http://san-diego.triathlon.org en webmaster@triathlon.org Copyright ITU 2013 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/winners_of_asics_shoes_announced http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/winners_of_asics_shoes_announced#When:02:35:45Z 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age-group_athletes_bask_in_multisport_successes_at_mission_beach http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age-group_athletes_bask_in_multisport_successes_at_mission_beach#When:02:35:45Z Photo: Paul Phillips | Competitive Image The birthplace of triathlon was host to competitors drawn to the sunny skies and the stand-out venue of the 2013 Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego, which welcomed more than 1,800 age-groupers from 15 countries to Mission Beach on Saturday. The age-group event was again held in conjunction with the second stop of the 2013 International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Series circuit. Many athletes, like Sean McLean, 24, of Staten Island, N.Y., made the trip to the mecca for multisport simply for the experience. "I love it here," McLean said. "I chose the race because of the ITU competition and beautiful scenery." Cam Loos, 41, is a local San Diegan and participated in the race last year, winning the men's military division as a member of the U.S. Navy. He has been participating in triathlon for 18 years but says this particular event will be one he won't forget. "Certainly when you PR on an Olympic-distance course it's going to be one of your favorites," he said. "I'll remember this one for a long, long time." New to the event this year was the Fiesta Island World Record Contest, allowing athletes with the fastest times on the Fiesta Island loop to call themselves "world record holders" in defined age categories. "If you're really competitive the bike course is great because you can always keep track and see if people are going to catch you," said Erin Hunter (27, San Diego, Calif.). "It was flat and fast and entertaining. There were a lot of turns, so you always had to stay engaged." Another new addition is aquabike, a growing swim-bike race format for those who want to participate in multisport events without a run portion. "I'm so happy that you had the aquabike this year," said Rose Thompson (68, Santa Barbara, Calif.), who volunteered at this race last year. "I loved it; the course was well-marked and the volunteers were great." The volunteers were an essential part of the race weekend, from the elite women's race on Friday throughout the day on Saturday. "The biggest thing was I was impressed with the volunteers all across the board ... spectators that didn't know me but cheered me on," said Jeanne Reincke (51, Long Beach, Calif.). Though the athletes flocked to Mission Beach in part for the chance to challenge themselves against an international field, the race also provided... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/alistair_brownlee_cruises_to_omegawave_world_triathlon_san_diego_victory http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/alistair_brownlee_cruises_to_omegawave_world_triathlon_san_diego_victory#When:02:35:45Z London 2012 Olympic gold medalist Alistair Brownlee of Great Britain closed with a remarkable 10-kilometer run split to cruise to the elite men’s victory at Saturday’s Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego at Mission Beach. After exiting the water second — behind American Tommy Zaferes (Santa Cruz, Calif.) — and pushing the pace for much of the bike, Brownlee took charge of the race on the first lap of the run. The two-time ITU world champion secured the win thanks to a 29 minute, 30 second run split to finish with at time of 1:47:16 on the 1,500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run course. South Africa’s Richard Murray was second in 1:47:38 for his second straight podium finish in San Diego, and Portugal’s Joao Silva took third in 1:47:52. Matt Chrabot (Virginia Beach, Va.) finished as the top American and 14th overall to claim his second career USA Triathlon Elite National Championships title — and first since 2009 — with a 14th-place finish in 1:49:23. Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego (1,500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run) 1. Alistair Brownlee (GBR), 1:47:16 2. Richard Murray (RSA), 1:47:38 3. Joao Silva (POR), 1:47:52 4. Steffen Justus (GER), 1:48:14 5. Mario Mola (ESP), 1:48:18 6. Adam Bowden (GBR), 1:48:22 7. Dmitry Polyanskiy (RUS), 1:48:28 8. Javier Gomez (ESP), 1:48:38 9. Sven Riederer (SUI), 1:48:47 10. David Mcnamee (GBR), 1:48:54 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/paratriathletes_shine_at_caf_world_paratriathlon_san_diego http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/paratriathletes_shine_at_caf_world_paratriathlon_san_diego#When:02:35:45Z Nearly 50 paratriathletes from five different countries participated Saturday in the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) World Paratriathlon San Diego, the first of three international paratriathlon races offered by the International Triathlon Union in 2013. The race helps to set the stage for athletes who already have their sights set on the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where paratriathlon will make its debut on the Paralympic program. “I love that our sport is starting to get a little more credibility,” said Patricia Walsh, a TRI-6 competitor from Austin, Texas. “What I see is the numbers have doubled in the past two years, so I think what’s happening is we’re starting to get some of those really elite athletes from other sports and disciplines like Paralympic swimming, Paralympic cycling. As a result, we’re seeing our competition really take a big jump, which I think we all wanted. It’s really a fantastic time to be in paratriathlon.” A number of athletes are just starting to shift their focus to triathlon, with the USA Paratriathlon National Championships set for late May and the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships in London in September. Aaron Scheidies, another TRI-6 athlete who hails from Seattle, Wash., just finished the Boston Marathon on Monday before jumping into his first multisport event in San Diego. “It’s good to be back,” Scheidies said of his return to triathlon. “It’s good to race on the paratriathlon circuit, and it’s a good start on the road to Rio.” Paratriathlon has made great strides as a sport in recent years, but the athletes are still limited on the number of races featuring international-level competition in the U.S. Having one of just nine races on the ITU schedule here at home is special for local athletes. “I’m from San Diego, so it’s a big deal,” said Jamie Brown (TRI-5, Carlsbad, Calif.) “That in conjunction with Gwen winning yesterday, it’s an awesome experience for all of USA Triathlon. It was great – a lot of the ITU races are hard for my family to get to, so I have a lot of support here. It was a great chance for them to come and see me race here, and I couldn’t ask for anything better.” In addition to CAF’s role as a Title Sponsor for the race, the foundation also had members of its new elite paratriathlon team in attendance. Over the... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/american_gwen_jorgensen_runs_to_omegawave_world_triathlon_san_diego_win http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/american_gwen_jorgensen_runs_to_omegawave_world_triathlon_san_diego_win#When:02:35:45Z Photo: Paul Phillips | Competitive Image   United States Olympian Gwen Jorgensen grabbed the lead in the final mile of the run to claim the first victory for an American woman in International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Series history Friday at the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego in Mission Beach. Jorgensen (St. Paul, Minn.) covered the 1,500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike and 10-kilometer run course in 1 hour, 59 minutes, 59 seconds to earn her third career World Triathlon Series podium finish and first career USA Triathlon Elite National Championships title. Great Britain’s Non Stanford edged Emma Moffatt of Australia for second place with both athletes finishing in 2:03:03. Jorgensen got off to a strong start with a top-10 effort on the swim. She rode with the chase pack throughout the 40k bike and took to the run 70 seconds behind the leaders, which included fellow U.S. Olympian Sarah Groff (Hanover, N.H.), who led a four-woman breakaway on the bike. Jorgensen steadily chipped away at the leaders on the run before catching and passing Moffatt on the last of the three laps. She finished with a race-best 33:10 10k split. Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego (1,500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run) 1. Gwen Jorgensen (USA), 1:59:59 2. Non Stanford (GBR), 2:00:03 3. Emma Moffatt (AUS), 2:00:03 4. Anne Haug (GER), 2:00:06 5. Jodie Stimpson (GBR), 2:00:31 6. Andrea Hewitt (NZL), 2:01:22 7. Sarah Groff (USA), 2:01:27 8. Barbara Riveros Diaz (CHI), 2:01:41 9. Ashleigh Gentle (AUS), 2:01:46 10. Juri Ide (JPN), 2:01:56 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/2013_omegawave_world_triathlon_san_diego_coverage_guide http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/2013_omegawave_world_triathlon_san_diego_coverage_guide#When:02:35:45Z Follow all the action this weekend from the 2013 Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego. Click here for the full schedule of events. Television The elite men's and women's races will be televised live in the United States on Universal Sports Network and UniversalSports.com. The women’s race will air Friday, April 19, from 6:30-9 p.m. Eastern (3:30 Pacific), followed by the men’s event on Saturday, April 20, from 7-9:30 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m. Pacific). Locally in the San Diego area, a one-hour highlight broadcast of the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego will air on CBS 8 (KFMB-TV), Sunday, April 28 (4-5 p.m., PDT). Live Stream Watch live online at http://triathlonlive.tv/ USA Triathlon members can receive a 20% discount on new season passes. Visit usatriathlon.org and login to your account for code. Twitter @triathlonlive: live updates from the elite races @WTS_sandiego: live photos from the elite races @ITUonline: updates from San Diego and all ITU events @USATlive: live updates from the elite races and photos from Saturday's age group races Follow #WTSsandiego for all updates from the weekend. You can also share your photos on Instragram using this tag. Facebook Follow news and share your photos from the races on our Facebook page here. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/omegawave_world_triathlon_san_diego_pre-race_quotes http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/omegawave_world_triathlon_san_diego_pre-race_quotes#When:02:35:45Z Untitled Document Sarah Groff (United States): On changing strategy after London: “I think whether or not you got to go to the (Olympic) Games, there’s a down period when you need to regroup and think in terms of a quad. I definitely went back home and took my down time and realized it wasn’t a sustainable model for me long term to be living out of my suitcase nine months out of the year.” On racing in San Diego: “You go to these places, and you can see the host country athletes, they feel a sense of pride. Like, ‘This is a great venue, this is my country. Welcome to the U.S.’ I come here, and last year everyone walked away thinking, man, the U.S. is pretty sweet. You go outside, the weather’s great. It’s one of the biggest triathlon towns in the world.” “The fan support is amazing, the participation levels are high, people actually know what triathlon is, but more than anything people think it’s an incredible town.” Alistair Brownlee (Great Britain): On his Olympic experience: “I think one of the special things about the Olympics is, obviously triathlon is a fantastic sport and love it as much as we do, it is really only a niche sport, especially in Britain. The Olympics kind of catapulted it out of that niche category.” “The last four years have been very focused on that Olympic medal in London, and rightly so. You only get that chance once to race in a home Olympics, and that’s what I wanted to do and achieve.” Matt Chrabot (United States): On what drives him: “Having success in the sport of triathlon is what really drives me, and thanks to the support of USA Triathlon; they give me the funding to go out and go to some of the best camps and work with some of the best coaches in the world.” Felicity Abram (Australia): On the triathlon lifestyle: “It does take a long time to adjust. When I was younger, I didn’t like it at all. But I think as you get older, you get used to it, and you get used to making friends and especially in different parts of the world, and I think I’m used to being away from home. Yes, I miss my family a lot, but I cherish the moments when I’m back home. It’s a lifestyle, but it’s a lifestyle I enjoy.” USA Triathlon CEO Rob Urbach: “[San Diego] is the birthplace of the sport — as the legend goes right out there on Fiesta Island... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/worlds_top_triathletes_headed_to_mission_beach_for_this_weeks_omegawave_wor http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/worlds_top_triathletes_headed_to_mission_beach_for_this_weeks_omegawave_wor#When:02:35:45Z San Diego 2013 Previewt A world-class elite field featuring nearly 50 competitors from last summer’s Olympic Games — including the men’s gold and silver medalists — is slated to race at this weekend’s Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego on Friday and Saturday in Mission Beach, Calif.    One of just eight International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon Series events around the globe in 2013, the second edition of the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego welcomes an Olympic-caliber group of athletes competing on a historic course adjacent to the birthplace of the sport. The women’s elite race is set for 3:30 p.m. Pacific Friday, followed by the men at 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free for spectators, and the races will be televised live on the Universal Sports Network and UniversalSports.com. The action kicks off with the elite women’s event Friday, headlined by Germany’s Anne Haug, who already owns wins at this year’s Mooloolaba ITU World Cup and the ITU World Triathlon Series season opener in Auckland. Haug was seventh last year in San Diego. U.S. Olympians Sarah Groff (Hanover, N.H.), who was fourth in London, and Gwen Jorgensen (St. Paul, Minn.), who owns two career runner-up finishes in ITU World Triathlon Series action, headline seven American women on the start list.   Australia’s Felicity Abram enters the San Diego event fresh off a third-place finish in Auckland. New Zealand’s Andrea Hewitt, who finished third in the series rankings a year ago, and Chile’s Barbara Riveros Diaz also are athletes to watch. Visit triathlon.org for a complete women’s start list. Saturday’s men’s event will feature the first meeting between Great Britain’s Alistair Brownlee and Spain’s Javier Gomez since they took gold and silver, respectively, at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Gomez is coming off a win in Auckland earlier this month, while Brownlee will make his 2013 season debut. Matt Chrabot (Virginia Beach, Va.), Hunter Kemper (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jarrod Shoemaker (Clermont, Fla.), who have combined to win the last four USA Triathlon Elite National Championships, highlight the seven American men slated to compete. Switzerland’s Sven Riederer and South Africa’s Richard Murray return to San Diego after placing second and third at the 2012 event. Visit triathlon.org for a complete men’s start... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/challenged_athletes_foundation_named_title_sponsor_of_2013_world_paratriath http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/challenged_athletes_foundation_named_title_sponsor_of_2013_world_paratriath#When:02:35:45Z The San Diego-based Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) has been named the Title Sponsor of the 2013 CAF World Paratriathlon San Diego, slated for Saturday, April 20 in Mission Beach, Calif. CAF is a world leader in helping individuals with physical challenges get involved -- and stay involved -- in sports. Since 1994, more than $40 million has been raised and almost 7,000 funding requests from challenged athletes in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. CAF's outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year. One of just eight International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon Series events around the globe in 2013, the second edition of the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego will feature an Olympic-caliber elite field competing on a historic course adjacent to the birthplace of the sport. In all, 52 (28 men, 24 women) of the 110 athletes who competed at the 2012 London Olympic Games -- including three medalists -- are scheduled to toe the starting line in San Diego. The CAF World Paratriathlon San Diego will feature more than 50 paratriathletes competing in the same venue as the world's top elite triathletes. "Since our inception, the Challenged Athletes Foundation has been a leader in the paratriathlon movement, introducing hundreds of athletes to the sport and helping them to maximize their potential," said Virginia Tinley, Executive Director of CAF. "We are excited to have this opportunity to further the development and visibility of the sport within both the challenged athlete and the triathloncommunities."    Interest in paratriathlon is at an all-time high, and the sport continues to grow following a December 2010 announcement that it will debut at the Paralympic Summer Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. The 2013 ITU paratriathlon calendar, which includes the CAF World Paratriathlon San Diego, will cover at least nine cities on five continents, and includes a series of international and continental races. In addition to the elite races and the CAF World Paratriathlon San Diego, the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego features top-flight Olympic- and sprint-distance age-group races, as well as an Olympic-distance relay and an aquabike event, offering amateurs the chance to compete in the same epic venue as the world's best athletes. The 2013 Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego also serves as the USA Triathlon Club National Championships. Nearly 2,100 amateur... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/asics_named_official_apparel_partner_of_2013_omegawave_world_triathlon_san_ http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/asics_named_official_apparel_partner_of_2013_omegawave_world_triathlon_san_#When:02:35:45Z Leading designer and manufacturer of performance athletic shoes and apparel, ASICS America, has been named the Official Apparel Partner of the 2013 Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego, slated for April 18-20, 2013 in Mission Beach, Calif. Serving as the Official Apparel Partner of the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego for the first time, ASICS will provide gift certificates for a free pair of ASICS performance running shoes to the top 50 most-improved run split performances from last year's event among age-group competitors. Participants in both the Olympic-distance and sprint races are eligible. The 50 winners of a pair of ASICS performance running shoes will be determined based on percentage of improvement between their two times on the run course -- not the total difference in minutes/seconds -- from 2012-13. In addition, ASICS will support the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego with athlete, volunteer, medical and swim safety T-shirts, as well as apparel for event staff. One of just eight International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon Series events around the globe in 2013, the second edition of the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego will feature an Olympic-caliber elite field competing on a historic course adjacent to the birthplace of the sport. "ASICS and the ITU World Triathlon Series are leading brands among the world's best triathletes, and we are excited to have ASICS play a key role in the upcoming Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego," said Jamey Sunshine, Lagardère Unlimited Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships. "Given ASICS' strong presence and popularity within triathlon, we feel this partnership is an excellent match." The Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego is co-produced by USA Triathlon and the Hamburg, Germany-based UpSolut Sports AG and Lagardère Unlimited.  "ASICS is proud to be the Official Apparel Partner for such a prestigious competition and we look forward to beginning this exciting partnership," said Erik Forsell, ASICS America Vice President of Marketing. "This partnership further strengthens our existing presence within the triathlon space and truly demonstrates our passion and commitment across all sports." ASICS elite triathletes include 2012 Ironman World Champion Pete Jacobs as well as Andy Potts, who was the first American to cross the finish at the 2012 Ironman World Championship.  In addition to the elite and... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/beat_your_time_and_win_a_pair_of_asics_shoes http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/beat_your_time_and_win_a_pair_of_asics_shoes#When:02:35:45Z Think you have what it takes to beat your time from last May? Need a little extra motivation to sign-up again this year, or squeeze in some last-minute training miles before race day? If so, Asics is here to help. Asics, the Official Apparel Sponsor of the 2013 Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego, will provide a gift certificate for a free pair of Asics performance running shoes to the top 50 most-improved finishers on the run course from last year's event. Participants in both the Olympic-distance and sprint races are eligible. The 50 winners will be determined based on percentage (%) of improvement between their two times on the run (not the total difference in minutes/seconds).   It's that easy: sign-up*, lace up, train hard, race hard and take home more than just a finisher's medal! Winners will be notified by email. Gift certificates will be sent to the address listed in your race registration around May 10. Certificates can be redeemed up to 60 days after the event. Please allow 45 days once the certificate is mailed to Asics for processing. Limit one certificate per athlete.  Still need to register? Click here! *If you've already registered for the 2013 Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego, you're automatically eligible for this promotion. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/omegawave_world_triathlon_san_diego_names_local_partners http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/omegawave_world_triathlon_san_diego_names_local_partners#When:02:35:45Z Amtrak; Competitor Group, Inc.; Gatorade; GU Energy; Moment Cycle Sport and TYR Sport have been named official local partners of the 2013 Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego, slated for April 18-20, in Mission Beach, Calif. Offering a 30 percent discount on rail service from Los Angeles and Orange County to Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego participants, Amtrak is America's Railroad, the nation's intercity passenger rail service and its high-speed rail operator. A record 31.2 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2012 on more than 300 daily trains - at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) - that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Enjoy the journey at www.amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information. Competitor Group (CGI) is the active lifestyle industry's leading media and event entertainment company. The aggregate CGI customer base now exceeds 7 million endurance enthusiasts and athletes. CGI's portfolio of media assets span the full range of the expanding endurance industry and include a robust digital community on the web and on mobile across the Competitor Endurance Sports Network of websites. Visit www.competitorgroup.com for more information. Gatorade Endurance Formula is scientifically formulated to meet the specific needs of endurance athletes. It contains a five-electrolyte blend including nearly twice the sodium (200 mg) and more than three times the potassium (90 mg) compared to original Gatorade Thirst Quencher. Drink Gatorade Endurance Formula to help sustain hydration, help maintain proper fluid balance and help replace key electrolytes lost in sweat during long distance training and racing. For more information and availability, visit www.gatorade.com. GU Energy Gel is honored to be the official gel of the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego, and to support all the athletes participating at the event. GU provides easy to digest nutrition on-the-go, giving your body a quick boost and sustained energy to fuel you to the finish line. Learn more about the entire GU product line at www.GUenergy.com. Moment Cycle Sport returns as the Official Bike Mechanic Service of the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego. San Diego's only fit-first bike shop, Moment Cycle Sport leverages technology to enable its customers to reach the limits of their athletic potential. Moment Cycle Sport will provide bike mechanic support for athletes competing in the Omegawave World Triathlon San... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age_group_pre-race_webinar_now_available http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age_group_pre-race_webinar_now_available#When:02:35:45Z Click here to download the PowerPoint slides from the webinar. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/universal_sports_to_nationally_televise_2013_omegawave_world_triathlon_san_ http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/universal_sports_to_nationally_televise_2013_omegawave_world_triathlon_san_#When:02:35:45Z Universal Sports to Nationally Televise 2013 Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego LIVE This month’s Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego, which will feature an Olympic-caliber field of the world’s top triathletes, will be televised live in the United States on Universal Sports Network and UniversalSports.com on April 19-20. The women’s race will air Friday, April 19, from 6:30-9 p.m. Eastern, followed by the men’s event on Saturday, April 20, from 7-9:30 p.m. Eastern. Following the live telecasts, Universal Sports will air encore presentations of both races — the women on Saturday, April 20, at midnight and 1:30 p.m. Eastern; the men on Sunday, April 21, at midnight and 1:30 p.m. Eastern. Locally in the San Diego area, a one-hour highlight broadcast of the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego will air on CBS 8 (KFMB-TV), Sunday, April 28 (4-5 p.m., PDT). CBS 8 and parent company, the KFMB Stations, have been named the Official Local Media Partner for the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego. CBS 8 will air 30-second television promotional spots and sister stations, 100.7 JACK FM and 760 KFMB AM, will air 60-second radio advertisements.  Four of the six medalists from last summer’s Olympic Games — including the entire men’s podium — highlight the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego start list. London 2012 men’s gold medalist Alistair Brownlee of Great Britain, silver medalist Javier Gomez of Spain and bronze-medal winner Jonathan Brownlee of Great Britain are currently slated to compete. Australian bronze medalist Erin Densham headlines the women’s competitors. In all, 53 (29 men, 24 women) of the 110 athletes who competed at the 2012 London Olympic Games — including American stars Sarah Groff (Hanover, N.H.), Gwen Jorgensen (St. Paul, Minn.) and Hunter Kemper (Colorado Springs, Colo.) — are scheduled to toe the starting line in San Diego. The elite start lists are subject to change until race week. One of just eight International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon Series events around the globe in 2013, the second edition of the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego will feature an Olympic-caliber elite field competing on a historic course adjacent to the birthplace of the sport. In addition to the elite and paratriathlon races, the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego features top-flight Olympic- and sprint-distance age-group races, as well as an... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/usa_triathlon_elite_nationals_set_for_omegawave_world_triathlon_san_diego http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/usa_triathlon_elite_nationals_set_for_omegawave_world_triathlon_san_diego#When:02:35:45Z The 2013 edition of the annual USA Triathlon Elite National Championships, featuring the nation's top draft-legal, Olympic-hopeful triathletes, will be held in conjunction with the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego on April 19-20.  The first American male and female across the finish line in San Diego will be crowned the 2013 elite national champions. Sarah Haskins (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jarrod Shoemaker (Clermont, Fla.) captured the 2012 USA Triathlon Elite National Championship wins in Buffalo, N.Y. Posted this week, the elite start lists for the 2013 Omegawave ITU World Triathlon San Diego include 2012 U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team members Sarah Groff (Hanover, N.H.), Gwen Jorgensen (St. Paul, Minn.) and Hunter Kemper (Colorado Springs, Colo.), along with a number of additional top U.S. athletes. Visit triathlon.org for current men's and women's start lists, which are subject to change until race week. As of this week, 53 of the 110 athletes who competed at the 2012 Olympic Games in London's Hyde Park are on the San Diego start list. In addition to the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego prize purse, the top U.S. finishers can claim their share of a $10,000 Elite Nationals purse with $5,000 split among the top three male and top three female finishers. The 2013 USA Triathlon Under-23 National Championships will be contested within the June 2 Dallas ITU Pan American Cup. The top U.S. finisher age 23 or younger will earn the national title. USA Triathlon's Junior Elite and Youth Elite National Championships are slated for Aug. 3 in West Chester, Ohio. Additionally, USA Triathlon will host the draft-legal USA Triathlon Elite Sprint National Championships in the fall and will designate select 2013 events as Elite National Championships for pros competing in other race distances and disciplines. Complete race details will be announced in the near future.  2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/omegawave_san_diego_start_list_announced http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/omegawave_san_diego_start_list_announced#When:02:35:45Z 2013 Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego Start Lists Announced Four of the six medalists from last summer’s Olympic Games — including the entire men’s podium — highlight the start list for next month’s Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego, slated for April 18-20, in Mission Beach, Calif. London 2012 men’s gold medalist Alistair Brownlee of Great Britain, silver medalist Javier Gomez of Spain and bronze-medal winner Jonathan Brownlee of Great Britain are all currently on the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego start list, which was released earlier this week. Australian bronze medalist Erin Densham headlines the women’s competitors. In all, 53 (29 men, 24 women) of the 110 athletes who competed at the 2012 London Olympic Games — including American stars Sarah Groff (Hanover, N.H.), Gwen Jorgensen (St. Paul, Minn.) and Hunter Kemper (Colorado Springs, Colo.) — are currently slated to toe the starting line in San Diego. The women’s race is set for 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 19, followed by the men at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 20. Great Britain’s Jonathan Brownlee is the defending men’s champion, while Densham is the top returning women’s finisher on the start list after placing second in San Diego a year ago. The winners of the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego will claim a $20,000 prize purse, and the event’s top 20 men and top 20 women will earn prize money. Groff, who was fourth at the London Olympic Games, and Jorgensen, will be joined in the field by fellow Americans Anna Battiata (San Diego, Calif.), Moka Best (Salt Lake City, Utah), Brianna Blanchard (Boston, Mass.), Kaitlin Donner (Gainesville, Fla.), Beijing Olympian Julie Ertel (Irvine, Calif.) and Katie Hursey (Hampstead, Md.). Visit triathlon.org for a complete women’s start list. Joining the four-time Olympian Kemper, who was fifth in San Diego a year ago, in the men’s race will be U.S. athletes Matt Chrabot (Virginia Beach, Va.), William Huffman (Colleyville, Texas), Joe Maloy (Wildwood Crest, N.J.), Jarrod Shoemaker (Clermont, Fla.) and Tommy Zaferes (Santa Cruz, Calif.). Visit triathlon.org for a complete men’s start list. The elite start lists are subject to change until race week. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/omegawave_named_title_sponsor_of_2013_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/omegawave_named_title_sponsor_of_2013_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego#When:02:35:45Z Omegawave Named Title Sponsor of 2013 Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego Omegawave, a leader in physiological assessment technology, has been named the Title Sponsor of the 2013 Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego, slated for April 18-20, in Mission Beach, Calif. The Omegawave service, previously used only in professional sports, is a revolutionary physiological feedback tool that quickly, non-stressfully and non-invasively assesses an individual’s readiness for training. Utilizing the Omegawave ECG Sensor Belt and a mobile application the Omegawave service provides confidence to train hard when ready, and to rest when necessary. Until now, valuable data like this could only be obtained under laboratory conditions. The outcome is improved athletic performance, fitness and overall health. One of just eight International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon Series events around the globe in 2013, the second edition of the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego will feature an Olympic-caliber elite field competing on a historic course adjacent to the birthplace of the sport. “We are thrilled to partner with Omegawave as our Title Sponsor of ITU World Triathlon San Diego. We share a common vision to provide athletes with the proper tools and opportunities to achieve their goals and reach their fullest potential,” said Jamey Sunshine, Lagardère Unlimited Senior Vice President, Corporate Partnerships. “As the only ITU World Triathlon Series event in North America, we look forward to building a successful partnership while continuing to showcase the world’s best athletes in the birthplace of the sport.” The Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego is co-produced by USA Triathlon and the Hamburg, Germany-based UpSolut Sports AG and Lagardère Unlimited. “We are very excited to be the Title Sponsor of the 2013 World Triathlon San Diego. Supporting triathlon is a natural fit for Omegawave, and this San Diego event provides a unique opportunity to showcase our new service to all elite athletes and fitness enthusiasts, and together with the ITU, promote the growth of triathlon worldwide,” said Juha Pinomaa, CEO of Omegawave. In addition to the elite and paratriathlon races, the Omegawave World Triathlon San Diego features top-flight Olympic- and sprint-distance age-group races, as well as an Olympic-distance relay and an aquabike event, offering amateurs the chance to... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/elite_super_sprint_triathlon_event_coming_to_san_diego_on_april_24 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/elite_super_sprint_triathlon_event_coming_to_san_diego_on_april_24#When:02:35:45Z USA Triathlon, in conjunction with Fearless Races, is pleased to announce it will host the Fearless Pro Super Sprint Triathlon on Wednesday, April 24 at San Diego's Rose Marie Starns South Shore Park. An elite-level, super-sprint event is headed to scenic San Diego on April 24. This groundbreaking new format will provide a spectator-friendly event featuring the world's best elite triathletes, many of whom will have just competed at the April 19-20 International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon San Diego. The inaugural Fearless Pro Super Sprint Triathlon will be contested in a double super-sprint format, meaning every athlete will complete two continuous, non-stop circuits of the same course, each comprised of a 375-meter swim, 5-kilometer bike and 1.5-kilometer run. The women's final is slated for a 5:30 p.m. start, followed by the men's final at 6:30 p.m. The men's and women's fields will each consist of up to 30 athletes, vying for a total prize purse of $20,000, split equally among the men and women ($10,000 each field). The winners will pocket $2,500, with $2,000 going to the runners-up and $1,500 to the third-place finishers. The remaining $4,000 will be split among the other top-10 finishers per gender. Spectators will be able to take in the entire race with minimal movement, as the course features a one-lap bay swim, followed by a five-lap bike and a two-lap run. Rose Marie Starns South Shore Park is located at 598 Sea World Drive, across Mission Bay from Fiesta Island, the site of the world's first triathlon in 1974. "USA Triathlon is looking forward to partnering with Fearless Races to offer this unique super-sprint racing opportunity for U.S. and international athletes in San Diego. We are thrilled to be bringing this innovative format that features intense all-out racing and makes for a truly compelling spectator experience to the United States," USA Triathlon CEO Rob Urbach said. The event is open to all USA Triathlon-registered elite athletes, as well as international pros. A minimum of 50 percent of the field will be reserved for U.S. athletes with the aim of providing an avenue for the nation's emerging and Olympic-level triathletes to compete in the fast and furious super-sprint format to enhance draft-legal skills and race tactics. For more information on the event, visit usatriathlon.org. Athletes interested in competing, should submit race resumes online at f1tri.com. ... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_paratriathlon_event_added_to_world_triathlon_san_diego_slate http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_paratriathlon_event_added_to_world_triathlon_san_diego_slate#When:02:35:45Z The ITU World Triathlon San Diego, slated for April 18-20 in scenic Mission Beach, is pleased to announce that an ITU-sanctioned paratriathlon event hasbeen added to the already-exciting race weekend. The top paratriathletes from United States and around the globe will have the opportunity to compete in the same venue as the world’s top elites in San Diego on Saturday, April 20.  