It was an immense weekend for Jackpot Racing this weekend. Results and a full write up on the National Triathlon Relays can be found here. Utterly superb racing.
Hopping to Austria, Cat Jameson was in action again at Challenge Walchsee middle distance. Cat finished 9th lady overall amongst a strong field including Lucy Gossage who finished 2nd. Cat’s swim was astounding – 24:18 over the 1900m – blowing the rest of the field away and setting off first onto the bike with an exceptionally fast time of 2:30:16. This is Cat’s 4th middle distance race this summer and only a week after winning the Olympic distance at Embrun last week. You are having an amazing season Cat.
Meanwhile in the UK, China Clarke took part in the 300 mile bike from Newcastle to London for Ride24. Having put in many, many miles of training for the ride, the Ride24 did not quite go to plan for China. Two punctures, then 165 miles in at 11.30 pm, China hit a pothole and now sports a deep gash (understatement) on his side. But he soldiered on after medical attention. Then PING, the chain snapped. Body sapped of energy and dehydration started to set in. At 295 miles, a vomiting episode and China finished by walking across the line. A story and a half – we just hope you are recovering well now China. Massive congratulations to you – you did it!
China – looking miles better than other photos we have seen!
A short update this week, with only two Jackpoters racing. Is this another lull before the storm of the forthcoming relays? Perhaps.
Neither Ben Garrard nor Kathryn Dickinson were in Utah. No, Ben took part in the Lake Stevens 70.3 which is in Washington and known as a gorgeous race venue and ideal for a family vacation, which is probably how Ben got it past the missus. He also got to meet a celebrity triathlete. Can you spot him? Answer below*
Once freed from the petticoat strings, Ben put in an excellent day’s effort. A 31:40 swim put him in 19th position in AG. One scenic cycle and not a little effort later, Ben was up into 14th place with a 2:45 bike. On to the run, Ben produced some consistent splits and even managed to negative split the latter stages for a 1:41 overall split, putting him in 16th AG and a decent 72nd overall!
Back in the UK, Kathryn was in action at the Salty Sea Dog triathlon (fresh from competing in her first Crit race during the week and finishing as first lady), starting on Boscombe Beach. The, obvious, sea swim gives way to a bike course with a short but steep climb up the cliff. The run, on the other hand, is pan flat along the prom. That comfortable run (if running can ever be comfortable) is just what Kathryn’s poorly ankle required, allowing her to place 6th lady and 1st Junior – Whoop, whoop.
Two Jackpoters were using racing as an excuse for a relaxing holiday in France this week. Catherine Emma Jameson managed to haul herself out of bed to record yet another win – that’s four on the trott – despite not really being there to race in the first place!
And Tom Bishop put some good names behind him when he romped to fourth place overall [we’ll overlook you racing for Versaille Tri instead of Jackpot , Tom ;-)] ahead of Vincent Luis and Aurelien Raphael and featuring a sub-16 5k run.
Here’s Cath’s description of race day…
“This morning my alarm clock went off at 4:30am as I decided to race the Olympic distance event out here in Embrun. I’m actually mainly here to support Joel who is racing EmbrunMan, the crazily hard full distance race here on Saturday but I could not resist having a little hit out myself. The good news is that I raced hard and won, whoow.
“I actually surprised myself as I have just done three races on the trot and had ten days since my last race in which I travelled out to Annecy to fit in a hard, short training block. The race today was amazing in many ways. I lead right from the start which is always a bonus for me, even though I feel like I’m looking over my shoulder at times!
“The swim was pancake flat, the bike was ridiculously hilly and the run was really pretty round the lake. The best part of the race though was the amount of support out on the course. Where did all the people come from?! There were massive crowds lining the roads.. Literally packed in, even on the 16km climb out of Embrun.
“It was so refreshing having people around and it definitely made me lift my game when everyone is cheering you on, in French of course. It was a fun morning and I’m sure I’ll do again even if it’s just so I can rack my bike in a crazy way (see picture).. Only in France! I can now relax a little for a day or so and help Joel out preparing for the big one!”
Allerthorpe (in the words of Chris Brown): ‘Despite the poor forecast during the week, it turned out to be a lovely day. Water temperature a balmy 20-degrees. This smash-fest nearly turned to disaster, though, when the marshal at the run turn-point, having just one simple job to do, failed to do it. Mika (leading) and the William Atkinson (second) were told to go on to the next junction. When I arrived, I was told the same. With my distaste for running, I know exactly how far I’ve gone, and knew that was the turn around. Nevertheless bashed on in an ever darker mind set.
One minute later the chief marshal is driving towards me indicating to go back! So I turned and legged it towards the lake, trying not to spit feathers as I see the guy in fourth closing on me and now having just ‘gained’ 400m on me out of the blue. Mika reeled me in on the last half click, but William didn’t, so I stopped one metre short of the line to wait and let him claim his proper position – I’d done an extra 400m but they’d gone more like 1km. You should have heard the cacophony of people shouting to me that I hadn’t crossed the line and seen the incomprehension when I told them, “I know!”. Mind you, if Mr Fourth Place had shown his face, I’d have been over in a shot!
