Our stars take on the world
THE Geelong Performance Coaching squad will field 11 members at next month’s ITU World Triathlon Championships, its greatest number of participants to date.
Improving on last year’s tally of eight, the 11 GPC triathletes will travel to Rotterdam for the grand final of the 2017 ITU World Triathlon series on September 14-17.
The GPC squad is the only Australian squad to have brought home at least four world championship medals annually over the past few years.
Coach Stephane Vander Bruggen, who will also be competing at the championships, credits the success of the squad to consistency and professionalism.
He said the coaching staff ensured it instilled confidence and trust in the athletes.
Vander Bruggen (40-44), Kate Bramley (30-34) and Shari Livingston (25-29) will headline the squad as medal contenders.
Over the next three weeks, the squad will endure its final stint of solid training.
It will then head to Europe for its tapering, acclimatising and skill-refining phase.
Vander Bruggen said while his squad would be primed for the championships, there was always an element of luck.
It will face European terrain it is unaccustomed to, with the Rotterdam bike course featuring cobblestones, countless sharp corners, and train lines.
But Vander Bruggen said the athletes were ready for the challenge. “With every big race there’s always a bit of chance but they’re definitely mentally and physically prepared,” he said.
Vander Bruggen said it was “satisfying” to witness the steady growth of the squad. And with the 2018 World Championships to be held at the Gold Coast, he said he could foresee squad participation and accolades increasing.
GPC squad for Rotterdam:
Sprint (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run): Kate Bramley (30-34), Shari Livingston (25-29), Andrew McNally (35-39), Adam Touzell (35-39), Dave Cramp (25-29), Stephane Vander Bruggen (40-44).
Standard (1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run): Ally Duff (20-24), Rod Kilborn (35-39), Sam Kilborn (35-39), Katie Magee (35-39), Levina McNally (35-39).