Report by Caroline Makin
The Jervis Bay Triathlon Festival – Huskisson II has grown from strength to strength since its inception back in 2006. The festival is a fabulous event, organised by Elite Energy, with something for everyone to take part in, and with just over 4000 athletes making this years festival on 17/18/19 February 2012, the most successful yet.
Jill Blomeley and Caroline Makin headed up the coast to Jervis Bay to take part in the Sprint Distance Triathlon (750m Swim / 20km Bike / 5km Run) on the morning of Saturday 17 February.
They were incredibly lucky with the weather as the forecast was for showers, but Huskisson turned on a spectacular day for the 1000 competitors in the Sprint Distance Triathlon.
The Novice triathletes went off first at 7am, and then it was the turn of the Sprint triathletes at 9am. There were approximately a dozen waves in total, with Caz going off in one big wave consisting of all Females 40+ in the swim leg, followed around five minutes later by Jill in the Females 30-39 wave. It’s worth mentioning that the end of the swim leg includes a short run up the beach and then up a staircase of about 25 steps from the beach to the top of the cliff into the transition area before the swim leg time is captured – pretty tough on legs for the not so great runners amongst us!!
Jill had been training hard over the last 12 months for triathlon and had recently completed two Olympic Distance Tris (twice the Sprint Distance in each discipline) and so she took on the Sprint Distance at Jervis Bay with speed and enthusiasm! Her experience and fitness on the bike showed as she passed Caz around the 16km mark on the bike course, even though Caz had gained a significant head start with her very quick swim leg (without wetsuit!) and setting off in the wave in front of Jill.
Jill Blomeley crossed the finish line in a total time of 1:30:01, earning her 43rd place out of 79 competitors in her Female 30-34 age category. Jill’s fast bike leg gained her 12th position in her category – very well done on the bike Jill!
Caroline Makin finished in a total time of 1:39:54 in 44th place out of 63 competitors in her Female 40-44 age category. Caz’s super fast swim leg gained her 4th position in her category – well done on the swim Caz – shame it’s not a bit longer to get a better head start for the rest of the Tri!
Congratulations to both ladies for their efforts in this tough arena amongst some great triathletes!
Full results are available.
