ULVERSTONE has returned to Triathlon Tasmania’s state series for 2017.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
TT executive director Brady Butcher said a race had not been held in the North-West township for many years and that it’s comeback on February 19 would add diversity to the calendar.
The five-race series will start in Bridport on January 8 with an Olympic distance 1500-metre swim, 40-kilometre ride and 10km run course. A Trystars and sprint event will also be held.
“Bridport is always a good one because it’s got a real community feel to it, there are always people that turn out that you don’t see at a lot of other races,” Butcher said.
“Entries are open for all events except for Ulverstone, which is a new event this year. It has been a lot of years since there was a triathlon in Ulverstone and there is a fair bit of history around that event.
“People like Craig Walton (2000 Olympian) used to come and race around the tracks so it’s good to get some history back into the series.”
The state sprint championships will be held at Seven Mile Beach on January 15, which will double as one of three world qualifying events.
The Coles Bay half and sprint triathlons (March 4) and Devonport Olympic distance race (March 19) will also act as qualifiers.
“It’s good that people from interstate can come down to try and gain points to be able to race with the Australian team at world championships,” Butcher said.
“We’ve got a fair few upcoming juniors who are looking really hot at the moment leading into the season.
“People like Declan Smith and Ethan Stretton (Burnie).
“Ethan has just recently been with a few other juniors to Queensland for the first race of the Australian junior series. Hayden Armstrong is very competitive in the men’s event and will give the young ones a run for their money.
“Then you’ve got Kate Pedley, who is pretty hard to beat in the women’s category, but she will have a bit of competition from the likes of Emma Smith.”
Competitors will not only compete for line honours but for points, which determine the series’s junior, senior, veteran and open champions.
An athlete's three best point scores count towards their overall tally and entrants will be rewarded with bonus points for completing successive events.
For more information visit www.triathlon.org.au
STATE SERIES
- Race 1: Bridport Triathlon – January 8
- Race 2: Seven Mile Beach – January 15
- Race 3: Ulverstone Triathlon – February 19
- Race 4: Coles Bay Half Triathlon – March 4
- Race 5: Devonport Triathlon – March 18