Last weekend Team Ireland athletes were in action at the Europe Triathlon Multisport Championships, Pamplona and at the World Triathlon Para Series Yokohama. Another busy weekend lies ahead with a team of five in Olsztyn, Poland for the Europe Triathlon Cup.
Tom Williamson got his season of to a strong start, equalling his best performance at the level for fifth in the PTS5 category. Speaking after the race Tom said; “Tough conditions made it a hard race from the start, and navigating the bike course definitely wasn’t easy. I was happy to get out on the run in second, but didn’t quite get the chance to show the run form I’ve been building over the winter.
“Now it’s back to focussing on the finer details ahead of Taranto WTPS in a few weeks.”
In their first event since picking up bronze in Devonport, Chloe MacCombe and Aoibh Clarke had a fourth place finish in the women’s PTVI category. Conditions on the day were challenging, as Chloe outlined after the race; “With tough weather conditions to contend with, I feel myself and Aoibh put in a solid performance in Yokohama. Although a bit disappointing to be so close to the podium and knowing where previous seconds were lost – I’ve come away hungry for more. I’ve alot more to give in races and I’m excited to see what’s next!”
Full results from Yokohama can be found HERE.
Ralf Bodamer had his season opener at the Europe Triathlon Aquathlon Championships Pamplona, finishing 17th in the large field.
“I’m happy to return to international racing after a year dealing with injury. Nice to switch things up and take part in the aquathlon event, still very tough despite missing the bike leg! I’m motivated to build on this result in a months time when I race again.”
Full results can be found HERE.
Russell White followed up his eighth placed finish in Challenge Gran Canaria last month with another top ten finish in Pamplona. White discusses the differences of racing across middle distance saying, “During my short course career I was so used to racing for Ireland, compared to the new challenge of representing myself in middle distance. It was an honour and privilege to represent Ireland once again at the European Middle Distance Championships.
“It was only my third middle distance and still on a very steep learning curve. If I’m being honest have yet to train specifically for the distance with spending my winter prepping for Abu Dhabi relay and being at altitude on a road bike with the Irish short course contingent so I feel I have so much improvement to come if I properly shift my focus to middle distance.
“I was kind of satisfied with eighth as it is still my highest ever European Championship finish (after 15th in Glasgow 2018). I sat in sixth until three kilometres to go when the extremely hilly cobbled run course took its toll, some 26% gradient hills softened up the legs. Nutrition is a new and very difficult aspect to navigate for middle distance, as it is nearly a fourth discipline for everyone. My Crohn’s condition makes it much more challenging to fuel successfully and absorb everything I am taking on board so it’s going to be my achilles heel for long course racing, which I am very interested to learn to get right going forward.
“It was nice to still keep all my middle distance races sub 4 hours. Really enjoying the change and challenge and love that with 16 years of experience in triathlon there is still so much to learn.”
Full results can be found HERE.
Olsztyn represents the first European Triathlon Cup of the 2025 season for Irish triathletes. A team of five, three women and two men, will line-up on Saturday, 24th May to race one of the most established courses on the circuit.
Full start lists can be found HERE.
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