TRIATHLON
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THERE’S plenty of changes ahead of the opening round of the 2014-15 Central West Inter-Club Triathlon Series at Lake Canobolas tomorrow morning, but don’t expect a halt to the dominance of the Piranhas women to be one of them.
The cornerstone behind the Orange Cycle and Triathlon Club’s run of five-straight series wins, the Piranhas women have started this season on fire, and with Jess Richards, Estelle Dean, Christine Wolfson and Janet Martin leading the way not even a new point scoring system is tipped to stop the defending champion’s run at six consecutive crowns.
“There’s a bit of pressure now ... but it’s more important for people to turn up,” Richards said, the scoring system rewarding the club with high achievers rather than participation this summer.
The move is designed to bring Mudgee, Cowra, Bathurst and Dubbo triathlon clubs into the mix with Orange.
Martin agreed with Richards, adding the levelling of the field was good for triathlon competition in the region.
“The other clubs will have more of a chance now, I think it’s a good idea. I know Orange has been dominating,” Martin said.
And, that’s largely because of the women.
Heading into this year’s series, Martin won the Australian Duathlon women’s title for 40-44 years age group in Adelaide last month.
She’ll now compete in the world titles next year, to be hosted in Adelaide.
Wolfson, too, won in Adelaide, claiming the Australian Duathlon women’s title for 45-49 years age group, while in October she also won the Nepean Triathlon - the longest running triathlon in Australia - in the 45-49 years women’s age group.
While both triathletes will no doubt be at the pointy end of the field during tomorrow’s 400m swim, 20km bike leg and 5km inter-club run, Dean and Richards won’t be far behind.
Dean says her motivation was family based.
“We’re being coached and just wanting to put it all together,” she said.
“We’ve got children doing it, so it’s nice to lead by example. And it’s good to keep your fitness going all year round.”
Richards added she enjoys the challenge.
“I think we’ve worked out we’ve all been getting stronger each year, so you’ve got to keep it up otherwise you drop out. It gives you motivation to keep going,” Richards said, adding Wolfson’s form was irresistible at present.
“She’s going great guns at the moment, she’s really strong and she’ll be the one to look out for on the weekend.”
The 2014-15 inter-club series begins at 9.30am tomorrow morning at Lake Canobolas.