Swim BC invites all Triathlon BC members to its inaugural BC Open Water Swimming Championships. There will be 1.5km, 3km and 5km races offered in age categories 12 & Under, 14 & Under, and Open. Complete information on the event can be found at https://www.swimming.ca/meetlist.aspx or, to see the release, click HERE.

TRIATHLON BC ENDOWMENT FUNDS (February 15, 2007)

Mary Leliveld Fund - Mary loved amateur athletics. She was a competitive runner, cyclist and triathlete who competed for Canada on the Canadian National Triathlon Team at the World Triathlon Championships in 2001, 2003 and 2004. In addition to being a top age group athlete, she inspired others to achieve their dreams through sport.  The directive of this fund is to help deserving athletes get to competitions they otherwise might not be able to race in. Specifically, the fund will help pay for race fees, travel and accommodations of athletes who are recommended by Triathlon British Columbia. Learn about the Mary Leliveld Endowment Fund HERE.

Marc Duncan Fund - Marc was a troubled native BC teen who was taken under the wing of a BC couple and introduced to triathlon.  He became an outstanding junior triathlete who represented Canada at the 1991 World Triathlon Championships in Australia.  Tragically, he was killed in a house fire two years later.  His coach and mentor, Todd Clark, along with many of his training partners and friends asked TriBC to establish a fund in his name to assist other junior athletes in financial need to meet their sport goals. Learn about the Marc Duncan Fund HERE.

ATHLETE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - SUBMISSION DEADLINE, MARCH 17 (February 14, 2008)

The BC Athlete Assistance Program (BC AAP) is an athlete-centred program of financial assistance funded and administered by the Sport and Recreation Branch of the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts. BC AAP seeks to recognize and support BC high performance athletes striving to represent the Province and Canada in athletic competition. Athletes who have demonstrated the potential and commitment to attain this level of excellence can qualify for different levels of financial support based on relative levels of development and competition achieved within the overall limits of funds available.

The program seeks to relieve some of the pressures associated with training and competition needs when participating in provincial, national and international sport events. The Sport and Recreation Branch intends that BC AAP focus on those athletes who are in the position to compete for Team BC and are just below those receiving Sport Canada funding. This financial assistance will ensure a continuum of support for the development of national and international class BC athletes.

Full details, including selection criteria, can be found HERE.

TRIATHLON BC PART-TIME SUMMER EVENTS POSITION (February 13, 2008)

TriBC is seeking an energetic individual to fill a part-time Summer Events position. The ideal candidate will reside in either the Okanagan or on Vancouver Island, and be a mature individual with a wide range of business and sports experience looking for a position in the fast-paced sports field. The Event Rep attends various Provincial Race Series events, and may be called upon to assist the Executive Director and/or the Board of Directors with various tasks for the Organization.  

This part-time position involves primarily weekend work, with hours of work as determined by a predefined race schedule.

For full details, please click on the JOB DESCRIPTION, noting the closing date of Monday, March 3rd.

KRISTINE CHAMBERS RECIPIENT OF INVESTORS GROUP SPORT ADMINISTRATOR AWARD (February 4, 2008) 

Kristine Chambers has been described as a coach.  A teacher.  An instructor.  A mentor.  An opponent.  A motivator.  An inspiration.  A parent.   And much more.   Kristine has fulfilled these and other roles consistently.  In doing so, she has set strong values and beliefs underlying her daily practice.  Whether she is coaching Canada’s top swimmers, partnering with the World Triathlon governing body (ITU), working with Exceleration’s youth triathlon members, or setting in motion another school workshop, Kristine’s never ending enthusiasm and charismatic nature empowers those around her.  Kristine’s supercharged energy is critical to her interaction with young athletes across the province, helping kids from all walks of life capture the power of Sport.

Kristine embodies the very nature and essence of coaching; humble and patient, she guides athletes to recognize the positive in themselves and others….bringing about their best, regardless of the outcome.

Congratulations, Kristine!

$100,000 Available to Affiliate Clubs for Coach Education and Development (January 29, 2007)

The Coaching Association of Canada reminded community clubs that they have until February 14 to apply for a $2,000 General Motors Making Dreams Possible grant to support their coach education and development programs.

