This year 150 registered triathletes have taken part in the series
There are 14 TS1 boys and 13 girls, 34 TS2 boys and 21 girls, 21 TS3 boys and 19 girls and 17 male Youths and 11 females.
The first race kicked off at Odd Down circuit in Bath on 21 March, a purpose built cycle track untouched by road vehicle. The circuit measuring 1.5km which includes 2 hairpin bends and built on a slight slope. The TS1 and Youths enjoyed this event as part of their Series and the TS2 & 3’s competed here as their Duathlon Championship race.
Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset hosted the next race for TS1, 2 & 3’s and Youths on 26 April. This race takes place on closed roads along the sea front following a pool based swim and finishing along the promenade having run ½ the distance on the beach. This is an incredibly popular race due to its location and often entries close very early but this year 2/3 of the SW triathletes managed to secure a place in this race.
The Youths and the first SWS race for the Juniors took them to Cotswold Open Water Triathlon on 10 May and the TS1, 2 & 3’s headed to Gloucester on 17 May for a grass based triathlon at Sir Thomas Rich's School, Gloucester.
It was then Vale Tridents turn to host their own Triathlon at Faringdon Leisure Centre on 14 June for the TS1, 2 & 3’s.
On the 5 July the SW triathletes headed out of area to their IRC qualifier race at Dorney Lake where they raced among 1000 triathletes across the country for a place in the Team SW. There were at least 3 other Regions using this Human Race as a qualifier for the IRC’s and Team SW enjoyed 6 podium finishes including 3 firsts! This race also confirmed Niall Caley of Bad Tri as the TS3 boys overall winner and Ellie Hobbs of Yate Tri-Stars as the TS3 girls overall winner. Elliot Lassiter finished this event as the overall Series winner for the Male Youths.
The TS2 & 3’s and Youths completed their Series on 11 July in the Open Water Aquathlon off Portland and it was here that first year TS 2 Alexandra Palotai-Avella of Dorset Pentathletes confirmed her win for the Series. Both Benjamin Cumberland and Ryan Symington have finished on equal points for the TS2 boys. Florence Swan secured her overall win for the Series when she finished the race as the first SW female Youth.
Bad Tri’s will host the final race of the Series for TS1 at their Junior Triathlon on 18 July and whilst Joshua Cumberland is leading the Series it will be confirmed here whether he shares the win with Storm Munday or wins it outright. Taya Dee and Hannah Carter will battle it out for the Series winner.
Melanie Cumberland
TESW Junior Series Officer
