Let’s face it.

An open water triathlon swim can be a bit uncomfortable.

Whether it’s the large crowds of people pushing or elbowing on the beach or in the water for precious space, the physical adrenaline rush of the race start, or simply the fact that swimming is potentially the most “dangerous” part of a triathlon, swimming problems are something every triathlete has to deal with.

• Swim

Leading triathlete, Vitoria-Gasteiz local and course designer Eneko Llanos talks Challenge Vitoria and why it’s a race worth travelling to plus gives his tips for the course.

Q: What makes Challenge Vitoria so special?

The courses, the nature, the city, the warmth of the public. We live in a small city that surprises the visitor, and I'm sure anybody who comes to Challenge Vitoria will be nicely surprised too.

Q: What are your top training tips for the course?

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• Challenge Family

Largest Series Event Ever
 

Last year I competed in the Ironman 70.3 event in Cairns and I vowed to come back and race the Ironman in 2013. My training in San Diego had been the best preparation I had leading into an event in a long time and I was chomping at the bit to get stuck into the race.

I didn't feel great in the swim with the warm water temperature and wetsuit legal swim. It was very uncomfortable for everyone I am sure but I couldn't wait to get through the 3.8km and rip the thing off. I exited the water in 2nd place just under 2 minutes down on Clayton Fettell and just ahead of Chris McCormack.

• Luke McKenzie

• Pros

Over 1000 triathletes travel to Saanich for Classic Race
 

SAN DIEGO, CA – Best-selling triathlon wetsuit brand XTERRA WETSUITS announces its sponsorship of the 2013 AQUAPHOR NEW YORK CITY TRIATHLON (NYCTRI). The 13th annual AQUAPHOR NYC TRIATHLON, which takes place on July 14, is an Olympic distance race that welcomes thousands of athletes to take on the Big Apple. Due to its great popularity, the race holds an entry lottery for triathletes hoping to compete.

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• Xterra Wetsuits

SAN DIEGO, CA – Just in time for the hottest competition of the 2013 triathlon season, best-selling triathlon wetsuit brand XTERRA WETSUITS has announced an agreement to join the roster of sponsors for the HITS TRIATHLON SERIES. The agreement, which covers the remainder of the 2013 race schedule, includes four race weekends – two in New York and one each in Arizona and California – and two Tri-Camps.

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• Xterra Wetsuits

You may notice that I have not written race reports all that often or consistently. The reason for this is … I HATE excuses. Anything that happens on the race course is racing. It seems that many reports I read have excuses thrown in with, shoulda, coulda, woulda. I have been bad on race reports in the past because I don’t want to be seen as one that makes excuses. I am a professional and I should be prepared for whatever is thrown my way, and adapt under every circumstance.

• Boise 70.3
• Race Reports

• Pros

Tiny Baby Completes First Race
A couple pieces I came across today that some of you may find of interest. Jesse Thomas and his wife gave birth to their first son, Jude. Congrats to them, sounds like it was a long race to the finish. As always Jesse infuses his style into the event with this press release on his site. 

Unlike his father Jesse Thomas, Jude is an exceptional swimmer.

• Jesse Thomas
• James Walsh

2013 Rebound Endurance Project Triathlon Training Camp to be held Aug. 25 - 30
 
June 11, 2013 – BEND, Ore. – The 2013 Rebound Endurance Project Triathlon Training Camp will take place Sunday, August 25 – Friday, August 30, 2013 in the high Cascades of beautiful Bend, Ore.
 

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• Bend

June 9, 2013 (Richmond, VA) - Dan Hugo and Lesley Paterson won the XTERRA East Championship pro race on a beautiful day at James River Park in Richmond, Virginia this morning.

28 Years of Innovation Concentrated into Ultra-light & Sleek Shades
 
Denver, CO – From the company known for its cutting edge and ‘technically cool’ products, comes the newest addition to their award winning sunglass line – the Firebolt. Weighting in at an astonishing 27 grams (under an ounce), these ultra-light and stylish sunglasses offer the perfect balance of ergonomics and optical performance in an affordable package.
 

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• Rudy Project

Olympians and Ironman Champions confirmed to race “Subaru Chase” on TSN
 
Saskatoon, SK – June 5, 2013 – The sport of triathlon has arrived in full force in the bustling province of Saskatchewan.  Series officials announced today that some of the best triathletes on the planet will make their way to Saskatoon this summer for the inaugural Subaru Saskatoon Triathlon.  Also part of this exciting announcement is that TSN, Canada’s Sport Leader, has been confirmed to broadcast the event nationally in a 60 minute post produced program.
 

There as been a lot of debate about the appropriate cycling cadence for triathletes. In general, we recommend riding at a cadence between 80-90 RPM at a minimum, preferably over 90 RPM. A great piece of advice we give to our athletes is to increase their cadence up to 95+ RPM for the last 10-20’ without significantly increasing the tension (on the chain) or effort level being put forth by the athlete.

• Cadence

• Bike
• Triathlon Training