Athletes will compete in ITU classification categories and under ITU paratriathlon rules, and the ITU World Triathlon San Diego will count toward the annual ITU Paratriathlon Rankings. Visit triathlon.org for more on the sport of paratriathlon. Paratriathletes interested in competing in the ITU-sanctioned portion of the ITU World Triathlon San Diego must contact USA Triathlon’s Paratriathlon Program Manager Amanda Duke at amanda.duke@usatriathlon.org. All entries for ITU paratriathlon events must be processed through an athletes’ National Federation. In addition, USA Triathlon will host a Physically Challenged Open wave in the age-group sprint race for paratriathletes not wishing to compete under ITU paratriathlon rules. Interested competitors can register for the Physically Challenged Open sprint-distance race via Active.com. One of just eight ITU World Triathlon Series events around the globe in 2013, the second edition of the ITU World Triathlon San Diego will feature an Olympic-caliber elite field competing on a historic course adjacent to the birthplace of the sport. In addition to the elite races, the event features top-flight Olympic- and sprint-distance age-group races, as well as an Olympic-distance relay and an aquabike event, offering amateurs the chance to compete in the same epic venue as the world’s best athletes. The 2013 ITU World Triathlon San Diego also serves as the USA Triathlon Club National Championships. Nearly 2,100 amateur triathletes from ages 14 to 90 from 42 states and 16 countries competed at the 2012 ITU World Triathlon San Diego. Click here for more information on the 2013 event. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/receive_a_280_gear_package_through_bring-a-buddy_promotion http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/receive_a_280_gear_package_through_bring-a-buddy_promotion#When:02:35:45Z San Diego Bring a Buddy Promo If you are a returning competitor from last year and you register for the ITU World Triathlon San Diego 2013 between now and March 15 (or if you have already registered) -- and you recruit someone else to register and join the fun -- then you will EACH receive a XX2i Optics sunglass racing kit with two sets of spare lenses. As an added bonus for bringing a "Buddy," you also will receive an XX2i Optics backpack -- a total retail value of $280!  To qualify for the promo, you and your "Buddy" can simply follow the directions on the registration page when you sign-up for the event. If you have already registered, you do not need to do anything else except tell your "Buddy" to list your name as the person who referred him/her when prompted on screen. Perfect for storing all your essential race gear, the backpack includes an outside webbing (not pictured) for your helmet. Designed for both running and cycling, each racing sunglass kit comes in patriotic red, white and blue colors. The kit also features a tank protector case, one microfiber soft carrying bag, adjustable temple tips and adjustable nose pads for a secure fit. Outside Magazine named it "2012 Killer Value Sunglass" in their Gear of the Year Issue, and The Gear Institute named it "2012 Best Value Sunglass." XX2i Optics is distributed by RACE, which also distributes Rudy Project in North America. Be sure to sign up before the race entry fees increase on March 1.     Terms and conditions  Promo does not apply to Relay participants.The prize pack consists of two (2) XX2i Optics sunglass racing kits and one (1) XX2i Optics backpack. Participants must pick-up their gear package at the race expo during the event. ITU World Triathlon San Diego will not be responsible for shipping product to individual addresses. Only participants who competed in the 2012 ITU World Triathlon San Diego are eligible to "Bring A Buddy" for this promotion. Also, the registrant's "Buddy" (friend, relative, co-worker, etc.) must be a first-time competitor in the ITU World Triathlon San Diego (i.e. did not compete in 2012). The "Buddy" cannot be already registered at start of the promo (i.e. prior to Feb. 20, 2013). One promotional offer per registrant and/or "Buddy." Any individuals applying for the promotion will receive an email confirming they are, or are not,... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/usa_triathlon_hall_of_fame_banquet_slated_for_event_week http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/usa_triathlon_hall_of_fame_banquet_slated_for_event_week#When:02:35:45Z Top age-grouper Missy LeStrange, groundbreaking paratriathlete Jim MacLaren and the iconic Julie Moss comprise the fifth induction class of the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame, the multisport National Governing Body announcedtoday. The three inductees will be honored at a banquet Thursday, April 18 at the Bahia Resort Hotel in San Diego to open the ITU World Triathlon San Diego race weekend. Tickets to this exclusive event, which has sold out in each of the past four years, are on sale now via Active.com.  Individual tickets are on sale for $65 until March 19 and include access to a cocktail reception, dinner and the inductee presentation. Ten-seat corporate or sponsor tables also are available for $555 until March 19. After March 19, prices increase to $75 for an individual ticket and $750 for a 10-seat table. Information and registration questions should be directed to ellis.schieman@usatriathlon.org. For parking information, click here. (PDF)   Tickets will be available until April 14 or until the 250-attendee limit is reached. “We are honored to add these three remarkable individuals to the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame. They each played an instrumental role in elevating triathlon to where it is today,” said Chuck Graziano, chair of the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Committee. “It is fitting that we will induct these three multisport pioneers in San Diego — the birthplace of the sport.” The USA Triathlon Hall of Fame was founded in 2008, and this year’s class will bring the total number of inductees to 22. Visit usatriathlon.org for more information on the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame. About this year’s USA Triathlon Hall of Fame inductees: Missy LeStrange (Age-Group Triathlete) Introduced to triathlon by her masters swim coach, the legendary Dave Scott, Missy LeStrange went on to post a decorated career as an age-grouper following her first race in 1980. The three-time USA Triathlon Masters Triathlete of the Year (1994, 1995, 1997) honoree won 14 age-group titles at the Ironman World Championship, two USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship titles and an Olympic-distance age-group world title. LeStrange also served as a member of the USA Triathlon Age-Group Committee from 1992-97 and helped develop a number of organizational programs empowering youth, women, seniors and paratriathletes. She is currently a member of the USA Triathlon History Project. Jim MacLaren... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/2013_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_schedule_released http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/2013_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_schedule_released#When:02:35:45Z body p { font-size: 10px; font-style: italic; Sub1 { font-size: 10px; font-style: italic; } #cp_sitename{ border-right:1px solid #3D525F; color:#dadada; font-size:14px; float:left; padding:2px 10px 2px 0; margin:2px 10px 0 0; } #server-time{padding-bottom:9px} /* Float the EE link left */ div.helpLinksLeft p{color:#fff;} div.helpLinksLeft a { padding-top: 7px; display: block; float: left; }.itemWrapper .lightLinks { visibility:hidden; position:absolute; } #cp_sitename{ border-right:1px solid #3D525F; color:#dadada; font-size:14px; float:left; padding:2px 10px 2px 0; margin:2px 10px 0 0; } #server-time{padding-bottom:9px} /* Float the EE link left */ div.helpLinksLeft p{color:#fff;} div.helpLinksLeft a { padding-top: 7px; display: block; float: left; }.itemWrapper .lightLinks { visibility:hidden; position:absolute; } #cp_sitename{ border-right:1px solid #3D525F; color:#dadada; font-size:14px; float:left; padding:2px 10px 2px 0; margin:2px 10px 0 0; } #server-time{padding-bottom:9px} /* Float the EE link left */ div.helpLinksLeft p{color:#fff;} div.helpLinksLeft a { padding-top: 7px; display: block; float: left; }.itemWrapper .lightLinks { visibility:hidden; position:absolute; } #cp_sitename{ border-right:1px solid #3D525F; color:#dadada; font-size:14px; float:left; padding:2px 10px 2px 0; margin:2px 10px 0 0; } #server-time{padding-bottom:9px} /* Float the EE link left */ div.helpLinksLeft p{color:#fff;} div.helpLinksLeft a { padding-top: 7px; display: block; float: left; }.itemWrapper .lightLinks { visibility:hidden; position:absolute; } #cp_sitename{ border-right:1px solid #3D525F; color:#dadada; font-size:14px; float:left; padding:2px 10px 2px 0; margin:2px 10px 0 0; } #server-time{padding-bottom:9px} /* Float the EE link left */ div.helpLinksLeft p{color:#fff;} div.helpLinksLeft a { padding-top: 7px; display: block; float: left; }.itemWrapper .lightLinks { visibility:hidden; position:absolute; } #cp_sitename{ border-right:1px solid #3D525F; color:#dadada; font-size:14px; float:left; padding:2px 10px 2px 0; margin:2px 10px 0 0; } #server-time{padding-bottom:9px} /* Float the EE link left */ div.helpLinksLeft p{color:#fff;} div.helpLinksLeft a { padding-top: 7px; display: block; float: left; }.itemWrapper .lightLinks { visibility:hidden; position:absolute; } #cp_sitename{ border-right:1px solid #3D525F; color:#dadada; font-size:14px; float:left; padding:2px... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/fiesta_island_world_record_contest_unveiled http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/fiesta_island_world_record_contest_unveiled#When:02:35:45Z New this year -- show your speed on the bike loop around Fiesta Island! The fastest riders around the loop will earn the rights to call themselves Fiesta Island World Record Holders. Timing mats will record your splits for the Fiesta Island loop. Sprint  competitors will ride one loop around the island, and Olympic-Distance and Aquabike competitors will ride two with their fastest lap counting toward the contest rankings. Preview the Fiesta Island Loop   Awards will be given to the fastest athletes in the following categories: Male 13-39 Female 13-39 Male 40-59 (Masters) Female 40-54 (Masters Male 60+ (Grand Masters) Female 55+ (Grand Masters) Grab your bike and start building that cycling speed for your chance to win this one-of-a-kind award in the birthplace of triathlon! Click here for course maps. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_named_editors_choice http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_named_editors_choice#When:02:35:45Z Triathlete Magazine has listed the 2013 ITU World Triathlon San Diego as an Editor's Pick for the Country's Best Triathlons. One of only 22 races in the United States to receive this honor, San Diego offers a unique course, spectacular scenery and a rare opportunity to see the world's top triathletes battle it out in person. "History, convenience and a whole lotta world-class hoopla characterize the ITU San Diego Race. Set in triathlon's birthplace - Mission Bay - you'll waste no time on logistics with a short walk to the start from most race hotels. But don't hustle home after your finish; instead, grab a spot in the ample grandstands to witness the afternoon's marquee event, where the pros duke it out, draft-legal style." Triathlete Magazine February, 2013 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_to_host_high_school_championship_event http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_to_host_high_school_championship_event#When:02:35:45Z ITU World Triathlon San Diego to Host High School Championship EvenSAN DIEGO, Calif. — The second edition of the ITU World Triathlon San Diego, slated for April 18-20 in scenic Mission Beach, will hold a sprint-distance high school championship event for up-and-coming triathletes looking to compete in one of the nation’s marquee multisport races. Athletes from around the nation ages 13-19, who are affiliated with a high school triathlon program, are encouraged to register for the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, 5-kilometer run ITU World Triathlon San Diego High School Championships on Saturday, April 20. Teams interested in competing must contact Mark Mason (ampage@earthlink.net, 310-418-1590) prior to registering online at swhstc.com. The High School Championships will be team scored with five points going to the first-place finisher (both male and female), four points to second place, three points to third place, two points to fourth place and one point for each finisher in fifth place and beyond. All finishers will score at least one point for their respective team. The team compiling the most points will win the team title. A conference trophy also will be presented to the top team from the Southwest High School Triathlon Conference. Additionally, the top three male and female finishers will earn individual awards. One of just eight ITU World Triathlon Series events around the globe in 2013, the second edition of the ITU World Triathlon San Diego will feature an Olympic-caliber elite field competing on a historic course adjacent to the birthplace of the sport. In addition to the elite races, the event features top-flight Olympic- and sprint-distance age-group races, as well as an Olympic-distance relay and an aquabike event, offering amateurs the chance to compete in the same epic venue as the world’s best athletes. The 2013 ITU World Triathlon San Diego also serves as the USA Triathlon Club National Championships, which the high school teams are also encouraged to enter. Nearly 2,100 amateur triathletes from ages 14 to 90 from 42 states and 16 countries competed at the 2012 ITU World Triathlon San Diego. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/active_names_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_1_of_10_triathlons_to_do_in_2013 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/active_names_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_1_of_10_triathlons_to_do_in_2013#When:02:35:45Z Active.com has named the 2013 ITU World Triathlon San Diego a top triathlon to do for the upcoming year. With a bike course honoring the roots of triathlon, the 2013 event looks to build on the success of the inaugural event in 2012. View Active.com's full list of Triathlons to do in 2013 here. 2013 Age Group Bike and Run Course Video Tour The race venue/transition area is located in Mission Beach, while the swim consists of one lap in Ventura Cove. The bike portion will now head out from Mission Beach towards Sunset Cliffs, past Sea World, and features a loop around Fiesta Island, the site of the first-ever triathlon held in September 1974. This course returns to the original roots of triathlon leading up to the 40 year anniversary of the sport. The run portion is along the paths and streets of Mission Beach. Click here to register for the 2013 ITU World Triathlon San Diego. Age Group Olympic-Distance Course Click on each image to enlarge and download as a PDF. Swim: 1500m (1 lap) Bike: 40km (2 laps) Run: 10km (2 laps) Age Group Sprint Course Swim: 750m (1 lap) Bike: 20km (1 lap) Run: 5km (1 lap) Note: Course subject to change at any time. The 2013 Elite course will be the same as in 2012 and can be found here. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/uc_san_diego_sports_medicine_named_official_medical_partner_for_2013 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/uc_san_diego_sports_medicine_named_official_medical_partner_for_2013#When:02:35:45Z University of California, San Diego Health System’s Sports Medicine division has been named the Official Medical Partner of the 2013 ITU World Triathlon San DieUniversity of California, San Diego Health System’s Sports Medicine division has been named the Official Medical Partner of the 2013 ITU World Triathlon San Diego, slated for April 18-20, 2013, in Mission Beach. UC San Diego Sports Medicine will provide 30 medical staff volunteers to provide medical care at the ITU World Triathlon San Diego to help prevent, and if necessary treat, any orthopaedic injuries or medical conditions. UC San Diego Health System’s physicians are among the region’s “Top Doctors” as named by the San Diego County Medical Society. The health system is ranked as the number one adult hospital in San Diego and among the nation’s best in multiple specialties by U.S. News & World Report in 2012. “This kind of sponsorship is emblematic of UC San Diego Sports Medicine’s commitment to health. Events like the ITU World Triathlon San Diego bring our community together, encourage physical activity, training and active lifestyles and provide opportunities for people to compete in a safe and positive environment,” said Christopher Wahl, MD, chief of Sports Medicine, UC San Diego Health System. “Studies repeatedly show that exercise is unquestionably the cheapest and most powerful ‘medicine’ to promote mental and physical health.” One of just eight ITU World Triathlon Series events around the globe in 2013, the second edition of the ITU World Triathlon San Diego will feature an Olympic-caliber elite field competing on a historic course adjacent to the birthplace of the sport. In addition to the elite races, the event features top-flight Olympic- and sprint-distance age-group races, as well as an Olympic-distance relay and an aquabike event, offering amateurs the chance to compete in the same epic venue as the world’s best athletes. The 2013 ITU World Triathlon San Diego also serves as the USA Triathlon Club National Championships. Nearly 2,100 amateur triathletes from ages 14-to-90-years-old from 42 states and 16 countries competed at the 2012 ITU World Triathlon San Diego. Visit sandiego.triathlon.org for more information on the 2013 event. About University of California, San Diego Health System Launched in 1966, UC San Diego Health System is the region’s only academic health... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/2013_age_group_course_announced http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/2013_age_group_course_announced#When:02:35:45Z The race venue/transition area is located in Mission Beach, while the swim consists of one lap in Ventura Cove. The bike portion will now head out from Mission Beach towards Sunset Cliffs, past Sea World, and features a loop around Fiesta Island, the site of the first-ever triathlon held in September 1974. This course returns to the original roots of triathlon leading up to the 40 year anniversary of the sport. The run portion is along the paths and streets of Mission Beach. Click here for more information about the event and to register for the 2013 ITU World Triathlon San Diego. Click on each image to enlarge and download as a PDF.   Interactive Course Maps                 Venue Map                                   Age Group Olympic-Distance Course   Swim: 1500m (1 lap) Bike: 40km (2 laps) Run: 10km (2 laps) Age Group Sprint Course Swim: 750m (1 lap) Bike: 20km (1 lap) Run: 5km (1 lap) Note: Course subject to change at any time. The 2013 Elite course will be the same as in 2012 and can be found here. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/usa_triathlon_club_nationals_added_to_2013_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_sl http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/usa_triathlon_club_nationals_added_to_2013_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_sl#When:02:35:45Z Untitled Document Following a successful debut event in May with nearly 2,100 amateurs and the world’s top elite triathletes, the ITU World Triathlon San Diego is set to return to Mission Beach on April 18-20, 2013. In addition to the same races hosted in 2012, next year’s event will serve as the 2013 USA Triathlon Club National Championships. Registration for all ITU World Triathlon San Diego age-group races is now open. Click here for registration information. Once again, Olympic-distance (1,500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run), sprint-distance (750m swim, 20k bike, 5k run) and Olympic-distance relay events will be offered in an iconic venue adjacent to the birthplace of triathlon. An aquabike race (1.5k swim, 40k bike) has also been added to the second edition of the race weekend. The 2013 ITU World Triathlon San Diego elite races will serve as the second stop in the 2013 ITU World Triathlon Series, the world’s top Olympic-distance race series which crowns the annual ITU world champion. “USA Triathlon is thrilled to once again partner with UpSolut and Lagardère to bring one of the world’s top Olympic-distance events to the birthplace of our sport in San Diego,” USA Triathlon CEO Rob Urbach said. “We debuted in 2012 to rave reviews, and our staff is already hard at work listening to the constructive feedback we received to make the 2013 ITU World Triathlon San Diego bigger and better. The addition of Club Nationals to an already exciting race weekend will only raise the profile of this remarkable event.” Age-groupers from ages 14 to 90 from 42 states and 16 countries competed in the 2012 ITU World Triathlon San Diego. “The Triathlon Club of San Diego is looking forward to having a world-class event in our own backyard for the second year in a row,” said Triathlon Club of San Diego President Stephen Banister. “The ITU World Triathlon San Diego honors the lineage of triathlon and highlights the beauty of this city. This race is a model for how triathlon can tie together a community of all ability levels and age groups. From the first-time triathlete working to improve his health, to the elite hoping to qualify for Rio in four years, this event has something for everyone.” Official USA Triathlon clubs are eligible to compete for one of five national titles based on the club’s total membership size at the 2013 USA Triathlon Club National Championships, held in... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_unveils_schedule_for_2013_itu_world_triathlon_series http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_unveils_schedule_for_2013_itu_world_triathlon_series#When:02:35:45Z Auckland, New Zealand (22 October 2012) - After crowning Lisa Norden (SWE) and Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) as the 2012 ITU World Champions this past weekend, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) today announced the schedule for the 2013 ITU World Triathlon Series. Emerging from the excitement of the highly successful London 2012 Olympic Games, the 2013 ITU World Triathlon Series visits eight cities in four continents as the world's top triathletes compete head-to-head to be crowned the 2013 ITU World Champion. Entering its fifth season, triathlon's premier global series features eight rounds of race action, culminating with the Grand Final on the 2012 Olympic course in Hyde Park, London. 2013 ITU World Triathlon Series: April 6-7: Auckland, New Zealand April 18-20: San Diego, USA May 11-12: Yokohama, Japan June 1-2: Madrid, Spain July 6-7: Kitzbühel, Austria July 20-21: Hamburg, Germany (sprint distance and ITU Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships) August 24-25: Stockholm, Sweden Grand Final - September 11-16: London, Great Britain Every race will feature age-group races and all elite women's and men's races will be broadcast live to an international audience and streamed online live. In 2012, the series was broadcast in more than 160 countries. "The ITU World Triathlon Series has seen astonishing growth year after year and the 2013 edition again travels around the globe to some of the world's major cities," said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member. "2013 promises another season of thrilling ITU racing before closing the season in London where we witnessed some of the most spectacular action in the history of our sport." The 2013 ITU World Triathlon Series opens where this year's series concludes; in Auckland where the 2012 World Champions were decided this past weekend. The series then shifts to the birthplace of triathlon, San Diego, after a highly popular and successful debut in the series earlier this year. Japan will host the ITU World Triathlon Series for the third time in Yokohama, before the series moves to Europe starting in Spain. A candidate city for the 2020 Olympic Games, Madrid offers athletes its usual challenging course through Casa de Campo Park. Scenic Kitzbühel, Austria will welcome the ITU World Triathlon Series for the fifth straight year and will feature a unique mountain course finishing on the famous Kitzbühel Horn. In addition to sprint distance... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age_group_registration_now_open http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age_group_registration_now_open#When:02:35:45Z Untitled Document Click here to register for the 2013 ITU World Triathlon San Diego.  Race Weekend Schedule Friday, April 19 Afternoon: Elite Race Saturday, April 20 Morning:   Age Group Olympic Distance Race & Olympic Distance Relay                      Age Group Sprint Distance Race                      Paratriathlon Afternoon: Elite Race Distances Sprint Distance The sprint distance features a 750m swim, a 20km bike and a 5km run. You may also choose to participate, if you qualify, in one of the special race categories: 2013 USA Triathlon Club National Championship, Military Challenge, or Corporate Challenge. There is no additional fee for entering these categories. Register Here Olympic Distance The Olympic distance features a 1.5km swim, a 40km bike and a 10km run. You may also choose to participate, if you qualify, in one of the special categories: 2013 USA Triathlon Club National Championship, Military Challenge, or Corporate Challenge. There is no additional fee for entering these categories. Register Here Relay Olympic Distance The relay is part of the Olympic distance race and features a 1.5km swim, a 40km bike, and a 10km run. You can compete as a team of two or three athletes (male, female or co-ed), with each athlete competing in one or two legs of the race (swim, bike or run). The team captain has to register the team and cover the registration cost; the other two team members are required to register but will not be charged again. Register Here Aquabike Aquabike is offered for the Olympic distance only and features a 1.5km swim and a 40km bike. Aquabike participants can have their race results count towards the 2013 USA Triathlon Nation Club Championship. There is no additional fee for entering the Club National Championship. Register Here Paratriathlon The event will feature a Paratriathlon run under the patronage of the International Triathlon Union (ITU). Interested athletes need to contact their National Federations to register. Please check back frequently for additional information. PRICING Registration Date Sprint Olympic Relay Aquabike Sept. 15 - Nov.... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/registration_for_2013_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_age_group_races_opens_s http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/registration_for_2013_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_age_group_races_opens_s#When:02:35:45Z It's official -- we're coming back to beautiful Mission Beach in 2013!   This past May the inaugural ITU World Triathlon San Diego was an unprecedented race experience for the age-group field of 2,000-plus. It also showcased the world's best pro triathletes right here on our home soil. Well, mark your calendars, because we're doing it all again from April 18-20, 2013.  We received an overwhelmingly positive response from age-group athletes like you ... the people who really make this event a success through your participation. But we're not satisfied yet and, thanks to some constructive feedback, we are already working to improve the race course and the overall event experience. So stay tuned for more specifics, and even a few surprises, coming your way soon.   Registration is now open for the Sprint- and Olympic-Distance races, as well as the Olympic-Distance Relay. Click here for registration.   See you in April! Check back for the most up-to-date information on the 2013 ITU World Triathlon San Diego event.   Pricing for ITU World Triathlon San Diego 2013 Introductory pricing will last until Dec. 31, 2012. The pricing structure for the event is as follows: Until Dec. 31, 2012: $199 for Olympic-Distance; $140 for Sprint; $230 for Relay Jan. 1-Feb. 28, 2013: $210 for Olympic-Distance; $150 for Sprint; $240 for Relay March 1-April 18, 2013 (or sell out date): $220 for Olympic-Distance; $160 for Sprint; $250 for Relay On site (if not sold out): $235 for Olympic-Distance; $175 for Sprint; $265 for Relay   2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/brownlee_takes_gold_at_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_kemper_huerta_qualify_ http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/brownlee_takes_gold_at_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_kemper_huerta_qualify_#When:02:35:45Z Great Britain swept gold this weekend as Jonathan Brownlee ran to first place in the ITU World Triathlon San Diego on Saturday with a time of 1 hour, 48 minutes, 46 seconds. Sven Riederer from Switzerland was second in 1:48:52, and South African Richard Murray took third in 1:49:02.   Americans Hunter Kemper and Manuel Huerta finished fifth and ninth, respectively, qualifying them for the U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team.   Brownlee led with a group of eight men on the bike, but a chase pack quickly caught up to form a group of 32. It only took 10 minutes for the next chase pack to catch the lead group, and 56 men left the second transition within 25 seconds of each other. Brownlee and Murray broke away quickly on the run, but Brownlee maintained his lead through the run to take the win.   “We had to work really hard on the bike it was different not having Alistair [Brownlee, Jonathan’s brother] there because there were less aggressive people from the back,” said Brownlee, in his first race of the season. “I found myself and Kris Gemmell doing a lot of the work, but then on the run I went hard on the second lap. That was tough, but I had to hang on. Sven is a great athlete himself and he has chased me down a few times before, but this time I was able to hold on.”   “Ultimately, you always want to settle it on a race course,” said Kemper, now a four-time Olympic qualifier. “You don’t want a selection committee to decide who’s going to go to the Olympic Games. I did that today, and so did Manny, and that means a lot. I’m just happy to go back and represent my country. There’s no better feeling than representing the USA.”   2012 ITU World Triathlon San Diego (1,500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run) Complete Results   1. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR), 1:48:46      2. Sven Riederer (SUI), 1:48:52 3. Richard Murray (RSA), 1:49:02 4. Mario Mola (ESP), 1:49:08 5. Hunter Kemper (USA), 1:49:17      6. Ryan Sissons (NZL), 1:49:22 7. Tim Don (GBR), 1:49:25          8. Bevan Docherty (NZL), 1:49:29     9. Manuel Huerta (USA), 1:49:31     10. Kris Gemmell (NZL), 1:49:40 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age-groupers_soak_in_the_sun_excitement_of_historic_san_diego http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age-groupers_soak_in_the_sun_excitement_of_historic_san_diego#When:02:35:45Z More than 2,000 age group athletes representing 42 U.S. states and 16 countries took to the sea, streets and sidewalks of Mission Beach on Saturday at the ITU World Triathlon San Diego. The Olympic-distance and Sprint-distance races were part of a dynamic triathlon weekend in the birthplace of triathlon, with elite men and women duking it out for podium spots and in some cases, Olympic qualification. More than 2,000 age-groupers raced in the birthplace of triathlon Saturday (Paul Phillips/Competitive Image). "I'm so glad they brought world class racing back to San Diego," said Tim Sheeper, 49, of Menlo Park, Calif. "Back in the 80s and 90s with the USTS [U.S. Triathlon Series] they had that. It's wonderful. The whole atmosphere brings the level of racing up. Good energy and anticipation in the air watching these people compete for the Olympic spots yesterday and later on today." The elite races, which are draft legal, were a big draw for many age-groupers to make their way to Southern California. San Diego is just one of eight host cities for the International Triathlon Union's World Triathlon Series, joining the ranks of Sydney, Madrid and Hamburg, among others. "I came down solely for that reason [to watch ITU athletes]," said Dave Ference, 45, of Holladay, Utah. "I would have missed a great race if these guys weren't racing, but I just wanted to be part of the electric environment of ITU and they didn't disappoint. It's world class." Athletes from age 14 to 90 were out on the course today, which started in Mission Bay and ended in the same finish chute as the elite races. Though the majority of the participants were from the United States, athletes from other countries made their way to San Diego to compete on this course. "I always love to race and to have the opportunity for it to be in San Diego -that's why I'm here," said John Hellemans, 59, from New Zealand. Still a relatively young sport compared to others on the Olympic program, triathlon boasts an exceptionally rich history as evidenced by USA Triathlon's Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday. Two of the newest Hall of Fame inductees, Bob Babbitt and Scott Molina, got in touch with their roots when they toed the line at the historic venue. "This was a wonderful race," said Molina, 52, of Christchurch, New Zealand. "A bitchin' course. I loved it." Another recognizable name on the race course was... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/jenkins_wins_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_bennett_qualifies_for_u.s._olymp http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/jenkins_wins_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_bennett_qualifies_for_u.s._olymp#When:02:35:45Z Great Britain’s Helen Jenkins pulled away on the run to win the ITU World Triathlon San Diego on Friday with a time of 1 hour, 58 minutes, 21 seconds. Australia’s Erin Densham finished second in 1:59:26, and American Laura Bennett claimed the final U.S. Olympic spot with her third-place finish (2:00:11). Jenkins, Densham and Bennett were part of a group of eight women who pushed the pace on the bike to ensure the large chase pack did not gain ground. “The plan was always to try to get away and use your strengths,” said Jenkins, whose win put her atop the ITU World Triathlon Series standings. “I know a lot of the girls are really good swim/bikers as well, so I think we really did maximize everything today. We really put 100 percent into every discipline, and it paid off for a lot of us. Bennett, who finished fourth at the Beijing Games in 2008, qualified for her second straight Olympic team. “Sarah [Haskins] and I had to be in the top nine, so it was kind of important that we all worked together on the bike and then we couldfight it out at the end, and we did so,” Bennett said. 2012 ITU World Triathlon San Diego (1,500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run) Complete Results 1. Helen Jenkins (GBR), 1:58:21      2. Erin Densham (AUS), 1:59:26 3. Laura Bennett (USA), 2:00:11 4. Jessica Harrison (FRA), 2:00:14 5. Vicky Holland (GBR), 2:00:28      6. Flora Duffy (BER), 2:00:46 7. Anne Haug (GER), 2:00:50          8. Sarah Haskins (USA), 2:00:56     9. Emma Moffatt (AUS), 2:01:18     10. Ashleigh Gentle (AUS), 2:01:33    2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/watch_the_elite_women_and_mens_race_live_online http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/watch_the_elite_women_and_mens_race_live_online#When:02:35:45Z Follow all the action from the Elite Races in San Diego Friday and Saturday live online with universalsports.com and triathlonlive.tv as well as Twitter and Facebook. Women begin at 2:06pm Pacific Time Friday, May 11. Men begin at 2:30pm Pacific Time Saturday, May 12. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/quotes_from_the_pre-race_press_conference http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/quotes_from_the_pre-race_press_conference#When:02:35:45Z Marisol Casado, President, International Triathlon Union “I think this is a historical place for the triathlon family but also this race will have much more meaning for all of us. Since the first moment that I was elected President of the International Triathlon Union, I had in my head a very clear path to this moment. It was to combine the best races that we have on the planet – the World Triathlon Series – with the Olympic dream.”   Rob Urbach, CEO, USA Triathlon “We’re very excited to be here in San Diego. This is the highest level of Olympic draft-legal racing and San Diego joins other top cities, iconic cities around the world – Sydney, London, Madrid, Kitzbuhel  and others. It’s certainly been a long time coming as this is the birthplace, in fact, the Mecca of triathlon with the first race at nearby Fiesta Island in 1974. We’re thrilled to come back here to put on what we think will be an epic race.”   Bevan Docherty, New Zealand “The key word there is maturity. I'm getting older now and I can only peak so many times a year. In an Olympic campaign, there is only one race that counts. It's still a journey to get to the Olympics but if you play your cards right and are smart about it, you put yourself in the best possible position come August.”   “I don't think I'm a great runner, I just think I'm a great all-around triathlete. In just a straight out run, I don't think I'm all that great. London is going to be very fast so in terms of a test event, I suppose this venue will be great.”   Jarrod Shoemaker, Clermont, Fla. “The goal for all of us is to race as hard as we can because you never know what happens in one of these races.  It’s about putting yourself in a position to succeed.  My goal is to go out and have fun, enjoy and race as fast as I can.”   Helen Jenkins, Great Britain “It’s really exciting just to know the Olympics are going to be in your own country.  At the same time I’m trying not to get too excited this far out from the Games.”   “I’m just trying to keep everything simple and it’s more about getting the training in and doing the work because this year is the important year. I’m trying to keep that in perspective and that’s my goal – try to get to London in the best possible... