TRIATHLON

Australia shines in Sardinia with Snowies showcase and age group world title

By In2Adventure

The 2015 International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cross Triathlon (X-Tri) Championships may be done and dusted, but the road to next year’s event has already begun with the official invite from In2Adventure at this year’s post-race presentation in Sardinia, Italy last week (26-27 September).

Australia’s premiere off-road event specialists, and hosts of the über popular TreX cross triathlon racing series, WERE on hand in Europe to officially invite the world to “Get Dirty Down Under” at the 2016 X-Tri Worlds to be held at Lake Crackenback in heart of the iconic Snowy Mountains of New South Wales in November next year.

Not only were In2Adventure founders and race directors Simon and Robyn Lazenby on hand to present a spectacular teaser trailer at the closing ceremony to entice athletes to make the journey to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time in the event’s five-year history, they were also along the race course cheering the elite and age group Aussies and Kiwis who made the start at this year’s event.
Australian Matilda Terry stole the show with a splendid time (3:06:04) over the 1500m swim, 31km mountain bike and 9.6km trail run to capture the 18- to 19-year-old age group world championship, while Kerrie Muir (50-54) took silver in her division.

“Every team member holds a special place in our hearts and especially to see one of our young TreX racers Matilda Terry take out the world championship in her age group was an amazing moment,” said Robyn Lazenby. “We have really been committed to the development of X-Tri in Australia and to see how the entire team raced and to see Matilda on top of the world champs podium was a real dream come true for us.


Photo courtesy of In2Adventure

“We would like to also make a special mention for Kerrie Muir, who missed her opportunity to be presented with her silver medal on the night,” she added. “To see her racing with such determination through the race you would have thought she was half her age and she definitely did her country proud.”
For the pros, TreX ambassadors Ben Allen (AUS), Jacqui Slack (GBR) and Renata Bucher (SUI) all finished inside the top 10. Allen, who was fresh off back-to-back Xterra wins in August, finished fifth behind winner – and defending champion – Ruben Ruzafa (ESP), while Slack and Bucher took fourth and eighth respectively behind women’s winner Flora Duffy (BER). New Zealand’s Elizabeth Orchard finished ninth.

“Not the result I was after, but gave it everything,” Allen posted on Twitter immediately following the race. “Couldn't [have] done it without the support from all the Aussies!”

According to Robyn Lazenby, Allen’s result was hard fought and should be commended.
“What can we say about our Aussie hero Ben Allen?” she said. “To finish fifth in the elite world championships is an amazing achievement.

“Then after such a tough race on Saturday, on Sunday he was travelling around the course encouraging and helping every one of our age group athletes.  

“You don't see that every day in the world of elite racing and this is a young man WHO has done his country proud and deserves every bit of support we can give him.”


Photo courtesy of In2Adventure

With the event now just 13 months away, In2Adventure has unveiled a Pathway Partner program designed to allow all interested athletes an opportunity to participate in this groundbreaking event.
The event marks the first time in the race’s five-year history that the world championships have been hosted in the southern hemisphere, with previous locations including Spain, US, Holland and Germany. The Pathway Partner program is ideal for those athletes looking to don the ‘green and gold’ and represent Australia on home soil.

Aside from promoting next year’s event while overseas in Italy, In2Adventure is already quickly connecting with clubs, coaches and squads throughout Australia who will be hosting training and development programs aimed at helping competitors qualify. 

There are even opportunities on the official In2Adventure website for those who offer training for cross triathlon including mountain biking, trail running or swimming and are interested in becoming a Pathway Partner.

“We would like to thank Sandro Salerno and the team from T-Natura who hosted this event for putting on such a great event and making us feel so welcome and giving us the opportunity to promote the 2016 world championships in Australia,” said Simon Lazenby.


Photo courtesy of In2Adventure

“We were so overwhelmed by the level of excitement from athletes frhttps://youtu.be/EKTd-NSgqCsom across the globe at the opportunity to come Down Under.

“The deafening cheers as we presented the promotional video at the handover and closing ceremony was both humbling and extremely exciting as we look forward to November 2016.”

In2Adventure offers three TreX qualifying races prior to the worlds, with events in Victoria (28-29 November), New South Wales (28-29 February) and Queensland (16-17 April). 
Watch teaser trailer here.