General Motors of Canada (GM), in collaboration with the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), has developed the Making Dreams Possible program which is designed to support coaches at the high performance and community levels. In its first year the Making Dreams Possible initiative has awarded 115 club coaching grants and 10 high performance coaching grants across Canada. These grants have already provided funds for training and skill development to over 5,000 coaches, and ultimately affecting nearly 70,000 Canadian athletes.

In the years leading up to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, GM's Making Dreams Possible program will provide a minimum of 100 grants of $2,000 each annually for coach development in local communities and 10 grants of $10,000 each annually to coaches of high performance athletes. These grants will be used to fund special projects to enhance the skills and abilities of elite and community level coaches.

Head coaches, technical directors or the president of community sports clubs can apply for the club coaching grants. Application forms can be found through www.coach.ca.

CANADA SUMMER GAMES -  MANAGER APPOINTED! (December 18, 2007)

Triathlon BC would like to announce the appointment of Victoria’s Barb Sharpe as the BC Team Manager for the 2009 Canada Summer Games. 

As the Team Manager attending the 2007 USA Nationals with the National Triathlon Centre’s (NTC) Junior Development Group, Barb worked in close concert with Canada Games Head Coach, Patrick Kelly, where she oversaw logistics dealing with athlete travel, equipment and web updates.  In her new role as BC Team Manager, Barb will no doubt draw upon her experience as an alumni of the BC Summer Games, where she was the Team Manager of Zone 6.

Barb believes that the road leading to the Games will be exciting and fun for everyone.  With her previous experience as Team Manager, her knowledge of the long listed athletes, Barb further  comments that “BC has some of the best athletes in Canada, I’m proud to be part of the development cycle, helping these kids stay focused at the pool and on the road!”

Triathlon BC would like to thank and acknowledge the many talented individuals that applied for the position, and would also like to recognize KC Emerson for filling the interim Games Manager position.

For information about the 2009 Canada Summer Games, please click on www.canadagames.ca.

TRICANADA 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT BIDS:  Triathlon Canada is requesting bids for the hosting of 2008 National Championships and Qualifying Events. Completed bids must be submitted by December 14^th 2007. Download Bid Criteria HERE, Bid Request Forms HERE

VANCOUVER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - AGE GROUPS SPOTS (November 27, 2007)

Triathlon Canada would like to extend the opportunity to those athletes who were unable to compete at a 2008 Vancouver World Championships qualifying event this past 2007 season but are interested in obtaining an age group spot for the 2008 World Championships. 

There are very few spots still available in some group categories in the Olympic and Sprint distances.

If you wish to apply for a 2008 Vancouver World Championships spot, please complete and submit the following items to the National Office (info@triathloncanada.com or by fax: 416.426.7294) by Tuesday, December 2^nd,  2007.

1. Special Qualifying Application Form*

2. Race Resume highlighting 2007 season results or medical documentation outlining why you were unable to compete.

3. Triathlon Canada Team Registration Form* – Olympic or Sprint Distance.

4. 2008 Waiver and Privacy Policy*

*Available directly from Triathlon Canada.  To request these items, please email info@triathloncanada.com

There is a $150.00 assessment fee in addition to your Team and Race Entry fee. Please note that if your application is not approved, $100.00 will be refunded and you will not be charged for the Team and Race Entry Fee

Applying athletes must also meet the following criteria:

1. You must be in good standing with your Provincial Association and hold a valid membership number. Failure to list your membership # on your registration form will result in a incomplete form and therefore will not be processed.

2.  You must be a Canadian citizen or hold a valid Canadian Passport

3. Complete the registration package and pay the associated fee(s) within the deadlines outlined by Triathlon Canada

All applications received by the deadline date will be screened to ensure they meet the published criteria than remaining spots will be filled through random selection.

FISU WORLD TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM APPLICATION (November 19, 2007)

Triathlon Canada is pleased to announce the application process for the 2008 International Federation of University Sport (FISU) Triathlon World Championships, June 27 - 29th, 2008 in Erdek, Turkey.  This is a draft-legal Olympic distance race against the best student triathletes in the world.  Applications for the 6 female positions and 5 male positions will be accepted until December 7, 2007.  The 2008 FISU Triathlon World Championships team will be announced on December 15th, 2007. 