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age_group_wave_times http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age_group_wave_times#When:02:35:45Z 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_names_local_partners http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_names_local_partners#When:02:35:45Z Active Network, Aquadraat Sports, Gatorade, PR*Bar, TYR Sport and ZOCA have been named official local partners of this week’s ITU World Triathlon San Diego, which serves as the second qualifier for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team and will feature more than 2,100 amateur athletes competing in the birthplace of the sport. Active Network, the leader in cloud-based activity and participant management™ solutions, is the Official Registration Partner of the ITU World Triathlon San Diego. Through its ActiveWorks® cloud technology, Active Network helps transform the way organizers manage their activities and events by automating online registrations, streamlining other critical management functions, and offering solutions which seek to drive stronger engagement with their participants. Visit www.activenetwork.com for more information. Based in The Netherlands, Aquadraat Sports is the Official Water Partner of the ITU World Triathlon San Diego. Its electro-Ionic (electrolysis) treatment process structurally transforms everyday drinking water into the fuel your body needs to develop and sustain peak levels of optimum health. Visit www.aquadraatsports.com for more information. Gatorade is the Official Sports Beverage and Energy Chew of the Age Group Race for the ITU World Triathlon San Diego. Grounded in years of hydration and sports nutrition research at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute and used by some of the world’s best athletes, G Series Pro products deliver the fuel, fluids and nutrients endurance athletes need before, during and after training or a race. The newest innovation from Gatorade, G Series Pro Carb Energy Chews, provides an energy benefit prior to exercise and during prolonged activities to help you continue to perform at a high level. With 120 calories and 30 grams of carbohydrate per 4-chew serving, the gummy texture is easy to chew and swallow, so fueling up won’t slow you down. Additionally, the on-course Sports Beverage, G Series Pro Endurance Formula, is a specialized sports drink designed to sustain hydration during prolonged training and competition when fluid and electrolyte losses can be significant. For more information and availability visit www.gatorade.com. Based in San Diego, PR*Bar is the Official Performance Nutrition Bar of the Age Group Race for the ITU World Triathlon San Diego and the U.S. Olympic Team. PR*Bar’s line of great-tasting, gluten-free nutrition bars deliver almost... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/athlete_parking_and_shuttle_information http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/athlete_parking_and_shuttle_information#When:02:35:45Z Due to very minimal parking in the area of the main event, the Local Organizing Committee asks that all athletes, spectators, volunteers and staff park in remote lots and ride the shuttle to the main venue. Shuttles will be leaving from each lot every ten to fifteen minutes. SUNRUNNER LOT Designated for all Athletes and Spectators Operating Hours – Friday, May 11 – 10:00am to 6:30PM                                   Saturday, May 12 – 3:30am to 6:30PM ***The last shuttle to return to the Sunrunner lot will depart the main venue (Pick-up point A) at 6:00pm HOSPITALITY LOT Designated for Vendors, Volunteers, Media and Staff Operating Hours - Friday, May 11 – 10:00am to 8:30PM                                  Saturday, May 12 – 3:30am to 8:30PM *** The last shuttle to return to the Hospitality lot will depart the main venue (Pick-up point A) at 8:00pm Please click here to reference the Google Map for lot locations and shuttle drop-off points. PLEASE NOTE: There is a secondary drop-off point during the road closures of the elite races: Women’s Elite (Friday, May 11 – 12:00pm to 4:30pm) and Men’s Elite (Saturday, May 12 – 1:45pm to 5:00pm). It is a 0.5 mile walk from the drop-off point B to the main venue, please plan your time accordingly. ***For Age Group Athletes arriving early on Saturday morning, it is strongly suggested that they carpool to the event or have a friend/family member drop them at the transition area before parking in the remote lot. Doing this will save time and space on the shuttle busses. PLEASE NOTE: No bikes will be allowed on the shuttle buses. All bikes must be checked-in at the Age Group Transition Area on Friday, May 11. Suggestion from the LOC for AGE GROUP BIKE DROP-OFF DURING ROAD CLOSURES on FRIDAY, MAY 11 from 12:00pm to 4:30pm : park in the shuttle lot (Sunrunner), ride your bike to Venture Lot to drop bike and then take the shuttle back to your car. Bike Friendly Routes to Venue Hospitality Lot to Bonita Cove Sunrunner Lot to Ventura Cove... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age_group_pre-race_webinar http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age_group_pre-race_webinar#When:02:35:45Z Age Group wave start times can be found here. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/top-flight_international_field_headed_to_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/top-flight_international_field_headed_to_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego#When:02:35:45Z A talented field of 140 of the world’s top triathletes will swim, bike and run through San Diego’s Mission Beach area at this week’s ITU World Triathlon San Diego, which serves as the second and final automatic qualifier for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team. The women’s race will be held Friday at 2 p.m., followed by the men Saturday at 2:30 p.m. The Olympic-distance (1,500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike, 10-kilometer run) elite race fields are comprised of 70 athletes per gender. As of Monday, 16 top Americans are on the start list, including 2012 U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team qualifiers Sarah Groff (Hanover, N.H.) and Gwen Jorgensen (Milwaukee Wis.), three-time Olympian Hunter Kemper (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Beijing Olympians Laura Bennett (Boulder, Colo.), Sarah Haskins (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jarrod Shoemaker (Clermont, Fla.). Top international multisport athletes slated to compete include:   Jonathan Brownlee (Great Britain): 2011 ITU World Triathlon Series runner-up Bevan Docherty (New Zealand): 2004 Olympic silver medalist; 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Helen Jenkins (Great Britain): 2011 ITU World Triathlon Series champion Emma Moffatt (Australia): 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Chris McCormack (Australia): 2007, 2010 Ironman world champion; 1997 ITU World Cup series champion Emma Snowsill (Australia): 2008 Olympic gold medalist Simon Whitfield (Canada): 2000 Olympic gold medalist; 2008 Olympic silver medalist Visit triathlon.org for a complete women’s start list and a complete men’s start list. One of just eight ITU World Triathlon Series events in 2012, the ITU World Triathlon San Diego also will play a key role in determining the Olympic squads for a number of other nations, as it is the second-to-last ITU World Triathlon Series event prior to the closing of the ITU’s 2012 Olympic qualification window at the end of May. The ITU World Triathlon Series was introduced in 2009, creating a series of world championship races rather than a single-day world championship. From 2009 until 2011, it was called the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series, but was re-branded in 2012 as the ITU World Triathlon Series. There will be eight rounds in the 2012 season, culminating with the Grand Final in Auckland, New Zealand, in October. The world’s top triathletes will compete head-to-head for rankings points that determine the overall ITU World... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/event_program_now_available http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/event_program_now_available#When:02:35:45Z Click the guide to launch the full edition in a new window. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/club_profile_bluff_busters_tri_team_from_la_crosse_wisconsin http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/club_profile_bluff_busters_tri_team_from_la_crosse_wisconsin#When:02:35:45Z Bluff Busters Tri Team formed in 2004 as a spin-off of the River City Running Club, a decades old running club in La Crosse, Wis. A number of the running club members had gotten their feet wet doing a few local triathlons and felt a need to become a little more organized to coordinate swim and bike training sessions for those wanting to pursue this new passion and a few organizational meetings later, Bluff Busters Tri Team was born.   The name "Bluff Busters" comes from the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. The city of La Crosse and several adjoining communities are located in a long, narrow stretch of the river valley along Wisconsin's "west coast" and you cannot bike or run more than a couple of miles in the east-west direction without "busting" your way up one of the bluffs either on the Wisconsin or Minnesota side of the valley.   La Crosse is located within the driftless area of the Midwest that measures approximately 100 miles in both the east-west and north-south directions that was bypassed by the glaciers. This area is a hidden gem for bike training as we have hundreds of miles of rural roads with low traffic volume and an abundance of hills. Even though our hills max out at only 600-700 feet in elevation change, several of us refer to this area as the Boulder of the Midwest. We can pick a 40-mile route at random and easily include a half dozen 1-mile long, 500-foot climbs with relentless rollers in between each. In the mid to late 1980s, Greg LeMond did a lot of his bike training in this area.   Our club has maintained a membership of approximately 100 triathletes since its formation. Like most clubs, we have members who join just for a year or two to train for a specific event or to get "triathlon" crossed off their bucket list, and others who truly get hooked on the sport and triathlon lifestyle and are here for the duration. We have more than 50 members past and present who have completed at least one Iron-distance event. The experience level of our membership also varies greatly. At present we have at least 15 members training for their first triathlon, several that have competed on Team USA at ITU World Championship events, a number that have competed at the Ironman World Championship in Kona and a few that have achieved USA Triathlon All-American status.   Our club conducts tri clinics focusing on swim, bike and run technique as well as nutrition and the mental... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age_group_profile_father_and_son_excited_for_san_diego_event http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age_group_profile_father_and_son_excited_for_san_diego_event#When:02:35:45Z The age group races in San Diego are drawing in athletes from all across the U.S. and around the world. Some athletes are using the opportunity to race as a family, like John and Robbie Deckard from Indiana. The father-son duo will be racing in San Diego and keeping an eye out for their favorite pro triathletes who will be racing Friday and Saturday afternoons.    USA Triathlon: When did you get your start in multisport/triathlon? Robbie Deckard: I got my start in triathlon three years ago after watching Alberto Contador win the Tour de France. I had been a baseball player ever since I could swing a bat and the sport of cycling was appealing to me. After a month of non-stop riding, I joined the cross-country team and fell in love with running. This led me to triathlon; my dad and I signed up for St. Anthony's twp years ago and we've been doing triathlons ever since. John Deckard: We'd never been to a tri, let alone competed. We did it almost on a whim, but it was a father/son whim...the best kind. My first favorite memory is watching my 14-year-old son gut out an Olympic distance race. Then Andy Potts came up to him after the race and gave him some advice. This pro was taking an interest in a 14-year-old kid, and that kind of cross-generational camaraderie is rare in any walk of life, let alone sport. We were hooked...not just on triathlons, but on the triathlon community.   USAT: How has multisport become part of your life? RD: I wouldn't call triathlon just a part of my life; it pretty much is my life. Triathlon is what I love to do. Everything I do is centered on becoming a better triathlete.  JD: There are half a dozen bikes hung up around the house; the fridge is always and only stocked with fruit, veggies, protein and recovery products; tri magazines are everywhere; our family room looks like a Transition area; but far and away the biggest thing is the quality of the people we've met through triathlon... incredibly driven athletes, and even better human beings. It's a huge part of our lives, and I don't see that changing.   USAT: Why did you sign up for the age group race in San Diego? RD: The race doesn't give Junior Elite points, it's not a qualifier for nationals, it's on the other side of the country, and it's the week before my high school final exams. Why go all that way for a race then? The pro race - Jan Frodeno, Matt Chrabot, and tons of other huge names slugging it out for the win right in front of... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/san_diego_or_bust http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/san_diego_or_bust#When:02:35:45Z new TWTR.Widget({ version: 2, type: 'search', search: '#itusd', interval: 30000, title: '', subject: 'San Diego or Bust! on Twitter', width: 250, height: 1000, theme: { shell: { background: '#d4dff0', color: '#005187' }, tweets: { background: '#005187', color: '#ffffff', links: '#d4dff0' } }, features: { scrollbar: true, loop: false, live: true, behavior: 'all' } }).render().start(); On Sunday, May 6, the “San Diego or Bust” bike transportation truck left Washington D.C. on its way Denver, Colo., before arriving at the ITU World Triathlon San Diego on Thursday, May 10. The bike transport is carrying 90 bikes from members of the DC TriClub and clubs in the Rocky Mountain Region for athletes competing in the age group races on Saturday, May 12. Once the races were over, Zane and Siphiwe loaded the bikes back up and headed east for the return trip.   Follow along with Zane Schweer and second-year age group triathlete Siphiwe Baleka as they share their experiences on the open road while covering over 2,700 miles to deliver bikes from across the country to the birthplace of triathlon. Zane and Siphiwe will be "Facebooking, Tweeting, Google + ing, video-logging, and everything under the sun!" as they bring the bikes across the country. Follow the San Diego or Bust blog to view the latest entries and check the ITU World Triathlon San Diego Facebook and Twitter pages as well as @FitnessTrucking and @KaneBicycles for updates from the road.   Blog Entries May 25 "Official Bike Count-San Diego or Bust" May 18 "Race Weekend - Lots o' Bikes" May 12 "We're NOT Done Yet!" May 11 "Flat Stanley's Triathlon Adventure Part II" May 10 "So Many Bikes, Just Enough Space" May 8 "Some Thoughts from a Truck Driving Triathlete" "Flat Stanley's Triathlon Trip Adventures Part I" May 7 “We Couldn’t Go if it Weren’t for this Service” May 4 "Getting Ready" 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/official_event_apparel_now_available_for_pre-order http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/official_event_apparel_now_available_for_pre-order#When:02:35:45Z ZOCA is the official apparel retail partner for the 2012 ITU World Triathlon San Diego. ZOCA outfits various triathlon clubs around the U.S., including the Tri Club of San Diego, and will be on-hand at the venue to sell event-branded tri tops and bottoms, jackets, shirts and more. For an upcoming preview of official event-branded apparel, as well as your chance to pre-order, please visit zocagear.com. Pre-ordered items can be picked up at the event at ZOCA's booth (ID will be required for pick up). 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/road_closures_announced http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/road_closures_announced#When:02:35:45Z On Friday, May 11, 2012 and Saturday, May 12, 2012 the Elite and Age Group races will be going through Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and part of La Jolla. The course will require numerous roads in the area to be closed and access to be limited for the duration of the races. Click here to visit the road closure page including information on closures for roads and parking lots, as well as alternate routes during the races. Click here to view shuttle and parkng information for athletes, vendors, staff, volunteers, media and spectators. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/2012_itu_world_triathlon_series_kicks_off_this_afternoon_in_sydney http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/2012_itu_world_triathlon_series_kicks_off_this_afternoon_in_sydney#When:02:35:45Z Follow the action live on triathlonlive.tv beginning at 5:30 p.m. Eastern.   Seven U.S. Olympic hopeful triathletes, including six members of the USA Triathlon National Team, will kick off the 2012 International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Series with the opener of the eight-race slate in Sydney, Australia.   Action opens at 5:30 p.m. Eastern today with the women's race, followed by the men at 8:25 p.m. Eastern. A live webcast of the Sydney opener and the entire eight-race series is available at triathlonlive.tv. London Games qualifiers Sarah Groff (Hanover, N.H.) and Gwen Jorgensen (Milwaukee, Wis.), as well as Laura Bennett (Boulder, Colo.) and Jillian Petersen (Colorado Springs, Colo.), are on the start list for the U.S. women. Coming off a third-place series finish in 2011, Groff makes her 2012 debut. Bennett, who was sixth in Sydney a year ago and eighth in the 2011 series rankings, and Jorgensen, who was 11th in last year's series rankings, are fresh off respective seventh- and eighth-place finishes at last month's Mooloolaba ITU World Cup. Petersen was second at the 2012 PATCO Championships in January. Visit triathlon.org for a complete women's start list. National Team members Matt Chrabot (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Manuel Huerta (Miami, Fla.) and Jarrod Shoemaker (Clermont, Fla.) will follow in the subsequent men's race. Chrabot, who finished fifth at the WTS stop in Yokohama, Japan, last September, will make his 2012 race debut. Huerta recorded a podium finish at the Bridgetown ITU Pan American Cup earlier this year, while Shoemaker won his season opener at last month's Clermont ITU Pan American Cup. Visit triathlon.org for a complete men's start list. A complete race preview is available from ITU. The Sydney event will serve as a tune-up for many of the U.S. athletes expected to compete in the May 11-12 ITU World Triathlon San Diego, which will serve as the second and final qualifying event for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team. The eight-event ITU World Triathlon Series is a key proving ground for the United States' top triathletes aiming for a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team. In addition to racing for WTS points, athletes also will be looking to earn points toward securing a spot for their country at the 2012 Olympic Triathlon in London. The ITU Olympic Qualification Period closes May 31, 2012. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/video_elite_bike_course http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/video_elite_bike_course#When:02:35:45Z Elite course maps are available here. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/looking_to_san_diego http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/looking_to_san_diego#When:02:35:45Z During the week of May 7, visitors from all over the world will hear the pilot of their airplane announce that they are preparing for landing at the San Diego International Airport. Looking out the window, our visitors begin to see land and vast ocean, houses with Spanish-tiled roofs nestled on hills and vistas, the Sea World tower bearing the American flag, the Coronado Bay Bridge, the ships and reflective high-rises among other images that characterize San Diego from above. So this is the birthplace of triathlon. That claim is about as much as most people know as to why this is the choice location for the second ITU World Triathlon Series race of 2012 and the final U.S. Olympic Qualifier. However, as San Diego triathletes helping to host this event, our understanding of the sport's history will not only inspire our guests but ourselves. As we read "Story of the First Triathlon", by Jack Johnstone, one of the pioneers of our sport, we see ourselves in this reflection and can appreciate the places which we still enjoy and how our generation is striving to further advance the sport. Thanks Jack. Thao Vu Tri Club San Diego 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/san_diego_press_conference_replay http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/san_diego_press_conference_replay#When:02:35:45Z 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/photo_gallery_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_press_conference http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/photo_gallery_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_press_conference#When:02:35:45Z The press conference featured elite triathlete Matt Chrabot and also marked the debut of the 2012 USA Olympic team kit by partner TYR Sport. Photos by Rich Cruse | USA Triathlon. