The triathlon season officially kicked off with the breaking of the ice at Gosling Creek in October, but full-blown racing begins in a big way in the colour city this weekend.
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The Orange Cycle and Triathlon Club will host the Triathlon NSW ITU Super Sprint Championships, with close to a total of 200 of the best triathletes from the ACT and NSW competing in youth, junior and under 23s divisions at Gosling Creek.
It’s the second year in a row the Orange Piranhas has hosted the juniors event and coach Mel Ashton-Garard said both the club and its new home are ideal suitors for the championship.
“It’s quite a technical circuit and the kids that came last year loved it,” Ashton-Garard said.
“It’s not about being big and strong, it’s fit and fast and technically superior. And that’s what we want to highlight.”
The experienced triathlon mentor said council has been brilliant in its work to help the Orange club move from Lake Canobolas to Gosling Creek.
“We’ve been very lucky. Council got on board and opened it up for us to use. They’ve been excellent to help facilitate that,” Ashton-Garard said
“The West Lime boys delivered the sand out there so the beach is ready to go. It’s a fantastic area and we don’t have to worry about traffic.”
While two of the championships best in Connor Whiteley and Jack Bilton won’t be competing on their home track – the pair has HSC commitments on Monday – Ashton-Garard was confident the hosts would star at Gosling Creek.
Triathlon NSW development squad member Lauren Kerwick will take part, while Ashton-Garard said the likes of Jessie Dean, Rory Thornhill, Ethan Buesnell and Tom Tudor are ones to watch.
“We’ve got the best in NSW and ACT coming out here in juniors category,” she added.
The competition will also run a mixed team relay, which Orange will have two sides compete in.
“That’s quite unique actually. It hasn’t been run at this level of athlete before,” she said.
“It’ll be at the Olympics for the first time in 2020 and at the Comm games on the Gold Coast for a second time in 2018.
“It’s a developmental tool. Two boys and two girls are in each team.”
The championship will run for two days at the venue, with racing beginning from 8.45am on Saturday and 8am on Sunday.
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
