Steyning Athletic Club members search for gold in Turkey! Six Members of steyning athletic club qualified for the European triathlon championships in Alanya Turkey this year all searching for Gold. They travelled there in three groups. The Brook/Killick party arrived first at 01:00 and the driver had to ask twice to find the apartment. This had a jacuzzi (which no-one used - too slow to fill), a sauna and a colour TV which we never used because there were only 2 Dutch channels. Apart from all that It was nice and roomy apt with 2 patios. Acclimatisation began by walking up to the old Citadel at 250m, which is on the rocky peninsula surrounded by a turreted wall. Below, going in and out of the port were several 1600’s style multi-masted boats with furled sails, loaded with tourists. That evening remembering the importance of diet they had Tzatziki Dip with a huge piece of flatbread followed by a stew served up in a hot earthenware pot sealed with pastry and a flame round the base for extra effect. The next day they went for a run around the run course and part of the bike course. Then to the Team Hotel to find Lydia Jordan and Dave on the beach. After a social swim they rode round the cycle lap. The surface was either “jigsaw” blocks or bumpy tarmac, no smooth ride here! More relaxation, an enlarged Steyning group travelled to the Dim Valley to climb up to the dam wall and down to the nearby fish farm/restaurant. A planned swim turned into a short dip as they suddenly realised that the water was off snow capped mountains and less than 10°C. Reappraising the situation, they adjourned to a low table in a semi enclosed ‘cabins’ where you sit on cushions and we had trout. Continuing preparations they did 2 laps of the run course and reccied the swim course. Later we went to the Team Hotel for free drinks and GB team social. On the 13th June, Joan and Jon registered for the Standard Distance and racked their bikes before joining the others for the Pasta party in the evening. Eventually the final two Steyning Athletes Elaine and George arrived after being delayed 5 hours at Gatwick due to another French strike. Not only that, Elaine had an upset stomach and wasn’t eating much. We didn’t stay long. Saturday morning started with the Standard Distance Tri. for Joan and John. Cheered on by the rest of the team through the brick roads in the town, they both performed well, both finishing 4th in their respective age groups and both qualifying for the next Euros in Kitzbuel. The women’s Elite race was in the afternoon, were England’s Vicky Holland came 2nd. On Sunday morning the Sprint Distance races took place with Carol, Juliet, Lydia, George and Elaine competing. Juliet punctured after 200 yards of the bike race, Juliet had a puncture and with amazing bike control and determination she managed to complete the rest of the course on a flat tyre. This cost her quite a few places. Lydia did a good performance for her first Euros. The results were as follows. Age Group places: Juliet, 19th, Lydia 8th, George 3rd, Elaine 3rd and Carol 1st. Yes Carol did find gold in Turkey! More details at steyningac.co.uk
Posted on: Sun, 04 Aug 2013 21:16:17 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015