Brooks Fun Tri Series 09/10
Season 09/10 Wrap-up
Congratulations to all participants of the Brooks Fun Tri Series for the 2009/10 Series. We would like to wish everyone the best of luck for next season's event especially for those that are going up an age group or making the transition into the Gatorade Triathlon Series. The Series showcased Melbourne weather in its true form with a mixed bag of weather evident across the 6 races of the Series. Nevertheless, spirits always remained high and the atmosphere of the event always made hosting the events enjoyable as event organisers.
Race 1
The opening race of the new season is always fun! This is for a number of reasons, be it all the first timers running around, the re-ignition of friendships/rivalries, the new gear being worn and ridden or simply for the fact that the warm summer months are approaching. The opening race of the new season was no different, except for the fact that it began in soggy conditions at St.Kilda's Catani Gardens when the heaven's opened and dropped 30mm of rain in the 12hours before race start! As a result, the swim was replaced with a run, which suited
The rain continued to bucket down and the wind get stronger stronger by the minute and full credit must go to every competitor who put their head down and worked their way through it all. These conditons either make or break athletes, but judging by the spirit and excitement that race 1 created, breaking was never going to be the case, Season 2009/10 had started and started with a BANG!
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The bleak clouds hung over Catani Gardens for Race 1.
Race 2
The festive cheer was in full swing at Elwood for Race 2, and with the improvement of the weather, made for a great day to swim, ride and run. Australia's own Olympic & World Triathlon Champion Emma Snowsill was there to watch the racing and view first hand the calibre of young up and coming triathlete's that Victoria has to offer.
Race 3
Sandringham hosted the Olympic Distance Race and saw some sensational racing over the longer course in absolutly pristine conditions. The Brooks distances were set 250m/8km/2.5, however a lot of competitors hadn't planned on the extra 500metres run up the hill following the swim. They shouldn't feel bad however, as that hill has claimed some very well known and experienced triathletes over the years also. Two youngsters, Jarrod Lindsay-King and Sascha Bondarenko-Edwards, who both had graduated from competing in the Brooks event in season 08/09, fought out an amazing finish in the Gatorade Sprint Event, seperated by only 0.08 seconds.
Gatorade Sprint competitors, Sascha Bondarenko-Edwards (left) & Jarrod Lindsay King (right) make the lunge for the line. Lindsay-King won by 0.08 seconds!
Race 4
Anyone who was able to sleep properly in the week leading up to race 4 was extremely lucky, as the heat wave that stretched across Victoria drained every athlete preparing to make another assult on the Elwood course. The heat wave kept up it's end of the bargin, and throw in the stiff wind that accompanied it, ensured that racing conditions were stiffling and difficult to say the least! With Gatorade and water being consumed by the mega-litre, athletes pushed their physical and mental threshold's and all came out the victor!
The swealtering conditons meant all athletes couldn't wait to get into the water!
Race 5
The Series travelled down the Princess Highway to a very special triathlon course - Portarlington. The event was amazing in every sense of the word. The racing, the course, the atmosphere, the crowd support & the weather made this an event to remember for many years. Being in its 24th year, it would be hard to top such a great event, yet the '10/11 season has some big plans in store to celebrate its 25th Anniversary. Brooks competitors new to the Portarlington course would have loved tackling the famous stairs at the end of the swim leg just to get to their bike, but once that's done, the finish line feels likes its just around the corner!
Race 6
A return to where it all started at Catani Gardens, St.Kilda, Race 6 was the climax of the season. The conditions (unlike Race 1) were good for triathlon, however everyone had to be switched on as wind gusts threatened to derail some competitors. Not having completed the swim course in race 1, Brooks competitors would have loved the splash and dash course before getting onto the flat and fast bike course. For most, finishing their first full season as a Brooks Series competitor is a very rewarding and pround moment, with many already committing to sign up for the 2010/11 season. But while most will stay, others will find the lure of taking the next step up and tackle the Gatorade Series, with the longer distances well in their sights of dominating them for another season.
We look forward to seeing you for the 2010/11 Season, which will be launched on the 1st September 2010.
To subscribe to the official 2010/2011 Event Newsletter, click HERE
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