1st Over 50 for me (chocolates) and 3rd overall (wine)
1st overall for Mika (“I’m taking both anyway”) Brown
Super Sprints are the future.’
Claire Pickersgill also took to the stage in the standard race. Heading out of the water in 8th, absolutely smashed her way through the bike popping a supersonic 64 minutes over the 40k into 2nd position onto the run. Claire finished seconds behind 3rd after a niggling hamstring injury which has stopped her running for a good few months this year. Claire was second in age group. I would love to say Claire won a free holiday, just because Chris won choccies and wine ;-). Fantastic racing all of you 🙂
Claire out on the run section of the standard distance at Allerthorpe
Chocs away! Chris and Mika podium at Allerthorpe.
Down at Eton Dorney, Andrew Whiteley raced at the Para Tri as the guide for the infamous Haseeb Ahmad in the elite section of the race. The event is the first of it’s kind with mass non able athletes participating in different races and distances. Andrew and Haseeb WON! The race will be shown on Channel 4 in September…we will keep you posted on when!
Haseeb and Andrew at the Para Tri event at Eton Dorney..with a WIN!
And it does not end there…all the way from New Zealand we have Craig Boggon who finished 2nd in the Gibbs Hill Challenge race on the northern tip of the South Island – a bike-run-bike! Craig gives his account of the race below – get comfy kids, you are in for a good read:
‘I was fortunate enough to gain one of only 70 entries to The Gibbs Hill Challenge (due to damage on the course), a 23km cycle followed by 21km off-road run and ending with a 23km cycle back to the start. The run was held around the Abel-Tasman national park. And boy did it deliver! Unfortunately only 59 turned up which spoilt a fantastic day for those on the waiting list!
In the last few days the weather has been extremely poor winter finally seems to have arrived here in NZ after a very warm July! The preceding days saw hail, gales, rain, thunder and snow! And on Friday this happened on/off all day!
Stark contrast this morning was glorious not a cloud in the sky, but with the temperature change over the last few days this meant a heavy frost! So required caution when cycling around the windy coast line!
The roads in the Golden bay are lovely though there storm drain placements are questionable, one such caused my water bottle to go over board 4km into the race! This meant having water at the two aid stations along the magnificent run. Being a national park I didn’t want to leave rubbish so in my cool down I found it again. NZ like to make things different as well as the alternative order of racing the last 3km of the bike was along unsealed surface which made for a fun choice of paths when bunch cycling! I was in the second pack of cyclists there were some pure cyclists sharing the race (for part of the team event). It was only the technical bends (as well as the hesitancy of not knowing the road, ice and grit!) that kept me behind the first group otherwise on the flats and hills (up hill) I was with the first group.
Again NZ like to do things differently transition was the normal car park at the end of the dirt road, as I had no support the organisers took my shoes to change into. After resting my bike in a bush I collected my shoes from the organisers car and set about the run! As soon as I hit the run I was in my element these trails are so well established here and this trail had less awkward stones than the Routeburn or Milford tracks so it was kinder on my feet! The run wound round the hill side tempting you with beautiful views and when trees cleared it was breath taking blue skies and seas! Not to mention encompassing a couple deserted golden beaches! I quickly caught everyone up bar one individual who was 10 minutes ahead at the second check point and 8 minutes at the third and final check point on the run.
The ascent to Gibbs hill was gradual and when at the tip I could see right along the farewell spit and across Golden Bay. The descent was long, steep and harsh but all run able. Overall it was crucifying on my calf’s! I hit the bike and held my 2nd position on what seemed a little more familiar a road still taking caution on the gravelled bends and those that hadn’t seen the sun. I was continually changing gears to nurse the encroaching cramp in both calf’s! Over all I finish in second 10 minutes behind first place. A phenomenal race, lovely organiser and the scenic photography etched in my brain it might make a new favourite race!’
Last, but certainly not least, David Bishop and Kieran Hill both headed down to London. Ignoring the advice that Super Sprints are the future, David and Kieran entered the Elite Standard Distance instead. In an exciting race, David came third overall, with Australian Peter Kerr taking top honours. Well, at least it shows an Aussie can win something if they get lucky 🙂
Kieran finished 30th overall and 20th in his age group and went sub 2 hours in a time of 1:58:13 – tremendous going chaps!
Good evening from the Jackpot camp where all eyes were on our elites this weekend across the very large pond in Rio!
Adam Bowden and Tom Bishop took displayed awesome performances as part of the bid to be selected for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Adam stormed to 12th position, seconds behind Alistair Brownlee, and Tom Bishop followed Adam in 90 seconds behind and with a supersonic swim. Nice work chaps 🙂
Whilst Gomez who claimed gold and also an automatic place in the Spanish team at the Olympics, automatic entry for the Brits requires the athletes to podium at two ITU races this year. The race is on for the GB team….
