A
33-year-old RAN officer now on exchange to the Royal Navy has
competed in the International Triathlon Union World Long Course
Triathlon Championships in Sater, Sweden.
He’s done very well with a “first”, fourth” and 23rd in respective
categories. Proudly wearing the “green and gold” and representing
Australia, was LCDR Doug Griffiths, a 33-year-old Brisbane native.
Doug is serving as the executive officer of HMS Sandown, a 450
tonne MHC. His participation in the Swedish event was as a member
of the Australian National Age Group Triathlon Team ASTA).
The event begins with a 4,000 metre swim, a 120 km ride and
a 30 km run.
With the support of MCDFEG and the ASTA, Doug went to Sater
from Canada where Sandown was deployed. He lined up with the
rest of the Australian team for the first time.
Though his preparation for the event was not ideal, with many
hours spent riding along on Sandown’s upper deck and on a turbo
trainer, the results on the day came together.
He completed the event that had everything from a long cold
swim in a picturesque lake, wind and hail on a rolling ride
through the countryside and a long hot hilly run, in an overall
time of 7 hours 9.50 minutes.
A strong cycle leg after a solid swim set him up for good results.
He took 23rd place overall in the 30 to 34 year male age group.
He was the first Australian in his age group and the fourth
Australian overall.
Three weeks after competing in the World Long Course event,
Doug competed in “Ironman Switzerland” He was the second placed
Australian overall and the 160th out of 1300 starters.
He completed the event in 10 hours, 16 minutes and 12 seconds.