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/allwhites_egg_whites_to_sponsor_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/allwhites_egg_whites_to_sponsor_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego#When:02:35:45Z SAN DIEGO, Calif. —AllWhites, the No. 1 liquid egg whites brand, has been named an official sponsor of the May 10-12 ITU World Triathlon San Diego, which serves as the second qualifier for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team and will feature more than 2,000 amateur athletes competing at the birthplace of the sport. “We’re excited to take part in such an amazing event featuring the world’s best Olympic-distance triathletes,” said Rebecca Manges, marketing manager for AllWhites Egg Whites. “Top American triathlete and AllWhites-sponsored Laura Bennett is the one we’ll be watching in the qualifier for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.” One of just eight ITU World Triathlon Series events in 2012, the ITU World Triathlon San Diego elite races will serve as the second of two qualifying events to determine the 2012 United States Olympic Men’s and Women’s Triathlon Team. The event also will play a key role in determining the Olympic squads for a number of other nations, as it is the second-to-last ITU World Triathlon Series event prior to the closing of the ITU’s 2012 Olympic qualification window at the end of May. Set for the morning of Saturday, May 12, top-flight Olympic- and sprint-distance age-group races, as well as an Olympic-distance relay, will offer amateurs the chance to compete in the same epic venue as the world’s best athletes. Visit sandiego.triathlon.org for more information on the event. About AllWhites and Better’n Eggs AllWhites, the No. 1 liquid egg whites brand, and Better’n Eggs, the second largest egg substitute brand in the country, are great tasting, fat-free, cholesterol-free, refrigerated real egg products proudly made by Crystal Farms. These products are approved by Bob Greene’s Best Life Diet and have been awarded the ChefsBest Taste award. Crystal Farms also distributes: Crystal Farms Cheese, the third-largest U.S. brand in shreds, chunks and processed cheese; and Simply Potatoes, the leader in refrigerated potatoes. Crystal Farms, which is owned by Michael Foods, has been in business in the Upper Midwest since 1926 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/universal_sports_network_to_televise_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/universal_sports_network_to_televise_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego#When:02:35:45Z SAN DIEGO, Calif. —Multisport enthusiasts and sports fans nationwide will witness the excitement of world-class triathlon firsthand when Universal Sports televises the second and final qualifier for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team — the ITU World Triathlon San Diego, which will be held May 11-12. Universal Sports will air two two-hour, tape-delayed programs — one dedicated to the women’s race May 19 and one covering the men’s race May 20. Following the initial television broadcasts, both races will re-air on Universal Sports on to-be-determined dates. Additionally, both races will be streamed live online and will be available on-demand at UniversalSports.com. “We are excited to expand our partnership with USA Triathlon to be the exclusive national television broadcaster for the ITU World Triathlon in San Diego,” said David Sternberg, CEO of Universal Sports. “Adding this high-profile international event to our robust lineup of Olympic, endurance and adventure sports programming further demonstrates the value of Universal Sports to our viewers and business partners.” “We are delighted to have Universal Sports as our domestic partner for this world-class event,” said Dennis Spencer, Executive Vice President of Lagardère Unlimited, which is partnering with USA Triathlon to produce the event. “We know that the viewers of Universal Sports on all their platforms will find the competition compelling. The ITU World Triathlon Series and Universal Sports are perfect partners.” One of just eight ITU World Triathlon Series events in 2012, the elite races in San Diego will serve as the second of two qualifying events to determine the 2012 United States Olympic Men’s and Women’s Triathlon Team. The third and final spot for the U.S. Women’s Olympic Triathlon Team will be on the line, while no U.S. male athlete has yet earned a spot on Team USA entering the San Diego event. A top-nine overall finish by an American will punch an automatic spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team. The event also will play a key role in determining the Olympic squads for a number of other nations, as it is the second-to-last ITU World Triathlon Series event prior to the closing of the ITU’s 2012 Olympic qualification window at the end of May. The women’s elite race will be held Friday, May 11 at 3 p.m., followed by the men Saturday, May 12 at 2:30 p.m.... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_now_on_facebook_and_twitter http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_now_on_facebook_and_twitter#When:02:35:45Z Follow @WTS_SanDiego !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");   2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/legends-turned-age-groupers_to_race_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego1 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/legends-turned-age-groupers_to_race_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego1#When:02:35:45Z COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The ITU World Triathlon San Diego will present a unique opportunity for age-group triathletes to race alongside two of the sport's all-time greats, as Ironman World Champion and 2012 USA Triathlon Hall of Fame inductee Scott Molina and Olympic bronze medalist Susan Williams have committed to race in the age-group ranks at the May 10-12 event. "It has been about 25 years since I last raced in San Diego - way too long," Molina said. "I vividly recall living and racing there in the Eighties in the center of the triathlon world. I'm sure the weekend's events will be a massive celebration of the sport, and I'm really looking forward to being part of it."   In his competitive days, Molina notched 104 professional triathlon victories, six USA Triathlon Elite National Championships - including four straight from 1983-86 - the 1988 Ironman World Championship and a pair of World's Toughest Triathlon titles. A father of three and grandfather of one, Molina married fellow professional triathlete Erin Baker in 1990. He resides in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he has worked as a triathlon coach since 1995.   "I am very excited to race where the first triathlon took place and toe the line alongside fellow age-group athletes, then sit back and watch our top elites vie for spots on the U.S. Olympic Team," Williams said.   Williams, who captured the first Olympic triathlon medal for the United States in Athens in 2004, returned to racing as an age-grouper in 2011 following the birth of her third child.   The ITU World Triathlon San Diego's scenic race venue is adjacent to Fiesta Island, which hosted the world's first-ever triathlon on Sept. 25, 1974. Held in conjunction with one of just eight elite ITU World Triathlon Series events in 2012, top-flight Olympic- and sprint-distance age-group races, as well as an Olympic-distance relay, will offer amateurs the chance to compete in the same epic venue as the world's best athletes.   Race-day action for age-groupers is scheduled for Saturday, May 12 with the age-group Olympic-distance and relay races at 6:30 a.m., followed by the sprint-distance event at 9:30 a.m.   Visit sandiego.triathlon.org for more information and to register.   Additionally, triathlon clubs of all sizes and nations will descend upon Mission Beach in sunny San Diego to compete for the inaugural Global Club Challenge crown. Age-group athletes... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/legends-turned-age-groupers_to_race_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/legends-turned-age-groupers_to_race_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego#When:02:35:45Z COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The ITU World Triathlon San Diego will present a unique opportunity for age-group triathletes to race alongside two of the sport's all-time greats, as Ironman World Champion and 2012 USA Triathlon Hall of Fame inductee Scott Molina and Olympic bronze medalist Susan Williams have committed to race in the age-group ranks at the May 10-12 event. "It has been about 25 years since I last raced in San Diego - way too long," Molina said. "I vividly recall living and racing there in the Eighties in the center of the triathlon world. I'm sure the weekend's events will be a massive celebration of the sport, and I'm really looking forward to being part of it."   In his competitive days, Molina notched 104 professional triathlon victories, six USA Triathlon Elite National Championships - including four straight from 1983-86 - the 1988 Ironman World Championship and a pair of World's Toughest Triathlon titles. A father of three and grandfather of one, Molina married fellow professional triathlete Erin Baker in 1990. He resides in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he has worked as a triathlon coach since 1995.   "I am very excited to race where the first triathlon took place and toe the line alongside fellow age-group athletes, then sit back and watch our top elites vie for spots on the U.S. Olympic Team," Williams said.   Williams, who captured the first Olympic triathlon medal for the United States in Athens in 2004, returned to racing as an age-grouper in 2011 following the birth of her third child.   The ITU World Triathlon San Diego's scenic race venue is adjacent to Fiesta Island, which hosted the world's first-ever triathlon on Sept. 25, 1974. Held in conjunction with one of just eight elite ITU World Triathlon Series events in 2012, top-flight Olympic- and sprint-distance age-group races, as well as an Olympic-distance relay, will offer amateurs the chance to compete in the same epic venue as the world's best athletes.   Race-day action for age-groupers is scheduled for Saturday, May 12 with the age-group Olympic-distance and relay races at 6:30 a.m., followed by the sprint-distance event at 9:30 a.m. Visit the registration page for more information and to register. Additionally, triathlon clubs of all sizes and nations will descend upon Mission Beach in sunny San Diego to compete for the inaugural Global Club Challenge crown. Age-group athletes vying for the... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/video_2012_itu_world_triathlon_series_trailer http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/video_2012_itu_world_triathlon_series_trailer#When:02:35:45Z 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/usa_triathlon_hall_of_fame_dinner_tickets_now_on_sale http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/usa_triathlon_hall_of_fame_dinner_tickets_now_on_sale#When:02:35:45Z Triathlon legends Mark Allen, Scott Molina and Scott Tinley, who combined to win nine Ironman World Championship titles over the course of their decorated careers, highlight the fourth class of the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame. Also selected in this year’s class were top age-grouper Ethel Autorino and contributors Bob Babbitt and Sally Edwards. Allen, Molina and Tinley, along with previous USA Triathlon Hall of Fame inductee Dave Scott, are commonly referred to as triathlon’s “Big Four.” All six inductees will be honored at a banquet on Thursday, May 10 at the Bahia Resort Hotel in San Diego to open the ITU World Triathlon San Diego race weekend. Ticket information will be available on usatriathlon.org in the near future. This exclusive event, which has sold out in each of the past three years, will be limited to 250 attendees. “Our six inductees for 2012 represent all that is good about the multisport lifestyle, and USA Triathlon is thrilled to honor their contributions to our sport,” said Chuck Graziano, chair of the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Committee. “We look forward to hosting the event in San Diego and believe this will be a fitting kick off to the ITU World Triathlon San Diego weekend.” The USA Triathlon Hall of Fame was founded in 2008, and this year’s class will bring the total number of inductees to 19. Visit usatriathlon.org for more information on the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame.   ***Insert text about tickets here with link to Active*** Click here to read more about the USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Class of 2010.   2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/searchable_participant_list_posted http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/searchable_participant_list_posted#When:02:35:45Z Click here to view the current searchable participant list. Seach by distance, gender, age group, city, first name, last name and country. List updated weekly. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/video_getting_to_know_the_bike_course http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/video_getting_to_know_the_bike_course#When:02:35:45Z Click here to view the current course maps. Please note that course is subject to change. This video tour is a general overview of the bike course and may not represent the exact course in May. Music: Kevin MacLeod 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/official_event_hotels_announced http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/official_event_hotels_announced#When:02:35:45Z EVENT HOTELS The LOC San Diego is pleased to recommend several hotels in the San Diego area with which special event rates have been negotiated. Reservations can be made through this site or via phone at the respective hotels. If booking directly through the hotel, please mention “ITU World Triathlon San Diego” to access the special rates. Please note that all hotels have limited availability and the special rates are available until April 20, 2012. Reservations received after April 20, 2012 will be provided on a space available basis at prevailing rates. For your convenience, all reservations can be made by clicking here. CUSTOMER SERVICE EVENT HOTELS Our customer service team is happy to assist you with your hotel reservation. Our customer service team is happy to assist you with your hotel reservation. Please contact them via email at PSASportsHousing@explorePSA.com or call them at +1 888 390 5003. Their hours of operations are: Mon – Fri    8:00am to Midnight EST Sat               9:00am to 5:00pm EST Sun              closed Elite Athlete accommodations can be found here. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/video_tour_of_the_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_run_course http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/video_tour_of_the_itu_world_triathlon_san_diego_run_course#When:02:35:45Z Click here to view the current course maps. Please note that course is subject to change. This video tour is a general overview of the run course and may not represent the exact course in May. Music: Kevin MacLeod 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/preliminary_event_schedule_released http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/preliminary_event_schedule_released#When:02:35:45Z Schedule subject to change, be sure to check back for the most up-to-date schedule. Updated 5/7/12. Shuttle Hours Friday 10:00am – 6:30pm           Sunrunner lot open for athletes and spectators  **Last shuttle departs from venue at 6:00pm.** Saturday 3:30am – 6:30pm             Sunrunner lot open for athletes and spectators **Last shuttle departs from venue at 6:00pm.** Visit the Parking and Shuttle Page for more information.   Wednesday, May 9, 2012 5.00pm                                Elite Briefing (location: Bahia Resort)         6.00pm                                Elite Athletes‘ Dinner (location: Bahia Resort)   Thursday, May 10, 2012 1.00pm                                Age Group Packet Pick-Up opens at Bonita Cove Park 1.00pm                                Expo opens at Bonita Cove Parks 5.30pm                               USA Triathlon Hall of Fame Banquet 6.00pm                                Age Group Packet Pick-Up closes 6.00pm                                Expo closes   Friday, May 11, 2012 11.00am – 8.00pm            Age Group Packet Pick-Up opens 11.00am                              Expo... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/slideshow_getting_to_know_mission_beach http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/slideshow_getting_to_know_mission_beach#When:02:35:45Z 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/video_improving_swim_mechanics http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/video_improving_swim_mechanics#When:02:35:45Z 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/2012_itu_world_triathlon_series_prize_money http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/2012_itu_world_triathlon_series_prize_money#When:02:35:45Z The International Triathlon Union (ITU) is pleased to confirm the prize money for the 2012 ITU World Triathlon Series, with the total prize pool surpassing two million dollars next year. With an overall increase of 15 per cent, prize money from the eight series events and the year-end bonus pool will total $2.06-million (all funds USD). “Across the board we are seeing tremendous growth in our premier series - from spectators to participants to sponsors to broadcast partners and now with prize money for our elite athletes,” said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member.  “On the back this growth, 2012 is poised to be the greatest and most exciting triathlon season to date.” The Grand Final in Auckland will feature a $270,000 prize purse while the prize money for every other series event will be $170,000. Also, each race and the Grand Final will also now award prize money down to the 20th place, whereas in 2011 only athletes who finished in the top-15 claimed prize money. Athletes will vie for an additional $600,000 in the year-end bonus pool which pays the top 30 ranked women and men - up from top-20 - at season’s end. This figure is up from $500,000 in the 2011 season. Overall, it means that there is an increase of $260,000 to the overall pool, up from $1.8-million to $2.06-million.  Finishing the year atop the series rankings will not only earn an athlete the coveted title of “ITU World Champion” but also net $60,000 of the bonus pool. The 2012 ITU World Triathlon Series kicks off on 14-15 April in Sydney, Australia.  With eight events in eight different countries, the 2012 ITU World Champions will be crowned at the Grand Final in Auckland, New Zealand on 20-22 October. The ITU World Triathlon Series was launched in 2009, expanding the former single-day World Championship race.  