Interested individuals must complete and submit the 2008 FISU Triathlon Application to Triathlon Canada.  Please note the following eligibility requirements:

• Born between January 1st, 1980 and December 31st, 1990

• Registered for and pursuing a full time course of study at a university or be a former student of a university and have obtained an academic degree or diploma in the year preceding the event (if selected, certification from the official institution is necessary).

• Membership with a provincial triathlon governing body

• Demonstrated competency in draft legal racing (i.e., participation in a draft-legal race, drafting card, verification of competence by a cycling or triathlon coach)

The applications of those eligible athletes will then be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Olympic distance performances (time and placement)

• Draft-legal experience

• Personal best times

• Brief written description of how acceptance onto the 2008 FISU Triathlon World Championships Team would impact your development in the sport of triathlon.

Athletes are responsible for all costs related to participation in the event. 

Successful applicants will be notified on the announcement date of December 15th, 2007.

To download the FISU TEAM APPLICATION, click HERE.

Please email applications to: info@triathloncanada.com, RE:  FISU Team

FEMALE COACHING MENTOR/APPRENTICE PROGRAM (August 1, 2007)

ProMOTION Plus is now accepting applications for mentors and apprentice coaches for the 2008 

BC Summer Games in Kelowna.

Application Deadline: on or before midnight September 15th, 2007.

ProMOTION Plus, Coaches Association of BC and the BC Games Society have joined forces to address 

the inequity in the number of male and female coaches in the sport system. Our Coach Mentor/Apprentice 

program pairs up experienced (female or male) coaches with women who are interested in pursuing a 

career in coaching or in developing their training to a higher level. The goal is to increase the number of 

qualified female coaches starting at the club and provincial level and moving toward the national and 

international level in the future. The Program will select up to 10 mentors and pair them with 10 female 

apprentices across the province.

Coaches will be chosen from sports which will be in competition at BC Summer Games in Kelowna in 

2008.

For more information and to download the application package, visit the ProMOTION Plus website at: 

www.promotionplus.org

2007 BC DUATHLON TEAM ANNOUNCED (July 3, 2007)

All BC Team spots were determined at the BC Duathlon Championships, Anthony's Pub Bare Bones Duathlon on May 12, 2007. To view the full BC Team Roster, please click HERE.

BC ATHLETES RECEIVE AWARDS: Presidents Award and True Sports Foundation award BC Triathletes! (April 3, 2007)

BC-based Triathletes David Harrison and Kirsten Sweetland honored with Sport BC's President's Award, and True Sports Foundation Junior Athlete of the Year.

In addition to his many kudos as an athlete, David Harrison is an accomplished coach, race official and past TriBC Board member.

David was a founding member and driving force behind the formation of one of Canada's largest triathlon clubs and continues to serve on its Board of directors.

David's personal commitment to the development of the sport in our province is outstanding, as is his willingness to put in long hours to benefit the Triathlon community. These qualities are matched only by his ability to mentor upcoming triathletes and instill in them the desire to give back to the community themselves.

Kirsten Sweetland was also recognized this week for her outstanding athletic performance in 2006 as she was named Junior Female Athlete of the Year at the 34^th Annual Canadian Sports Awards. The True Sport Foundation celebrated and honored the outstanding achievements of Canada’s best athletes and leaders at an awards ceremony recently on March 23^rd and 24^th at the University of Manitoba’s Investors Group Athletic Centre in Winnipeg.

Kirsten Sweetland was given high praise earlier this week as she was awarded British Columbia’s Junior Female Athlete of the Year, at Sport BC 41^st Annual Athlete of the Year Awards on Wednesday, March 14^th.

Cycles Devinci, a Canadian-based bicycle manufacturer, has entered an agreement that will support Triathlon BC and its 10-event Provincial Race Series through to the end of 2007.

Read the official Press Release HERE.

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has announced the 2007 ITU Aquathlon World Championships will be held in Ixtapa, Mexico on May 12th. Traditionally the Aquathlon World Championships are held in conjunction with the triathlon world championships but because of the tight urban setting and scheduling at the 2007 triathlon championships in Hamburg, organizers are unable to host the event.

