TRIATHLON’S super siblings Tristan and Stephanie Harrison last weekend took the initial steps to ensuring they rack up consecutive appearances at the ITU World Triathlon Championships.
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With the 2015 championships looming in Chicago, USA, in April, the Orange duo shone at the Victorian state championships in Yarrawonga, with Tristan finishing first in the aquathlon and Stephanie claiming silver in her age group to edge closer to a berth on the world stage at America’s windy city next year.
With the pair both concentrating on the aquathlon ahead of next year’s event, the Yarrawonga multi sport event was crucial in their bid to qualify.
Claiming large portions of the points on offer in the opening qualifying event in Victoria - there are just three other aquathlons that hold qualifying points - the Harrisons believe the trip to Southport, Queensland in February next year for the third race in the qualifying process will all but secure their places in the team to head to Chicago.
“There’s not many people who can do three or even two races to get above that amount of points,” Tristan said, with the two other races in Hobart and Adelaide.
An event that combines running and swimming, a typical aquathlon is staged under a run-swim-run combination.
Tristan praised the Victorian event, part of the third annual Yarrawonga Mulwala Multi Sport Festival.
“It was completely flat, it was set out well and there was a lot of strong competition down there,” the 22-year-old added.
The race success and imminent progression to another world triathlon event comes on the back of the Harrisons claiming awards at the Charles Sturt University sports awards.
Tristan claimed the CSU sportsperson of the year gong and a sporting blue award, while Stephanie, 18, took home the female rookie of the year crown.
For Stephanie, a first year early childhood and primary teaching student, competing in triathlons has plenty of upsides.
“I love the atmosphere,” she said. “You meet so many incredible people. Racing itself is good, because everyone cheers out for you if you’re from a different country and it’s a fun way to see the world too.”
Tristan says he competes to push himself to the limits.
“I want to do it to achieve the best result I can, and for the enjoyment,” said Tristan, who has a year to run on his physical education teaching degree.
“I’ve had pretty good results at the last two I’ve been to, and I’m experienced enough now to know that I should be able to really compete.”
