World 70.3 Champs Race Report

The goal for the 2011 season was to get on that start line for the World 70.3 Championships. After six months of jammed packed racing across Australia and the US, I achieved that goal and have just completed my first World Champs race as a pro triathlete. I had no expectations going into this race. Considering I was the youngest in the pro field and hadn't raced a single 70.3 this time last year, I was just stoked to have the opportunity to race against some of the best athletes in the world, and I was looking at gaining as much experience as possible.

We arrived in Vegas on the Friday before the race. Saturday was spent registering, bike racking and general race prep. After a feast of Dads cooking on Saturday night it was time to hit the sack and dream sweet dreams of what Sunday would bring.

Race day kicked off with a 4am wake-up. As we drove down to race site, a few drops of rain began to fall. However, that would be all the rain that we'd see for the day, which saw the temps creep up into the high 30's. After setting up transition and checking my bike about 50 times over, it was time to head down to the start of the 1.9km swim. At 6.30am the cannon sounded for the pro men, and 2 minutes later 28 of us girls were sent on our way.



The swim was a fairly simple out and back in Lake Las Vegas. It was great for spectators since we got to swim under the main pedestrian bridge. I had on of my best swims to date. I managed to find some feet to sit on and felt in control for the most part of it, exiting the water in about 11th place. After an epic 500m run into transition, I found my bike and was on my way, ready to tackle one of the toughest bike courses going around.

80km of the 90km bike course is either up or down...no flat. I felt great for the first 50-60km. I was attacking the downhills and hitting the uphills hard. I was holding my position and feeling strong. However at about 60km I started to really feel it. The light-headiness started to kick in and I felt like I was going backward. I had just learnt one of the biggest lessons of the day...pacing and nutrition. I had probably gone out a little to hard for such a tough course and hadn't got enough gels in early on. As such, I paid for it for the next 2 hours for the race. However the final 10km of the ride is pretty awesome with speccy views of the Vegas Strip, so that took the mind off the hurt for a bit! I ended up getting off the bike in about 19th place.



The 21.2km run continued on with the theme of the day of hills. 2 mile up hill, 2 mile down hill. It was great to see Mum, Dad and Sam on the side lines cheering me on, and it gave me that little bit of extra energy to get to that finish line. It was tough, but still fun! It was also awesome to see fellow Aussie Mel Rollison smashing the course and running herself into 1st place. Thoroughly deserved!!

After a long, tough, fun day I crossed the line in 17th place pro female. I was so happy to finish and get a top 20 placing in my first year as a 70.3 athlete. I have learnt so many valuable lessons this season...the biggest being that I have to be patient. I'm the youngest out there by far. As long as I stay focused and injury free and keep improving, my time will come. One day I will win that race!

The hugest thank you to Mum, Dad and Sam for providing the greatest support. Not just on race day, but all the time. To my coach Josh...we've come a long way in a few years. To everyone back home (including Laura!), the messages of support means the world. And to my sponsors Malvern Star, Peak Bike Hub, Brooks, Giro and Selle SMP for believing in me. It has been a great ride so far, with plenty more to come!