Tag Archives: Abu Dhabi Triathlon
Interview with Aya Stevens – 1st AG at Abu Dhabi Triathlon
Another big result that jumped out from the Abu Dhabi Triathlon was that of Aya Stevens – who was the first female age-grouper overall and completed the course in a time of 8:28:55.
The Thames Turbo Powerbar Race Team member was a ‘hyperactive child who was reasonably good at everything but not the best of anything’ may have found her sport in the form of endurance triathlon. This Abu Dhabi result is the latest impressive performance building on top of results such as Ironman Korea 2011 (6th overall and age group win) and at Ironman Wales 2012 (9th overall and age group win).
I caught up with Aya to find out a bit more about her and the race.
Interview with Nick Baldwin “I’m ready for the challenge”
Nick Baldwin turning PRO at 24
Nick Baldwin signed off on the amateur chapter of his career in some style at Abu Dhabi, by coming 11th overall in the long course desert race. This capped off a brilliant 12 months for the youngster who also laid claimo thheronman 70.3 World Title (M18-24), silver at the Ironman World Championships and the highly acclaimed ‘Triathlete of the Year’ as voted for by readers of Beyond Going Long.
Nick now plans to turn PRO and will be making his debut at Ironman South Africa against what is likely to be a very competitive field. I caught up with Nick to talk about his last performance as an amateur and what he is looking forward to as a PRO.
Abu Dhabi Triathlon 2013 Results
Van Lierde and Hauschildt secure the win
As I write this, the results from the 2013 edition of the Abu Dhabi Triathlon are still trickling in, but what is clear is that pre-race favourite Frederik Van Lierde has produced a stunning win under the desert sun to take the big one out in Abu Dhabi. News just in is that Melissa Hauschildt has held off the threat from Caroline Steffen to take the win in the ladies race.
Check out the results here and find out how the British PROs fared out on the course.
Alistair Brownlee confirms he will ‘race long’
Olympic champion to target Ironman in 2017
Reigning Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee has confirmed that he will definitely turn to iron-distance racing but has indicated that fans of the sport will have to wait until at least 2017 before he ‘goes long’.
The Olympic champ will first defend his title in Rio 2016 and also spoke of winning back his ITU world title from brother Johnny.
Dan Halksworth to open season at Abu Dhabi Triathlon
PRO Dan Halksworth will be opening his 2013 season at the uber-competitive Abu Dhabi Triathlon race on the 3rd of March. Halksworth, who made quite an impact on his debut year of long-distance tri by winning Ironman UK, will be looking to build on his excellent previous best of 11th.
Abu Dhabi attracts one of the best pro fields in the world, with pros attracted by a huge prize pot and iconic course and race distance. Appealing to the strong bikers, Abu Dhabi is raced over 3km swim, 200km bike and 20km run, with the winners expecting to pick up $50,000.
Dan Halksworth is one of the best promising talents amongst the Team TBB stable, but is yet to reveal his A goal for the season. He may choose to chase big WTC points in a bid to get a Kona experience under his belt, or have another year of racing at selected races in order to build himself further as an athlete.
Interview with top Irish Age-Grouper Liam Dolan
Gunning for Abu Dhabi Triathlon and an iron-distance race near you!
Ireland is a hotbed of top Irish long course talent at the moment, perhaps spearheaded by Eimear Mullan and Bryan McCrystal in the pro game. Competing in the amateurs, is one of the best in the world, Liam Dolan and over the last 5 years of racing long he has proved time and time again he is difficult to beat.
Competing internationally in the 30-34 category, Dolan has notched up British Middle Distance Silver (2012), 1st 30-34 at Abu Dhabi (2012), 10th at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships (2011) and 33rd in his competitive age-group at the Ironman World Championships (2011) – all whilst balancing life as a part-time athlete and full-time owner of his own business. I caught up with Liam to find out more and about his race plans in 2013.
Joe Skipper signs up to race Abu Dhabi
Manchester-based pro, Joe Skipper, will kick off his long course season racing at the iconic Abu Dhabi triathlon on 2nd March 2013.
Skipper, who had been focussing on middle distances in 2012, surprised himself by taking on Challenge Barcelona at the last minute and posting the 2nd fastest UK debut time in history and the 11th fastest British time ever. His sub 8:30 was good enough for 5th and has marked him out as ‘one to watch’ in 2013.
