Where to start…

…ETON Sprint, an ITU qualifier for Chicago baby, where a few of our Jackpotters took to the scene on Saturday 23 May.  We had two top 10s in the overall position in the mens race: Kieran Hill blasted around the course in 1:02:30 and Mika cruised in seconds behind in 1:02:39. They came first and second respectively in their age group – Kieran gained 40 seconds on the swim over Mika, cancelled one another out on the bike.  Mika suffered cramp in T2 and could not get his left shoe on and lost 11 seconds but pulled back 22 seconds on the first run lap but Kieran dug in to just beat Mika.

Chris Brown was 6th in age group and put in the fastest bike split of his age group, meaning Chris will be traveling with Mika to Chicago to represent GB in the Worlds in September.

Kathryn Dickinson was a little robbed with a lost timing chip and popped an almighty 4th in Age Group position.

At the Bedford Priory Middle Distance race on Sunday, Andrew Whiteley, new to the distance, had a storming race collecting silver overall for his performance.  We understand that the swim was a navigator’s nightmare which Andrew led in and though he says he found the distance tough, his position would dictate otherwise! Great racing Andrew!

Then to the Lough Cutra Triathlon where Max Hazell scored a 2nd in the elite wave on the Olympic distance! So close to a win, Max is more than happy with his start to the season.  Max smashed out an amazing swim and his run!  Boy his run!  33 minutes for a 10k!

Tim Ashelford came 3rd overall in the Hertfordshire Triathlon over the standard distance and back in Yorkshire, the renowned freezing waters of the River Wharfe welcomed two Jackpotters to the Wetherby Triathlon (standard distance).  Alistair Cooke had a cracking race coming in with a 4th overall and Richard Knell-Moore 17th.  Seeing Richard’s bike split on Strava, it was a mighty fast one 🙂

The race to the Jackpot podiums continues….

Funny how Adam Bowden’s favourite race is Yokohama…and this weekend he popped an absolute blinder at the 2015 ITU World Triathlon Yokohama.  Just one minute behind the winner Gomez, Adam had one of the fastest bike times of the entire race (and faster than Gomez!), placed 7th overall and was the 3rd Brit in for Great Britain. An absolutely stunning performance Adam!

Tom Bishop came out of the swim in the top 20 however had to leave the race after ‘not feeling right’…’I was sick in Yokohama. The day before I woke up feeling queasy and it went down hill from there. I thought I’d start to see how it went but I had no energy, took a battering in the swim and went on to get dropped on the bike. Coaches told me to pull out. Disappointing, but these things happen’.  Get well soon Tom 🙂 still a tremendous swim.

On to the ladies elite race and Heather Sellars took to the stage coming in at 43rd but only minutes from the winner Gwen Jorgensen and 2nd Briton home.  Heather suffered a kick to the ribs however which ‘ended’ her race and is now looking forward to a better race at Baku.

But we must head back to Blighty where more action was taking place in the Etape du Dales sportive and there was a little bottom envy happening:

Over at Epworth – we have a WIN!  Andrew Whiteley came out to play and destroyed the field at the Sprint distance triathlon over the 400m – 21k – 5k course, smashing out 4.50 swim, 29.39 bike and then an 18.07 run. Kieran Hill also claimed a podium at the Little Beaver Olympic qualifier placing 3rd in his age group (20-24).  We hear it was windy climes in Leicestershire, so great going!

Then another WIN! For Kieran Savage at the Tadcaster league road race on Thursday evening last week.  Kieran belted around the shortened course (was 10, decreased to 7.1 miles due to road works) in a supersonic 15.30!

The race to the podiums continues….

In the warmer and sunnier climes of Antalya in Turkey, three of our elites took to the clear waters and roads for the ETU Triathlon European Cup ending in some very nice results indeed.  In the men’s race, the top three places were taken by the Brits with Adam Bowden from Jackpot poaching a very strong second, seconds after Mark Buckingham.  David and Tom Bishop also made their presence be known with David claiming a top ten finish in 8th and Tom in 12th.  Tom had one of the fastest swims of the race as well as one of the fastest bikes.

The ladies were also triumphant with Hannah Drewett popping a top ten in 8th position and 2nd Brit home and Heather Sellars claiming a very strong 14th overall and 3rd Brit home.  We are also led to believe that the suntans picked up are also pretty good 🙂 (here’s hoping for Mallorca 70.3 next weekend)…

Over in Trowbridge and we have a PODIUM from Kieran Hill!  Kieran raced to bronze glory at the Trowbridge Big T Sprint Triathlon posting the fastest swim time of the day.  This was after participating in the BUCS Sprint Triathlon Championships where Kieran was placed 34th.  In the same race we have another top ten with Will Cowen taking 8th position and Kathryn Dickinson 37th in an extremely strong field of ladies.

Next stop…Mallorca 70.3 next weekend…Jackpot’s more senior athletes will be out to play…