Tuesday, 10 September 2013

NWTC cheers on the famous five in world championships

North West Triathlon Club is cheering on five club members competing for Ireland in the Triathlon Age Group World Championships in London this week.

Maeve Maher McWilliams from Muff, Aoife Logan from Buncrana, Jarlath Fearon, Roisin Lynch and Joanne Doran, all from Derry, are part of the Triathlon Ireland team,managed by another one of our own, Carndonagh Ironman Patrick McLaughlin.

And of course our own Aileen Reid will be competing for honours in the elite women's race.
Aoife , will compete in the aquathon and sprint, Roisin will compete in the sprint, Maeve Maher-McWilliams, Joanne Doran & Jarlath Fearon will all compete in the standard triathlon.
Jarlath is no stranger to competing internationally, having represented Ireland at the European age group championship in Athlone in 2010 where he finished in the top ten in his age group. 

He said: "I'm looking forward to the buzz of the whole weekend, taking part in my own race and watching the elites in their races. I'm hoping all those from the North West Triathlon Club enjoy the weekend and race to their potential."

Roisin qualified for World Triathlon Championships by finishing second in her age category (5O- 60yrs. ) in the National Triathlon Series last  season.  "This will be my first year to represent Ireland at triathlon and, consequently, will be a life long ambition fulfilled since I have been involved in triathlons longer than I can remember. On three previous occasions I have represented Ireland at British and Irish Masters Cross Country Championships O- 60 Team and now, competing so close to home where family and friends will come to support, will be the icing on the cake. My goal is to complete the race in a respectable time and savour the excitement of such a prestigious event at this renowned Olympic venue. A good story for my little grand-daughter , Aimee."

Maeve set her sights on a world championship place ahead of last season. "My aim last year was to qualify for London and I managed to tick all the boxes, finishing second in my age group at Athlone National Championships standard distance and finishing top 5 in my age group in the TI national series rankings at the end of the season.
"I've been very happy with my season this year, having a number of placings and age group wins. And the big race is still to come. I'm hoping to hold the form I've shown this year at London and will go out next Sunday at 7.30am and give it my all. It's going to be a brilliant experience and it's great to know there'll be some Irish flags and familiar friendly faces cheering us on along the way."

Aoife Logan, had a strong 2012 and goes into the race having enjoyed an equally impressive 2013 season. "I'm really looking forward to the atmosphere. I was in London cheering on Aileen in the Olympics last year it was electric - it'll be fantastic to take part in an event with even a fraction of that atmosphere."

Following a long struggle with injury at the start of the season, Joanne has enjoyed blistering good form recently and can go into the championships with confidence.
 The local triathletes are part of a 300-strong Triathlon Ireland squad which will travel to the London to compete in events covering various distances. Among the TI management team is North West Triathlon’s Club’s Paddy McLaughlin.

The Carndonagh man - who recently competed for Ireland in the European Long Distance Triathlon Championships at Vichy in France - is one of four managers in the Irish squad.
He said: “To have five triathletes in the Irish squad from North West Triathlon Club is an excellent result for the club.
“Maeve, Jarlath, Roisin, Aoife and Joanne have had tremendous results in the Triathlon Ireland National Series and Championship to qualify and I’m sure they’ll do us proud in London. Some of them are taking part in two races at the championships.”
Up to 5,000 of the world’s best amateur triathletes will be competing in and around Hyde Park with 277 athletes in the TI squad.

(PIC: DERRY JOURNAL)

No comments:

Post a Comment