Ffit Conwy Llandudno Sea Triathlon 2016: review

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    • Ffit Conwy Llandudno Sea Triathlon

    Impressive performances and age-group battles in Llandudno

    The Ffit Conwy Llandudno Sea Triathlon sees a strong field of elite athletes and age-groupers on the start line each year, and this year’s event was no different.

    The 8th Ffit Conwy Llandudno Sea Triathlon, organised by Xtra Mile Events, took place in the Welsh seaside resort on Sunday 19th June 2016 and the sprint race provided the final qualification race for Great Britain age-group athletes to secure automatic qualification for the ITU Triathlon World Championships in Cozumel.

    The Ffit Conwy Llandudno Sea Triathlon is set amongst spectacular scenery and offers both a standard and sprint triathlon option. It is a key event in the triathlon calendar, combining the thrill of a sea swim with a challenging cycle section on closed roads around the Great Orme with a tough climb, fast descent and magnificent views of the coastline. The run route takes triathletes out along the Victorian Promenade and over the Little Orme to Penrhyn Bay, before turning back to finish on the promenade.

    Ffit Conwy Llandudno Sea TriathlonIn the standard race Arthur Connell (Evolution Bikes) and Ian Shackcloth were battling it out for the win but Connell took the lead on the run leg and won the title in 02:13:33, with Shackcloth finishing in 02:14:56. James Muscart of Mersey Tri Club claimed third place in 02:17:47

    In the women’s field Fieke Reijntjes of Raceforce clocked the fastest swim time but was chased down on the bike by Anne Ffit Conwy Llandudno Sea TriathlonJohnson of Calderdale Tri Club and Jenny Holden. Johnson put in a fast run and claimed the title in a time of 02:47:03, ahead of Holden who finished in 02:49:10 and Reijntjes in 02:49:29.

    The draft-legal sprint race saw some fantastic performances from the age-groupers. Benjamin Baugh (Linc Squad) won the sprint race in a time of 01:02:49 after taking the lead on the bike leg and the nineteen year old beat Grant Bateman (Hillingdon Triathletes) into 2nd place by nearly a minute. James Hodgson was awarded 3rd place after sprinting to the finish line and clocking 1:06:05.

    Jacqui Phillips (TRIKS) secured the top spot on the podium in the women’s field after crossing the finish line in 1:12:37. Blythe Fourie (Racepace), racing in the 15-19 age category, put in an impressive performance and her fast run time secured her 2nd place with a finish time of 1:13:19. Ashia Fenwick (University of Bath) came third in 1:14:02.

    Results (provisional):

    Ffit Conwy Llandudno Sea Triathlon 2016, North Wales
    Standard Distance: 1500m swim, 36 km cycle, 10 km run

    MEN

    1) Arthur Connell (Evolution Bikes), 02:13:33

    2) Ian Shackcloth, 02:14:56

    3) James Muscart (Mersey Tri Club), 02:17:47

    WOMEN

    1) Anne Johnson (Calderdale Tri Club), 02:47:03

    2) Jenny Holden, 02:49:10

    3) Fieke Reijntjes (Raceforce), 02:49:29

     

    Ffit Conwy Llandudno Sea Triathlon 2016, North Wales (ITU Qualifier 2016)
    Sprint Distance (Draft-legal): 750m swim, 19 km cycle, 5 km run

    MEN

    1) Benjamin Baugh (Linc Squad), 1:02:49

    2) Grant Bateman (Hillingdon Triathletes), 1:03:43

    3) James Hodgson, 1:06:05

    WOMEN

    1) Jacqui Phillips (TRIKS), 1:12:37

    2) Blythe Fourie (Racepace), 1:13:19

    3) Ashia Fenwick (University of Bath), 1:14:02

    The full results and split times can be found on http://www.xtramileevents.com/results/2016-results/

    Race Director Simon Hill commented: “I would like to express a big thank you to everyone who has supported us in delivering another excellent event including all the volunteers, our sponsors, the spectators who showed their support, and of course the athletes. Congratulations to everyone who took part, we saw some fantastic performances in Llandudno this year.

    “The Ffit Conwy Llandudno Sea Triathlon takes place at one of the country’s most beautiful triathlon venues and is set amongst spectacular scenery from the start on the beach to the stunning views around the Great Orme. This is a high profile sporting event that has firmly put Llandudno on the map in the triathlon calendar and we are already looking forward to 2017.”

    Sponsors of the Ffit Conwy Llandudno Sea Triathlon 2016 included Zone 3, Race Force, Clif Bar, TrueStart Coffee and ERDINGER Alkoholfrei.

    The next event on the Xtra Mile Events calendar is the Peak District Triathlon at Chatsworth on 3rd July.

    Go to www.xtramileevents.com for further details about Xtra Mile Events and to secure your place, like the Facebook page www.facebook.com/TriathlonUK and follow Xtra Mile Events on Twitter @GreatTriathlons and Instagram xtra_mile_events .

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