Triathletes take to the podium

BALLARAT Triathlon Club members are swimming, running, and riding high after returning from the World Triathlon Multisport World Championships held late last month.

Six BTC athletes competed across six of the 19 events at the Townsville-based competition which ran for 10 days and saw 4500 participants.

The club secured three wins in the top and seven top 10 spots.

Ballarat newcomer Lesley West took first place her bracket’s standard duathlon and long-distance triathlon, competing in the 40 to 44 age group.

“It was a great week of racing,” West said. “I went to Townsville hoping for an age group win in the duathlon and a podium in long course.

“So, to get the gold medal in both events has really made all of the very early starts and hard training sessions worth it.

“I’ll take a couple of weeks’ rest now before starting my build to the Ironman 70.3 World Champs in New Zealand in December.”

West was ranked second overall in the female age group out of 151 women in the standard duathlon female, and third overall out of 161 women in the long-distance triathlon.

Louise Wood, competing in the 25 to 29 age bracket, won third place in the aquathlon among fifth and sixth placings in the sprint duathlon and long-distance triathlon respectively.

Competing alongside her father Andrew, she said to represent her country for the first time on an international scale was gratifying.

“To make the podium in my first ever world championships was a proud moment and a dream come true,” she said.

“It’s something I’ll cherish forever and I’m so proud of the both of us. I get quite emotional…it was truly an incredible experience.

“I have been participating in triathlons for 15 years and I feel like I’m just getting started and these world championships have left me wanting more.”

Josh Dew placed fourth and fifth in the aquathon and cross triathlon respectively in the 35 to 39 category.

Competing in the 45 to 49 category, Ben Fahy was 12th in the sprint duathlon, while 60 to 64 bracket athlete Andrew Wood took 12th and 14th in the standard and long-distance triathlons respectively.

Stephen Oliver placed ninth in the aquabike event’s 65 to 69 year old category.