 "Because of the full schedule and setting in Hamburg, it was an impossibility to have the Aquathlon Championships with the triathlon this year," stated World Cup and World Championship Director, Sheila O'Kelly. "So, for this year only, we will have the ITU Aquathlon World Championships with the Pan American Championships in May."

The 2007 ITU Aquathlon Championships will be an open event. Any athlete wishing to enter should complete a registration form and forward it to Triathlon Canada by Friday March 28th, 2007. 

For more details on the event please visit the ITU website or or contact the National Office at  info@triathloncanada.com.

WORLD Championship Qualifying Criteria (February 6/07)

National Development Camp, March 19-24, 2007(January 30/07)                                             National Triathlon Centre, Victoria BC

Join the coaches and athletes of the National Triathlon Centre in Victoria for a week of world-class triathlon training in beautiful Victoria!  Click HERE for Camp Details and click HERE for the Registration package..

2006 Triathlon BC Annual General Meeting

Date:      Sunday, October 1st, 2006
Where:   Burnaby Mountain Golf Course, Burnaby (7600 Halifax Street)
Time:     1:00 pm

·         12 noon – Buffet Lunch  (free for TriBC members!)

·         1:00 pm – AGM 

Please support your sport!  It's Board election time!  We are looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals.  We have four (4) Director positions and two (2) Executive positions (President and Secretary) open for election this year.

Contact info@tribc.org or 604-736-3176 if you are interested in running for the Board or would like to be involved on a committee.  Nominations from the floor will be accepted.  The President shall have served at least one year previously on the Board, in any postion. We'd like to encourage people from all over the Province to get involved.

Important Note:  Must be a member 14 days prior to attend. Memberships will be checked at the door so please bring your TriBC photo ID card.

BC Athletes perform in 2006 !

September 3 - Lauren Groves, Vancouver, placed 4th at the Elite World Triathlon Championships, ffinished the grueling 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run course in 2:05:24 – just 11 seconds behind the third place finisher. This result will push Lauren to #3 in the 2006 World Cup Rankings. 

September 2 - Kirsten Sweetland of Victoria won Canada's first-ever gold medal in the Women's Junior World Championships, capping her outstanding season with a 1:05:58 winning time.  

Steve Hardwick, Penticton, won the silver medal in the Age-Group World Championships for the Men's 60-64 Division (2:37:00)

Representing BC at the World Triathlon Championships

Lausanne, Switzerland – Sept 2-3, 2006

Men’s Elite Team

Simon Whitfield

Women’s Elite Team

Lauren Groves

Men’s Junior Team

Andrew McCartney

Women’s Junior Team

Kirsten Sweetland

University Team

Andrew Russell

Elspeth McGregor

National Age Group Team

Caylee Wasilenko, Vancouver        F25-29

Rachel McBride, Vancouver           F25-29

Paige Gardiner, Vancouver             F25-29

Heather Caldwell, Vancouver         F30-34

Stephanie Kieffer, Vancouver         F40-44

Stephen Holmes, West Vancouver  M50-54

Steve Hardwicke, Penticton            M60-64

August 30 - Elspeth McGregor of Vernon won the silver medal at the 2006 ITU Aquathlon World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland.  Elspeth completed the swim/run course in 31 minutes and 23 seconds, less than a minute behind American Sarah McLarty  (30:49).  In a preview of this weekend’s ITU Triathlon World Championships, 200 athletes dawned their wetsuits for a 1,000 metre swim in the green waters of Lake Geneva. This was followed by a two-lap, five kilometre run along the Lausanne boardwalk in front of the Olympic Museum.

August 27 - Victoria's Jasper Blake took advantage of his strength on the run to outlast 2,500 competitors and capture his first ever Ironman victory at the 24th annual Subaru Ironman Canada triathlon Sunday in Penticton.  Jasper finished in 8 hours, 33 minute and 58 seconds -- a comfortable win over runner-up Courtney Ogden of Australia (8:47:46).  Vancouver native, Gordo Byrn, who now resides in Bermuda, finished third with a time of 8:51:23.

