220 Triathlon July 2024

Hands up who wants to be more aerodynamic? Hopefully, everyone reading this and for one simple reason: being more aero means being faster and being faster means a quicker and easier race day. A common misconception can be that you need to spend a fortune and master all kinds of contorted cycling set-ups. Luckily, this isn't the case as we explore in this issue – while top-end kit will undoubtedly increase your speed, some simple tips can also help you out, such as choosing closer-fitting kit, opting for an aero road helmet and clipping tri-bars to your trusty road bike. Meanwhile, the master of racing on a budget, Joe Skipper, shares the highs and lows of being self-coached to multiple pro wins in his typically honest, refreshing way. Hope you…

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START EMMANUEL DUNAND/GETTY IMAGES One of the reasons World Triathlon eventually prevailed in its hard-won inclusion of the mixed team relay in the Olympic Games was because of the commitment not to increase the total number of triathletes in attendance. Worried about spiralling costs dissuading potential hosts from bidding, the International Olympic Committee capped the overall number of athletes at a Games to 10,500 in 2014. If individual sports like tri wanted to expand their medal pools, the same men and women would be required to double up. This summer, just as in Tokyo three years ago, triathletes heading for Paris aren't eligible for the two-man, two-woman team event unless they're entered into the individual race too. But it's time to scrap that premise. Not because more triathletes should be…

My passion for endurance and adventures stems from a journey of mental health transformation. Via time in nature and endurance adventures, I've discovered the healing power of the outdoors. It helps to maintain my well-being and prevent a panic disorder, which I've dealt with in the past. I completed an iron-distance triathlon wearing a 15kg weighted vest on World Suicide Prevention Day in Exmoor National Park in north Devon. I finished in 29 hours, with swimming 2.4 miles wearing the vest being the biggest challenge. The weight only became heavier as I got weaker. I wore the vest to represent the weight carried by those struggling with mental health issues. With each stroke, pedal and step, I carried the collective burden of individuals battling anxiety, depression and thoughts of despair.…

STAR LETTER Got an opinion to share? Then email us at fao220@220triathlon.com FIT AT 50 I took part in my first sprint triathlon last year at the age of 53 at the St Annes Triathlon with two work colleagues, with our sole intention of losing a few pounds and getting ourselves into shape. I've never been much of a swimmer, but I was a keen runner as a youth and that, coupled with my passion for BMX in the 80s, mountain biking in the 90s and now road biking in the 20s, gave me a head start to being a total beginner in the sport. I trained hard and completed it in 1:27:48 and was a very proud finisher. I've just completed the same event a year later and knocked…

Ashleigh Gentle: Century maker Gentle has made the 100km distance her own in the past two years… 1st, Singapore T100, April 2024 1st, PTO Asian Open, Singapore, August 2023 2nd, PTO US Open, Milwaukee, August 2023 2nd, PTO European Open, Ibiza, May 2023 1st, PTO US Open, Dallas, September 2022 1st, PTO Canadian Open, Edmonton, July 2022 Other career highlights 1st, ITU World Triathlon Grand Final, Gold Coast, September 2018 1st, Commonwealth Games mixed team relay, Gold Coast, April 2018 1st, World Triathlon Series, Montreal, August 2017 1st, ITU Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships, Hamburg, July 2017 1st, ITU Triathlon Junior World Championship Grand Final Budapest, September 2010 Australian Ashle Gentle is the woman to beat in the race to become the inaugural T100 world champion. Ranked No. 1 by…