Top class triathlons ahead

Defence triathletes in the swim at Penrith during a recent ASTA event.

By WO2 Greg Young

Triathletes in the Australian Defence Force are now well in the throws of what will prove to be the best season ever for competing in both military and civilian triathlon competitions in all areas of Australia.

With approximately 800 members, the Australian Services Triathlon Association (ASTA) is responsible for the administration of what could be regarded as the single largest triathlon organisation in Australia.

With the help of sponsors, Tenix (major sponsor), Defcredit, Frontline and Uncle Toby’s, ASTA is continuing to oversee the growth of triathlon at all levels in the ADF. These include the staging of local area competitions, state championships, national championships (short course 500/20/5, Olympic distance 1.5/40/10 and long course 1.9/70/15).

ASTA also supports teams and individuals in the World Masters Games, Noosa Triathlon, Australian Triathlon Championships, all Ironman qualifying races, Australian Ironman, Hawaiian Ironman and various other national events.
Last season ASTA took on the extra responsibility to support members in the Xterra race series, participants in charity bike rides and conducted the first ADF Cycling Championships.

The ADF has wealth of triathlon talent, which has culminated in ten members either qualifying for or selected to represent Australia and the ADF in the upcoming Triathlon, Ironman (Hawaiian) and Xterra World Championships.
On April 6, the ADF Ironman team will again converge on the small town of Forster/Tuncurry to compete in the Australian Ironman in front of a crowd of up to 10,000 at the finish line.

From May 14 to May 25, a team of 18 triathletes and four cyclists who were selected from the ADF Championships will travel to Darwin to once again compete in the Arafura Games and endeavor to eclipse the record number of 29 medals won at the 2001 games.

The selected members will have a grueling schedule where they will compete in an Olympic distance triathlon, a 30km time trial, a criterium, and a 102km road cycle, finishing with a half marathon all in the one week. Some members of the team will also compete in the 5km and 10km athletics events on their spare days.

ASTA is also combining with the athletics and waterpolo associations to enter up to four teams in the triathlon.
ASTA provides much support to all ADF triathletes and is intending to spend approximately $25,000 on the provision of uniforms for members at no cost and with a further $10,000 to support other races in the ASTA season.

For further information on triathlon in the ADF, contact WO2 Greg Young on 02-9600 4266.

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