Points are accrued throughout the season and athletes who win the overall series are crowned the ITU World Champions. For more information on the series, please click here. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_releases_website_dedicated_to_olympic_games http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_releases_website_dedicated_to_olympic_games#When:02:35:45Z By Paula Kim on 16/01/12 at 11:28 pm With exactly 200 days to go until the triathlon competition at the London Olympic Games, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) today launched its official Olympic website: triathlon.org/olympics.  The site will keep fans and media abreast of all the latest news and developments with the triathlon competition at the Olympics, including a breakdown of the complex qualification process. “Triathlon enters its fourth Olympic Games in what is undeniably an exciting sports year as London takes centre stage this summer and we can already see the high demand and appetite for Olympic information and news,” said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member.  “We expect triathlon to be one of the most popular and marquee sports of the London Olympics.” The website includes a course map of the triathlon competition, plus a list of all the live sites in the UK, as well as race reviews and photo galleries from the triathlons at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.  The site will also gather the names that will make up the Olympic start lists as National Olympic Committees (NOCs) officially confirm their athletes that will compete in London. The women’s triathlon in the London Olympic Games will take place at 9am on Saturday 4 August while the men’s race will go at 11:30am on Tuesday 7 August.  ITU’s Olympic qualification period concludes with the ITU World Triathlon Madrid on May 26-27. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/get_to_know_the_course_interactive_panoramas http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/get_to_know_the_course_interactive_panoramas#When:02:35:45Z In order to see this image in 360 view, click here or on the image. http://360.io/kHBksa 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/my_story_a_world_class_triathlon_experience http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/my_story_a_world_class_triathlon_experience#When:02:35:45Z By Catherine Martin | View Catherine's photos on usatriathlon.org “My dear friends,” our smiley Chinese tour guide, Lucy, shouted over the bustle of tourists as we gazed up at the iconic Great Wall. “Go left at top of stairs because lesser people, yes.” We stood at the entrance of the Badaling section of the Great Wall of China just northwest of Beijing. A mix of Team USA triathletes of all ages and their loved ones, we were ready to take advantage of the few days leading up to the 2011 ITU World Championship by visiting the most famous historical and cultural sites the capital city had to offer. As we began climbing the first of many steep stairways, Lucy counseled us to take it easy because after all, we were on vacation. But telling a group of triathletes not to exert themselves is like telling a panda not to be adorable. Needless to say, everyone hiked onward and took in the views, descending the Wall an hour-and-a-half later sweating and reveling in another amazing experience. I’d arrived at Loong Palace Resort, Team USA’s five-star accommodations, two days earlier as a tag-along; my older brother would be competing in the age group Olympic distance triathlon on Sunday. From the moment my family and I stepped off the airport shuttle, the hotel staff treated us like kings, or at least über-wealthy expatriates. Bellmen swept up our luggage, men in pressed suits greeted us at the door — one of whom personally showed us to our two-story suite the size of a condo — and later at one of the hotel restaurants, four waitresses lingered around our table ready to remove our plates the second the last bite was taken. I was initially uncomfortable with the level of service and felt they were putting in too much energy. Employees acted apologetic when they struggled to respond to our questions in English, yet I was the one in their country equipped with a pathetically lacking vocabulary of “Ni hao” and “Xie xie.” But I soon realized how much pride our hosts took in impressing their American guests. Beaming smiles met our compliments and thank-you’s. They made every effort to ensure our Beijing experience was a good one. When my parents informed the concierge that a taxi driver giving us a ride downtown had charged 150 yuan when the meter clearly read 73, he promised to “solve the case” by tracking down the driver. We had a refund by that evening. Then on... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/video_basic_body_mechanics_for_triathlon http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/video_basic_body_mechanics_for_triathlon#When:02:35:45Z For more details on the full video and the entire USA Triathlon Training Series, visit http://usatriathlontraining.com. Visit USA Triathlon's Multisport Lab for the tips and tools you need to take your multisport training to the next level. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/supplement_savy http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/supplement_savy#When:02:35:45Z By Bob Seebohar Do you take a supplement?  I am willing to bet the majority of triathletes take a supplement.  Interestingly, every time I speak to a group of triathletes or triathlon coaches and ask that question, I only have about half of the audience raise their hands. The rest are not being truthful and quite often, it is due to a lack of knowledge. You see, supplements can be classified in three different categories, which is why I am so certain almost every triathlete takes a supplement some time throughout their training year.  You may not think you are taking a supplement because most athletes think these are all performance enhancing and may even border on the lines of being illegal and they want nothing to do with that. Many supplements are not scary by any means.  Sure, there are some out there that fly under the drug testing radar and challenge the ethics of sport but the fact of the matter is that not all supplements are illegal or bad.  In fact, some supplements are extremely beneficial to an athlete.  Let me discuss this in a bit more detail. Supplement Categories The three categories of supplements are 1) dietary, 2) sport and 3) ergogenic.  All serve slightly different purposes in certain athletes. Click to continue reading on usatriathlon.org. For information on substances on the WADA prohibited list, click here. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/nutritional_know-how http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/nutritional_know-how#When:02:35:45Z By Monique Ryan It’s time to get down to business. Even if the most important race on your calendar falls later in the season, visions of race day are dancing in your head. You visualize the most perfect race. Everything went exactly as expected, including your nutrition plan. Race day aside, it is never too soon to move nutrition up a notch on your priority list. In fact this is a great time of year to evaluate and change your diet as it allows room for experimentation and development, laying the foundation for optimal nutritional fine-tuning in the weeks leading up to the start line.  Let’s take a look at how you can build a solid nutrition base, and how to avoid some common nutrition pitfalls. Weigh body composition goals carefully Don’t make assumptions about your weight, but rather get a body composition evaluation and determine goals for changes in both lean mass and fat mass, not just body weight.  While all body fat measurement techniques are indirect, it does provide a more complete picture than a simple scale check. Check your body fat with a competent technician and plan to monitor changes with the same technique (calipers, bio-electrical impedance, hydrostatic weighing) over the season so that you can estimate changes in both lean mass and body fat. By setting realistic body fat and weight goals you should not put too heavy a drain in energy stores and recovery adequately from training. Ideally you should have several months to drop those extra slowing-you-down pounds, or to build muscle and strength. Keep calorie deficits to reasonable drops of 300 to 500 daily, and don’t skip on fueling around training sessions.   Focus on quality Sure, calories matter, but so does the quality of your diet which should be filled with wholesome, not processed, meals and snacks, and a variety of nutrient rich foods. If you are in a nutritional rut now, chances are you may dig even a bigger hole later in the season and find yourself consuming the same old meal and snacks. Take the time to try new foods, new recipes, and maybe even expand your cooking skills. So where do you start? Take an inventory. This could mean keeping a food journal and checking your diet for whole grain, fruit, and vegetable intake frequency. Are you in a breakfast rut- having the same quick coffee shop fix every day? Tired of the same turkey sandwich for lunch? Need some new ideas for dinner? Ask foodie friends for ideas or invest in a... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/video_age_group_registration_is_now_open_for_the_2012_itu_world_triathlon_s http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/video_age_group_registration_is_now_open_for_the_2012_itu_world_triathlon_s#When:02:35:45Z   Visit the registration page for more information and to register. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/three_things_everyone_should_know_about_winter_cycling http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/three_things_everyone_should_know_about_winter_cycling#When:02:35:45Z By Nate Kortuem When riding during the winter months this year it is important to remember these three things. 1.  Road Chemicals. If you like to ride outside and you live in the north then road chemicals are used everywhere you cannot avoid them. Even if you are riding on a dry day the roads are covered with dry chemicals. These chemicals can lead to corrosion and pitting on all metal surfaces of your bike. Almost all bearings and all chains are made of metal so these chemicals bond to all these surfaces. This means it is very important to clean your bike after every ride. The same goes for the spring months in the north when it is raining and the salt spray covers your bike. If you have ever looked closely at a piece of aluminum after road chemicals have been sitting on them, the surfaces get pitted. These pits can weaken and destroy aluminum bike parts. Weakened parts on a bike can be very dangerous for reasons I do not need to explain. The easiest way to clean your bike is with a rag and a bottle of glass cleaner. The important thing is to wipe down your bike after every ride and remove all of these chemicals. This goes for your drive train as well; use bike lube and a rag and run through your chain and cassette. Remember 10 minutes after every ride can save you a huge headache and a lot of time and money in the end. 2.  Lights. During the winter months in the north it tends to get dark much earlier than during the summer months. It is important to get lights for your bike. Even during a sunny day the sun is much lower in the sky. There can be shadows covering the roads in unexpected areas. Drivers could have difficulty seeing you in these areas. Also the roads can be narrower because of snow or ice on the sides of the road. It is important to have a blinking red light on your seat post and a light on your handle bars. If cars cannot see you, then they cannot avoid you. Remember the off-season is the time to heal injuries, not get new ones.  Go to your local bike shop and ask them for lights. They vary in price and even the most expensive lights are cheaper and less painful than a night in the hospital. 3.  Tires. In the winter months there can be debris in the roadway that is unavoidable. Ice, gravel and snow are common. When ever possible try to avoid these areas. To keep your rubber on the road, get bigger tires. If you normally ride 23c tires try riding a 25c tire with more tread on it.... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/maintaining_proper_nutrition_during_the_holiday_food_season http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/maintaining_proper_nutrition_during_the_holiday_food_season#When:02:35:45Z By Bob Seebohar The holidays are right around the corner. You may have read other articles about how to control yourself during these times so why are read another? Well, you want more support in your journey of not being another weight gain statistic during the holiday season of course! Is it possible to not gain weight during the holidays? Most certainly! Is it difficult? Absolutely! This is the challenge that the holidays present to us from a nutrition standpoint. Food is social and the food during the holiday season is ever so delicious! In your quest of maintaining your weight in the upcoming months, I have included seven, what I call, “nutrition nibbles” to help you make smart choices during this holiday season. Balance what goes in...blood sugar Balancing your blood sugar will reduce your cravings and temptations when food is plentiful. Eat a good source of lean protein with fiber (fruits and veggies) and you will be on your way to optimal blood sugar control. Move it or gain it! Stated another way…be physically active. The more you can stay with your set exercise program the better. If you don’t have one or you are traveling and you will not have equipment, simply take frequent walks with family and friends. The more the merrier! Be confident in condiment choosing! Just say no! Many condiments have many hidden calories. Enjoy the taste of the food more than what you put on it. Using spices such as cinnamon, basil, oregano and garlic can help really make a food taste good. Don’t be a fish out of water. Stay hydrated! Sometimes, if your blood sugar is under control, you may just be thirsty. Aim for going to the bathroom every 2-3 hours to ensure that you are staying hydrated. Are your eyes bigger than your stomach? Slow down with one plate! Use the one plate rule. Fill one plate and make one trip to the food table only. Know your limits before going in and stick to it. Taste your food. Remember, your taste buds are on your tongue, not your stomach. There is no rush in getting the food down to the stomach so slow down and enjoy the taste of it! Make a plan. It’s all about EXECUTION! If you know what you are going to do before going to a party, you can execute it much better than not having a plan beforehand. Make a healthy plan and execute it. Of course, the true meaning of holidays is to be with family and friends so enjoy this time more than the... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/sifting_through_the_sugars_the_good_bad_and_the_ugly http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/sifting_through_the_sugars_the_good_bad_and_the_ugly#When:02:35:45Z By Monique Ryan America clearly is in the midst of a long love affair with refined carbohydrates, particularly in the form of added sugars. In the typical American diet,  20-perent of our total carbohydrate intake and 10-percent of our total calorie intake comes from the pervasive sugar additive corn syrup. Added sugar consumption is currently estimated at well over 150 pounds per person each year. How does sugar fit into the diet of a triathlete that consumes a healthy diet geared to both optimal performance and good health, but who may enjoy a sweet taste now and then? Sifting through the sugars Triathletes appreciate that carbohydrate, refined or not, provides fuel for their muscles, brain, and nervous system during exercise. Adequate amounts of carbohydrate in your daily diet impacts your recovery by replacing your body’s carbohydrate fuel stores from one training session to the next.  Sugars are one simple form of carbohydrate found in both healthy nutrient filled foods, but also in processed foods with very little nutritional value. Smart triathletes choose not only the proper quantity of fuel, but quality fuel as well. When we refer to “sugar” we commonly think of the white stuff that may sweeten your morning coffee, but this term refers to simple carbohydrates composed of single and double carbohydrate molecules. Glucose, fructose, and galactose are monosaccharides or single carbohydrate molecules that are the building blocks for carbohydrates found in our diet. Disaccharides are composed of two sugar molecules and include sucrose (table sugar), which is a combination of glucose and fructose, and lactose (milk sugar), which a combination of glucose and lactose. Corn syrup is a combination of glucose and fructose, and a processed sugar frequently listed on food labels. Too put “sugars” in the context of the general term carbohydrate, complex carbohydrate are simply long chains of glucose molecules. Added sugar is simply sugars added to food such as sweeteners. Naturally occurring sugar is found in foods and not added in processing, preparation, or at the table. To make choosing the right sugars simple- when classifying sugars as good or bad, nutrients provided with these sugar containing foods should be your primary consideration. The good, the not-so-good and how much sugar can you have? Click here to read the full article. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/offseason_training_tip_weight_loss_in_the_offseason_dont_do_it http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/offseason_training_tip_weight_loss_in_the_offseason_dont_do_it#When:02:35:45Z By Bob Seebohar Maybe your goal is to try to shed a few pounds. Or maybe weight loss is not a concern for you.  The offseason is one of the worst times of the year to try to actively lose weight. Of course, it sounds funny because everyone you talk to plants the idea in your head that you should put off your weight loss goals until this time of the year when you get a break. That is the farthest thing from the truth! Offseason Logistics That heading itself is quite the oxymoron. Logistics in the offseason? Isn’t the offseason a time to relax, enjoy your accomplishments from the race season and let your body heal both mentally and physically? Absolutely! That is why logistics is the wrong term to describe your nutrition goals for the offseason. Any coach will tell you, as long as you are not competing in a different sport, that you should take a break during the offseason. In fact, the term training should be replaced by fitness. Following a training program during the offseason is like oil and water, they just don’t mix. Rejuvenate, Recover and Relax The main goal of the off-season is to allow your body to recover from the intense training and racing season. It is a time when your body wants and needs a physical and mental reprieve.  Think about it. Do you really follow a training program during the off-season or do you simply exercise for fun to maintain some fitness? If you do not follow a structured training program during this time, how can you expect your body to follow a structured nutrition program? Herein lies one of the main reasons why some athletes gain unnecessary weight during the offseason. They are simply not allowing their body to relax-nutritionally. Don’t get me wrong, I am not supporting the idea of letting your nutrition guard down. What I am conveying is the idea of energy control and learning more about your emotions and how they are related to your eating patterns during the offseason. Most athletes with whom I have worked do not fair well by taking a planned rest cycle while attempting to lose weight. Does it sound all too familiar? Training volume and intensity decrease significantly and you tell yourself that you are really going to focus on decreasing the amount of calories you eat so you can lose weight. Nine times out of ten you start off with a bang.  