August 5 - Following her decisive wins at the BC Summer Games, 14-year-old Christine Ridenour and her family travelled all the way to Bridgeport, CT, so that Christine could race some of the fastest, top-ranked, youth triathletes in the US.  Christine trains with Kelly Guest in Victoria, BC, and has been undefeated for the past 2 years.  The race consisted of a 400m ocean swim, a 12.5km bike and a 2.5 km run. Christine was first to hit the beach after the swim and won the girls youth division by a full minute.

July 30 - The 2006 BC Summer Games were held in Kamloops from 27-30 July 30.  Triathletes aged 14 and 15 from eight zones across the province competed in the various events. Accompanying these young athletes are volunteer coaches and chaperones who give up four days of their time to support, encourage, teach, and learn from these up-and-coming athletes. Volunteer Race Directors Tim Cole and Rhonda Eden did an excellent job of laying out the race course, providing plenty of volunteers and making all the athletes feel very welcome.

Congratulations to all the athletes:

July 30 - Lucy Smith and Kirsten Sweetland were the top Canadians at the World Duathlon Championships in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.  Smith and Sweetland both from Victoria walked away with silver medals – Smith was second in the female elite category while Sweetland was runner-up in the female junior division

July 23 – For the first time since Mazatlan in 2004, Simon Whitfield has once again landed on the World Cup podium.  Whitfield finished second in today’s World Cup race in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. Today’s men’s elite field – the deepest to date in 2006 – included 4 of the top 6 men in the World Cup Rankings, in this, the 9^th World Cup of the season.  Whitfield, just 10 seconds out of first, finished in 1:55:05.

July 10 - The World Cup schedule is at the mid-way point and for Lauren Groves the first half of the season was almost perfect.  Groves is ranked third on the most recent World Cup Rankings released earlier.  Groves, from Vancouver, has competed in 4 World Cup events in 2006 and has finished no worse than 7^th.  Lauren has been a model of consistency so far on the World Cup circuit – she started the year off with a 5^th in Japan, then a 6^th in Mexico, followed by a 4^th in South Africa and finally yesterday in Edmonton she finished 7^th.

July 9 - Kirsten Sweetland continued her dominance in North America winning her second straight Junior National Triathlon Championships today in Edmonton. Sweetland led the race from wire-to-wire and was never threatened en route to her second National Championship this year.  Sweetland has not lost a race in over 10 months dating back to last year’s World Championships. 

July 2 – Simon Whitfield blistered the run course at the 2006 HSBC National Championships and won his 6^th National Title despite trailing by over 2 minutes heading into the final 10km run.  Whitfield stole the spotlight and left the 3,000 spectators at Professor’s Lake in Brampton in awe with his incredible run split of 30:17. Whitfield easily outdistanced Hamilton native, Colin Jenkins, by 25 seconds and finished with a time of 1:51:11.

On the Women’s side, Lauren Groves continued her magical season with her first ever National Championship.  Lauren won the race with another torrid run.  Heading into the third leg of the race Groves was in a virtual tie with Kathy Tremblay, however, Groves quickly pulled away with a run time of 34:32 and won by 55 seconds with an overall time of 2:04:16.

May 21 – Lucy Smith of Victoria won her fifth National Duathlon title, and her 15^th Canadian Title in her 23-year career.  Smith won the race with relative ease defeating Vernon, BC’s, Jessica Solymosi by 25 seconds.  

17-year-old, Kirsten Sweetland won the Women’s Junior Championship.  Sweetland, from Victoria, who is the female recipient of the BC Sport Junior athlete of the year, won the race in a time of 1:02:33, two seconds ahead of Sarah-Anne Brault from Winnipeg.  This was Kirsten’s first ever Duathlon,  which consisted of a 5K run, 20k bike and a 2.5k run. 

On the Men’s side, Graham Cocksedge, from Powell River, BC, won the Men’s Elite overall, with a time of 1:48:52. Cocksedge, who was competing in his first ever full-length Duathlon, qualified last weekend in Penticton, BC, at the Bare Bones Duathlon, which was a shorter course at 5km, 32km and 5km.   Patrick Nesbitt, Powell River, qualified for the National Duathlon Male U23 team.