Race day

Race day
Originally uploaded by garyrichardjones.

Well a hugely emotional day, with highs and lows but one we will all remember forever.

Tim was absolutely fantastic, his grit and determination to was not bettered by anyone in the field. Bearing in mind he did not get the all clear to race until Wednesday, the performance he put in was just incredible. Tim would like to say a big thanks to Marcel in particular, because despite the arm injury he was still able to put in a 22 min swim.

Scott had a good race, very solid on the swim, being only 90 secs down on the lead group and led the Channel Island contingent out of the swim. He worked hard on the bike in a group of four, but by the time he got out on the run, there was not much left in the tank. This wasn't surprising as Scott had been laid low by a virus over the last couple of weeks, which had impacted upon his final preparations.

Paul's race didnt go as well as he had hoped. Dropped water bottles contributed to cramping at the end of the bike and during run. However, the major factor was a period of lost training due to a hamstring tear before Christmas, which led to Paul only running 10 times since Christmas, which showed in the run leg. Paul had also been laid low by a virus out on the Gold Coast, which meant he missed the Hobart triathlon.

As for me, well it was fantastic honour and privilege to be out here with the guys. They've been a credit to themselves and the Jersey Triathlon Club and have been fantastic ambassadors for both the Island and the sport of triathlon. We've learnt loads of lessons which we will need to apply quickly if we are going to maintain our record in the NatWest Island Games, and we'll be doing a full debrief when we get back.

Finally, let's end by congratulating Guernsey's Sam Herrdige and Ian Le Pelley for two outstanding performances. Sam came out of the water with the elite group, and smashed 3 mins off her personal best. Ian, in effect won the non-elite race, with 18th being the best he could possibly have hoped for.

Rogers fit to race

Rogers fit to race
Originally uploaded by garyrichardjones.

Tim Rogers has been declared fit to race in Saturday's Commonwealth Games Triathlon. Rogers who has overcome a broken arm will be joined by Paul Clements and Scott Pitcher, and will take part in the second biggest triathlon in the history of the sport, with over a 100,000 spectators expected to be out on the course.

Gary Jones, Jersey Triathlon Team Manager, said "I am delighted with the way the team has prepared, everyone has worked hard and we are ready to go. One thing is for certain, no one will beat Tim for determination, and Scott and Paul are inspired by his never say die attitude.'

Rogers cleared by race referree

Tim Rogers looks set to compete in Saturday's Commonwealth Games triathlon.

Rogers, who broke an arm just 4 weeks ago, looks set to compete in this Saturday's Commonwealth Games triathlon subject to a last minute fitness test. Rogers has been provisionally cleared to race by both the Commonwealth Games medical team and CWG triathlon race referee. Rogers has made a speedy recovery from his injury, and was taken out of his cast on Tuesday. Preparations were being made for Rogers to race in a lightweight cast, however this was deemed not necessary by a leading Australian sports medicine expert. Rogers then met with the race referee, Terry Sheldrake of New Zealand, to discuss what support could be used if necessary.

Gary Jones, Jersey Triathlon Team Manager, said "Everyone is delighted with the outcome. Tim has worked incredibly hard over the last four weeks to remain positive and has been an inspiration to us all. Special tribute must be given to the Games medical team, both from Jersey and Melbourne, who have worked tirelessly to support Tim in pursuing his dream to race in the Commonwealth Games.

The Commonwealth Games Men's Triathlon commence this Saturday 18 March, at 2am GMT

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Triathon Preparations

Jersey's Commonwealth Games triathletes preparations back on track.

Jersey's Commonwealth Games triathletes Paul Clements, Scott Pitcher
and Tim Rogers have settled into the Commonwealth Games Village and
are fine-tuning the last part of their preparations for next
Saturday's race.

The triathletes have taken the opportunity to preview the St Kilda
course, which will involve a 1500 metre pier side swim, 5 x eight km
loops for the bike course, and 2 x 5 km loops on the run. The swim is
relatively sheltered, although each day it becomes slighty rougher as
the day progresses. The bike leg involves some long straight
streteches, although there are a number of technical turns, which
increase its challenge. The run is predominately flat and is along
the St Kilda Esplanade. Overall, the course appears to be extremely
fast, and if weather permits will provide the opportunities for a fast
race. A number of other teams have been seen previewing the course
including Guernsey, Ghana, Solomon Islands and Wales.

Gary Jones, Jersey Triathlon Team Manager, said: 'I am delighted with
the way our final preparations have come together over the last week.
Training has gone extremely well, with Scott and Paul looking
extremely strong and fit. We are still waiting to hear whether Tim
will be able to compete. There is no doubt he has shown total
commitment in his fight to overcome injury, has continued to be
focussed in his training, and will be ready abe to to race come March
18

--
Gary Jones

Triathletes in dress rehearsal wash-out

Extreme weather caused the cancellation of Sunday's Gold Coast Triathlon - Luke Harrop Memorial in Southport, Queensland. Australia

The Jersey Triathlon Commonwealth Games Triathlon Team of Paul Clements and Scott Pitcher were due to participate as part of their final preparations for the Commonwealth Games Triathlon, scheduled for March 18. Clements and Pitcher would have been up against their fiercest competion yet, as the field included Hamish Carter. the 2004 Olympic triathlon and a number of other top Commonwealth competitors. Heavy winds and rain, made the course unsafe and the race organisers made the decision to postpone the race in the interests of the safety of the competitors.

Gary Jones, Jersey Triathlon Team Manager, said "It was a disappointment not to compete, however given the weather conditions, the benefits from competing would have been marginal, with a high risk of injury with less than 2 weeks to go our main race objective.

The Jersey Triathon Team's preparations for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games are supported by The Royal Bank of Scotland International.

For more information contact

jones.gary@gmail.com

Tim and Gary's awfully big adventure

Tim and Gary's awfully big adventures
Originally uploaded by garyrichardjones.

Well we are finally on the road, or rather we are hanging round the departure lounge at Gatwick North. We've got three pretty long flights ahead, but hey whose complaining. The weather in Southport, Queensland is pretty grim at the moment, so hopefully it will brighten up before we get there. It will be good to meet up with Scott and Paul when we get there. We are currently waiting to meet the Guernsey triathletes, who should be on the same flight as us. Anyway, 6hrs gone, another 24 hrs to go.

Gary

Triathletes prepare for Melbourne

Jersey Triathletes to compete in Luke Harrop Memorial Triathon, Queensland Australia

Sunday 5 March sees Paul Clements and Scott Pitcher compete in the Luke Harrop Memorial Triathlon in Queensland Australia.  This will be the Jersey triathletes's last chance to gain competition experience before the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Triathlon on 18 March.  The Luke Harrop Memorial Triathlon will see triathletes from all over the Commonwealth compete in a sprint triathlon of a 750m swim, 20 km bike and 5 km run, and is the ideal final preparatory race.

Clements and Pitcher will be joined in Southport, Queensland by team manager Gary Jones and fellow triathlete Tim Rogers  who will be leaving Jersey for Australia on Wednesday 1 March.  Jones said ' The hard work has been done, and it is now a case of doing the  preparations so that all the Jersy triathletes are sharp and focussed for race on Saturday 18 March'.

The Jersey Triathlon Team's preparations for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games have been supported by The Royal Bank of Scotland International, and David Isley  Head of International Private Banking said  "'We wish the team all the best and will be following their progress in Melbourne with interest.'

For more information contact

Gary Jones
email jones.gary@gmail.com
http://jerseytrimelbourne.blogspot.com
http://web.mac.com/garyrichardjones/iWeb/JerseyTriMelbourne/Welcome.html


--
Gary Jones