Everything is going according to the “plan.” Then in about two weeks, or about the same time that first holiday pops... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/san_diego_age_group_course_tour_video http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/san_diego_age_group_course_tour_video#When:02:35:45Z 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/san_diego_world_triathlon_course_maps_released http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/san_diego_world_triathlon_course_maps_released#When:02:35:45Z The race venue/transition area is located in Mission Beach, while the swim consists of one lap in Mission Bay. The bike course navigates the roads of Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and South La Jolla. This includes an epic ascent up Mount Soledad and inspiring views of La Jolla, Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. The run portion is along the paths and streets of Mission Beach. Age Group maps are posted as PDFs below for both Olympic and Sprint Distances. Click a map below to view the PDF. ITU World Triathlon San Diego Venue Map Olympic Distance Course Maps (Updated May 4) Swim Bike (inset maps can be found in the event guide) Run Sprint Distance Course Maps (Updated May 4) Swim Bike (inset maps can be found in the event guide) Run Elite Complete course Detailed Elite maps can be found here. Parking and Road Closures Event parking information can be found on the parking page and road closures can be found here. Notes: Course maps updated May 4. Course subject to change at any time. The Sprint Bike Course is 26k, NOT 20k as originally posted. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/san_diego_triathlon_course_description http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/san_diego_triathlon_course_description#When:02:35:45Z The race venue/transition area is located in Mission Beach, while the swim consists of one lap in Mission Bay. The bike course navigates the roads of Mission Beach, Pacific Beach and South La Jolla. This includes an epic ascent up Mount Soledad and inspiring views of La Jolla, Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. The run portion is along the paths and streets of Mission Beach. Course maps for the age-group, Olympic-distance and sprint races are currently being finalized and will be posted on sandiego.triathlon.org immediately upon approval by local community groups. 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/san_diego_by_the_numbers http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/san_diego_by_the_numbers#When:02:35:45Z September 25, 1974 Date the first triathlon took place at San Diego’s Mission Bay. The race consisted of a 5.3-mile run, followed by a 5-mile bike and a 600-yard swim in the Bay. 46 Total number of athletes that finished the first triathlon. 3,200 The Triathlon Club of San Diego is one of the oldest triathlon clubs in the world. Founded in 1984, the club has over 3,200 active members in San Diego and produces more than 20 races every year. 201 San Diego averages over 201 days above 70 degrees Farenheit 70, 31, 453, 4,395 Along with the 70 miles of beaches, San Diego plays home to numerous entertainment locations that attract over 31 million people a year. San Diego has approximately 453 hotel and motel properties with over 4,395 rooms available to visitors. 2014 Would be the 40th anniversary of the first triathlon, which could potentially be celebrated at another ITU World Triathlon event in San Diego. 2 Number of Super Bowls the city of San Diego has hosted. 7 The number of USA Triathlon partners with offices in the San Diego area, considered the business hub of the triathlon industry. TYR, Active Network, XTERRA Wetsuits, Competitor Group, Squadra, Innovative Companies and Ludus Tours call San Diego home while the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) and many other organizations and businesses also are based in San Diego.   2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/differences_between_elites_and_age-groupers http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/differences_between_elites_and_age-groupers#When:02:35:45Z By Jayme Ramson In the fast-paced world of International Triathlon Union racing, no athlete is untouchable. Anything can happen to anyone, anytime and anywhere on the course. While age-groupers can overcome a poor swim or a sluggish T1, as an elite, a shot at the podium likely has vanished with one miscue. At the 2012 ITU World Triathlon San Diego, age-groupers will have the unique opportunity to compete alongside the best Olympic-distance triathletes in the world, including many of the athletes you’ll see in contention for medals at the 2012 Olympic Games. Here’s our ITU racing primer, the best way to learn the differences between the way age-groupers race and the way the pros do. Pre-race • Elites attend a mandatory pre-race rules briefing prior to the race. They also check in at the athlete area prior to their warm-up. Swim • Most ITU World Championship Series races consist of a two-lap swim totaling 1,500 meters. Athletes dive in together from a pontoon, complete one lap, dive off the pontoon again, then complete the second lap. • Age-group swims vary. Some races feature wave starts, where athletes are grouped with others in their age group. Other races feature time-trial starts, where athletes enter the water a few seconds apart. • The maximum water temperature for elites/pros to wear wetsuits is 68 degrees for the Olympic distance. • Age-groupers can wear wetsuits until the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees. At their own discretion, age-groupers can wear wetsuits with a water temperature between 78 and 84 but they are not eligible for awards or prizes, according to USA Triathlon rules. T1 • Coming into T1, the elites are stripping out of their wetsuits (provided it’s a wetsuit-legal swim), putting on their helmets and removing their bikes at a quick pace. How quick? Great Britain’s Alistair Brownlee, the top-ranked male triathlete in the world, completed T1 in 36 seconds at the London WCS race (a non-wetsuit swim). • Although no two transition areas are exactly alike, at USA Triathlon’s 2011 Age Group National Championship, the majority of competitors took over a minute in T1. Bike • Elites race on road bikes in draft-legal races and don’t wear aero helmets since they’ll likely be racing in a pack. • In draft-legal races, some elites opt to race without aero bars depending on the course. Athletes who try to break away on the bike... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age-groupers_reactions_to_a_major_race_in_san_diego http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age-groupers_reactions_to_a_major_race_in_san_diego#When:02:35:45Z While elite athletes will make their way to San Diego for the first World Championship Series race on U.S. soil since 2009, age group athletes also will be part of the mix. Up to 3,000 age-groupers will have the opportunity to compete in either sprint or Olympic-distance races at the same venue as the world’s best athletes. From club members to Team USA, here’s what age-groupers have to say about racing in a major international event, right here on home soil. “Seeing how China kind of built up the 2011 ITU World Championships, seeing the flags along the highways, seeing how many spectators came out, I think that if the U.S. were to able promote it the right way, the pro athletes and just the sport in general could get more recognition. Because I think it’s an incredible sport, it’s changed my life and I think there are a lot of people out there who aren’t quite sure what it means beyond the Ironman at Kona.” — Courtney Wagner (Tampa, Fla.)  “I grew up in San Diego. My dad was one of the first guys in the sport back in the 70s. In fact, he used to run with the San Diego Tri Club, and they’re the guys who invented the sport on Fiesta Island in 1974. I used to spend my vacations following him around to Ironman races. So it’s right in my old backyard. I think it’s great. It’s about time San Diego had a world-class event. My brother still lives there. I’ll take my kids there. We’ll go back and have some fun.” — Jeremy Oury (Hamilton, Mont.)  “It’s about time, especially in San Diego. San Diego is the mecca of triathlon. It used to be the place everybody would go for training. Now it’s Colorado, but in the 80s and 90s, San Diego was the place. Scott Molina, Scott Tinley and Mark Allen — they were all in San Diego.” — Carlos Dolabella (Key Biscayne, Fla.) “Being the birthplace of triathlon, there is already a large group of avid athletes in San Diego who would surely spectate and participate.  With the magnitude of this race, getting a chance to see numerous Olympians competing at the highest level would bring people out who were even mildly curious about the sport.” — Brian Wrona (San Diego, Calif.) “[The event] will have a big following. San Diego and Southern California have a large number of races, very good races, so there is already a large pool of athletes who... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/right_time_right_place2 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/right_time_right_place2#When:02:35:45Z By Mackenzie Lobby In the world of endurance sports, exercise isn’t just an activity, but a lifestyle. Perhaps that is why these sports are inextricably linked to particular points on the map; long with the sports themselves come deeply rooted cultures and histories. For instance, England often claims ownership over swimming. When one thinks of cycling, the French countryside comes to mind. Meanwhile, the marathon conjures images of the Ancient Greeks in pursuit of Athens. While the sport of triathlon is in its nascent phases, its defining connection to a geographical location is no different. To truly understand the foundations of the sport, one must also have an appreciation for the place that is considered triathlon’s modern birthplace: San Diego, Calif. It all began on Mission Bay, just south of San Diego’s Pacific Beach neighborhood. Formerly a tidal marsh, and once a channel through which the San Diego River drained to the Ocean, the city conducted a dredging project between 1946 and 1962 to develop Mission Bay. When all was said and done, newly created land made the area a district fit for construction. One of the freshly formed landmasses, Fiesta Island, served as the perfect staging area for the modern beginnings of multisport. Jack Johnstone was the catalyst. A former collegiate swimmer who moved to San Diego via the U.S. Navy, he sought an activity that would keep him in shape and feed his competitive ambitions. In 1973 he signed up for the Dave Pain Birthday Biathlon, a 4.5 mile run and .25 mile swim. After a respectable finish, he wanted more.  “I decided more of these events should be put on,” he remembers.  Johnstone contacted Bill Stock, the San Diego Track Club Calendar Chairman, and proposed putting a running and swimming event on their schedule. Stock put him in contact with Don Shanahan who had similar ambitions of multisport races. Together the two conceived of an event that combined swimming, biking and running, figuring the term “triathlon” was apt. It was officially dubbed the Mission Bay Triathlon. As advertised in the San Diego Track Club’s Newsletter, the race information read: RUN, CYCLE, SWIM: TRIATHLON SET FOR 25TH "The First Annual Mission Bay Triathlon, a race consisting of segments of running, bicycle riding, and swimming, will start at the causeway to Fiesta Island at 5:45 p.m. September 25. The event will consist of 6 miles of running (longest... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age-group_registration_opens_wednesday_for_itu_wcs_triathlon_-_san_diego http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/age-group_registration_opens_wednesday_for_itu_wcs_triathlon_-_san_diego#When:02:35:45Z Age-group triathletes will have the opportunity to secure a spot on the same course as the world’s top Olympic-distance competitors in scenic San Diego for the 2012 International Triathlon Union (ITU) WCS event in San Diego. Multisport athletes interested in competing in this world-class event — slated for May 12-13, 2012 — should visit http://sandiego.triathlon.org/age-group_registration for more information and a link to register via the Active Network. Registration will be available for the sprint- (750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike, 5-kilometer run) and Olympic-distance (1,500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run) age-group events, as well as the Olympic-distance relay event. Click here to visit the registration page. Race-day action is scheduled to start on Saturday, May 12, 2012, with the age-group Olympic-distance and relay races at 6:30 a.m., followed by the sprint-distance event at 9:30 a.m. The elite men will start at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, followed by the elite women at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 13. Pricing for age-group registration is as follows: Registration Date Sprint Olympic Relay (teams of 3) Oct. 12 - Dec. 31 $140 $195 $230 Jan. 1 - Feb. 29 $150 $210 $240 March 1 until sold out $160 $225 $250 Competition also will be offered in Military and Collegiate Club Divisions. The Military Club Division will feature following branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. Collegiate Clubs must be registered as an official USA Triathlon club in order to compete in San Diego. The elite events are the second of two qualifiers to determine the men’s and women’s 2012 U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team. The event also will play a key role in determining the Olympic squads for a number of other nations, as it is the second-to-last WCS event prior to the closing of the ITU’s 2012 Olympic qualification window at the end of next May. One-hundred and fifty of the world’s fastest triathletes — 75 elite men and 75 elite women — will compete in the draft-legal, Olympic-distance race contested at Mission Bay. The venue is adjacent to Fiesta Island, which hosted the world’s first-ever triathlon on Sept. 25, 1974. USA Triathlon will produce the event alongside the Hamburg, Germany-based UpSolut Sports AG and... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/san_diego_to_host_2012_itu_world_championship_series_event http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/san_diego_to_host_2012_itu_world_championship_series_event#When:02:35:45Z It was announced today that the International Triathlon Union (ITU) has approved USA Triathlon and the city of San Diego to serve as hosts for the sport’s premier Olympic-distance series in May 2012. Pending final approval of the race course by local communities, San Diego — the birthplace of triathlon — will welcome the world’s top triathletes as one of eight stops on the ITU World Championship Series (WCS).  Next year’s races, scheduled for May 12-13, 2012, will serve as the second of two qualifier events to determine the 2012 U.S. Olympic Men’s and Women’s Triathlon Team. The event also will play a key role in determining the Olympic squads for a number of other nations, as it is the second-to-last WCS event prior to the closing of the ITU’s 2012 Olympic qualification window at the end of next May.   One-hundred and fifty of the world’s fastest triathletes — 75 elite men and 75 elite women — will compete in the draft-legal, Olympic-distance race (1,500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike, 10-kilometer run) contested at Mission Bay. The venue is adjacent to Fiesta Island, which hosted the world’s first-ever triathlon on Sept. 25, 1974. In conjunction with the WCS event, top-flight Olympic- and sprint-distance age-group races will be contested with a total of up to 3,000 amateurs competing in the same venue as the world’s best athletes. Age-group athletes will be able to register for the races later this month. An expo and festival also will be held May 10-11, 2012, as part of the lead-up to the race weekend. Admission for spectators is free and open to the public all week. USA Triathlon will produce the event alongside the Hamburg, Germany-based UpSolut Sports AG and Lagardere Unlimited. The San Diego Sports Commission, the City of San Diego and the San Diego Triathlon Club have partnered with USA Triathlon to assist in bringing this world-class event to the city. “We are thrilled to bring the world’s top triathletes to the very city which gave birth to our sport,” said Rob Urbach, USA Triathlon CEO. “Southern California is a triathlon mecca and the perfect venue to host annual elite and age-group races as part of the ITU World Championship Series. On behalf of USA Triathlon, I’d like to thank the City of San Diego and all of the local organizing entities for making this event possible, as well as UpSolut and Lagardere Unlimited for... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00 http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_announces_schedule_for_2012_itu_triathlon_world_championship_series http://sandiego.triathlon.org/news/article/itu_announces_schedule_for_2012_itu_triathlon_world_championship_series#When:02:35:45Z At its 24th annual Congress, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) today unveiled the dates and host cities for the 2012 ITU Triathlon World Championship Series. Wrapped around the London 2012 Olympic Games, the world’s top triathletes will battle for the ITU World Championship titles in an 8-city global series staged on four continents, including a stop in triathlon’s birthplace - San Diego, California, USA. 2012 ITU Triathlon World Championship Series: April 14-15: Sydney, Australia May 12-13: San Diego, USA May 26-27: Madrid, Spain (final event in Olympic qualifying) June 23-24: Kitzbühel, Austria July 21-22: Hamburg, Germany August 25-26: Lausanne, Switzerland (includes ITU Team Triathlon World Championships) September (exact weekend TBC): Yokohama, Japan Grand Final – October 20-22: Auckland, New Zealand All elite women’s and men’s races will be broadcast live to an international audience and streamed online live.  In 2011, the series was broadcast in more than 160 countries. “The ITU World Championship Series is the pinnacle of triathlon, which will be exemplified with the 2012 installment of the series and a line-up of eight world class cities,” said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member. “The sport and this series continues to grow every year and we expect 2012 to be the most spectacular triathlon season ever.” The first series event of 2012 takes place in Sydney for the third straight year amidst the backdrop of legendary Sydney Opera house, where the triathlon was held in its Olympic Games debut in 2000. Next up will be a historic event in San Diego, California, the city where triathlon was first invented back in 1974.  San Diego becomes the second U.S. city to host a round of the series after Washington, D.C. in 2009. Then the series shifts to Europe for four rounds, starting with Madrid, candidate city for the 2020 Olympic Games.  Long been a favourite for many ITU stars, Madrid has hosted World Championship Series events and World Cups since 2003.  Raising the stakes in Madrid is that it will be the final opportunity for athletes to collect Olympic qualifying points.  Qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Games will come full circle as it began in Madrid in June 2010. Kitzbühel, Austria will host a round of the series for the fourth straight year. The 2012 edition will feature a redesigned course with a more demanding and... 2013-04-21T02:35:45+00:00