British Triathlon Super Series 2013 kicks off at Blenheim
7th June 2013This weekend’s Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon at Woodstock’s World Heritage site signals the first of four races in the 2013 British Triathlon Super Series.
The Super Series combines four of the UK’s most prestigious triathlons to provide a showcase for the sport and create a world class environment for domestic and international athletes to race within, competing for the title of Super Series Champion.
Following the Blenheim Palace event the series will incorporate the Toshiba Windsor Triathlon (16th June), British Triathlon Championships Liverpool (13th July) and the Virgin Active London Triathlon (28th July), where the Series champions will be confirmed.
Last year’s race at Blenheim was dominated by the Brownlee brothers, Alistair and Jonathan, who crossed the line together but 2013 promises to be a much more open race with several athletes believing they take the top spot on the podium.
Currently ranked No.8 in the world in the ITU World Triathlon Series rankings, Scotland’s David McNamee may start as race favourite, but with three-time British Elite Duathlon Champion Mark Buckingham (third at Blenheim last year), plus first year senior Richard Horton (British, European and World Junior Duathlon Champion in 2012) among the talent on the start list, a Blenheim victory won’t be an easy one.
In the absence of defending champion and three-time winner Jodie Stimpson, 2011 champion and London-based South African Olympian Gillian Sanders will have her eyes on a second Blenheim Palace Triathlon title in the ladies race. “I’m really looking forward to racing it again, a classic UK event” she commented.
Second last year, and still racing in the Junior category is Sophie Coldwell who returns, while a first time name to look out for is former international runner, turned elite triathlete, Emma Pallant. Also opening her 2013 season, and twice a Blenheim podium finisher is London 2012 Olympian Vicky Holland.
The Blenheim Palace Triathlon also forms part of the 2013 British Triathlon Youth and Junior Super Series, where the Youth athletes will race over a Super Sprint course and the Junior age group will race alongside the senior Elite over the Sprint distance. Already crowned British Youth Duathlon Champions earlier in the season, both Lewis Byram and Bronwyn Owen line up once again.
The Elite/Junior races at Blenheim take place on Sunday 9th July at 9 a.m. (ladies) and 9.30 a.m. (men), following the Youth Super Sprint at 8:30 a.m. (male) and 8.32 a.m. (female)