The Hoxley Cup is awarded for Triathlon Achievement as voted for by the members, so check the list below and email your vote to triathlon@westsuffolkwheelers.org
The Triathlon committee have made FOUR nominations that highlight some of the amazing achievements that have been posted by our members in the name of club and country, both at home and on international duties.
The nominations (in alphabetical order) are:
- Alison Blackwell
- Nicki Broad
- Angela Joiner-Handy
- Pip Moore
The Athletes have provided a synopsis of their seasons below.
The vote is open to
all members of the West Suffolk Wheelers and all votes by email to
triathlon@westsuffolkwheelers.org before the
deadline
midnight 31st December 2019.
Alison Blackwell
I was very flattered to have been nominated.
The was my biggest season. Both in terms of the number of events and the level of competition that I managed to reach.
In total I took part in 10 events.
5 Sprint Triathlons and 5 Sprint Duathlons
5 events were GB Age Group Qualifiers.
The highlight of my year and Triathlon career, was undoubtedly the opportunity to compete in the European Sprint Duathlon Championship in Romania. This was my first Team GB age group race and I was pleased to finish 6th in my age group.
In the lead up to Romania I took part in a few local races winning my Age group in both the spring and summer Culford Triathlons, with an overall placing of 6th and 5th respectively.
I finished 2nd in my age group at the East Coast Triathlon, and 9th overall at the Diss Duathlon, 5th in my age group
I also took part in the Great East swim where I finished 3rd I my Age Group in the 2 mile race.
The British Sprint Triathlon Championship was my last Triathlon of the season where I finished 15th in my age group and within the qualifying percentage for the European Triathlon Championship next year, so hoping for a roll down place.
I finished my season off Darley Moor and Bedford Duathlons, where I successfully qualified for both the European and World Sprint Duathlon Championships for 2020.
I have throughly enjoyed this year and am really excited about the opportunities that next season brings.
Nicki Broad
My triathlon season started with a bit of a set back after breaking one of my toes in my first race of the season, this was after I caught my foot on the exit ramp out of the swim into T1 at Eton Dorney, knowing the following week I was racing at Barry Island I strapped it and hoped for the best! The sea swim and run where incredibly challenging as the weather conditions were poor – you can always guarantee a bit of rain in Wales! The races didn’t quite go to plan however I decided to use them as part of my preparation for the race of my season.
I had qualified as a GB age grouper for the European Sprint Distance Triathlon held in Kazan, Russia. It was my first race as an age grouper and I was incredibly excited about it. I was joined by fellow Wheeler Malcom and I have to say the experience of the event was amazing. The race went really well, I swam my first skin swim in the river Kazan which was an interesting green colour! The bike was amazing being draft legal and racing in packs and the run was a nice fast and flat route by the river. I came home in 6th place for my age group and I was really pleased with my result. 6th in Europe for my first age group race was an amazing achievement for me considering my bad start to the season.
My racing season continued and I came back to race the local Culford Triathlon finishing 3rd female. Towards the end of the season I felt I had more to achieve as I had a slow start to the season. I entered the standard distance aqua bike at St Neots and finished 2nd female, also completing the gruelling Hertfordshire sportive.
My combined results has earned me qualification as GB age group for the European Championships middle distance Aqua Bike in Austria for next year.
I am awaiting to see if I have also qualified for the World Championships in Amsterdam which I should find out in January.
Angela Joiner-Handy
1st veteran in the Suffolk Cross Country Champs
World Duathlon Champs in Spain – after the first 10km 2 of us were 3 minutes clear of the next lady in my age group, 1 mile into the bike I got a puncture that I could not fix 🙁
European Powerman Champs – hurt my back a couple of days before the race but managed bronze again, but was only 3 minutes behind the winner over 10km, 60km, 10km
European Sprint Duathlon Champs – sprint finish for gold and silver, photo finish and the exact same time, I came away with silver
Pip Moore
Previous season was a none event for me after so many injuries but, whilst not back to full fitness, I was more optimistic about 2019. My season opener was ETU qualifier at Eton Dorney. A good swim and bike left me in a reasonable position and I was able to make the top 10 and qualify for GB in Malmo.
My next event was closer to home at the Sudbury Tri which I should have won overall if I’d been able to count. Unfortunately, I swam 2 lengths too many and ended up in second place by less than 30 seconds.
Next came ‘Storm the Lakes.’ – a swim and swim/run festival and I was there to defend my 3km swim title from 2018. Again, second place but in a time 3 min quicker than previous.
National Sprint Championships at box end was a late decision for me as Helen had to pull out and I managed to take her place. After a battering in the swim and very quick bike course, the run was punishing but I was pleased with an overall 9th in age group.
Ely Triathlon was another event I’d not done before and entered at the last minute. Another very quick bike course, hot conditions and no mistakes this time allowed me the overall win.
My last event of the season was the National Aquathlon championships in Arundel. A beautiful morning and idyllic setting saw some fantastic racing. After an average swim, I was able to make up a few places on the run to finish 7th in age group.
Above all, however, I was very proud to coach my junior under 10 triathletes who, between them, took 20 podium places this season.
The vote is open to all members of the West Suffolk Wheelers.
All votes by email before the deadline midnight 31st December 2019.