The Italian Job - Biathle World Tour Report - Images - Results
The British team of 38 Biathletes travelled to the Ge-TUR Sports Training Village at Lignano Sabbiadoro for the Italian round of the Biathle World Tour.
Although the weather was uncharacteristically British leading up to the event with wind, rain and heavy seas, the morning of the event gave way to clear skies, sunshine and an unusual calm settling on the Adriatic Sea.
With teams from Spain, Austria, Germany and Turkey along with ourselves and the Italians the scene was set for some hot competition. The run was around the roads within the complex, crossing the sandy beach to the transition and the sea swim.
First up were the Youths E Girls with Megan Bassett and Zoe Gowers finishing strongly in 2nd and 3rd place behind the Turkish athlete Buse Softa to take the teams first medals. Marguerite Chitty was fourth.
Even better was to come with the Youths D race with some good packing and a clean sweep of medals courtesy of Hannah Parker, 1st, Laura Chitty 2nd and Victoria Halford 3rd. Zainab Carr-Miller finished in 7th place.
Not to be outdone, both our Youths E boys collected medals with Hugh Ireland 2nd and Elliot Laville 3rd behind winner Gustav Gustenav from Austria. Another medal for our lone Youths D Boy, Joel Shepperd who finished a fine 3rd behind the Turkish pair of Semih Acikgoz and Dogukan Berber.
Next up were the Youths C girls which was won by Spains Marta Garcia but silver and bronze went to Kiera Mooney and Africa Mason with just 2 tenths of a second splitting the British pair. Charlotte Coxhead finished in 6th place. Neil King managed to hold off Italys Mattia Lebovin to take anther gold medal by less than half a second in a fine finish in the boys Youths C race with Omari Carr-Millar taking the bronze medal. Louis Laville finished in 12th place
The Masters races came next, and true to form plenty of medals were in store for the team, Mary Collett continued her winning streak in the Masters C race and Margaret Smith and Suzanne Clarkson collected gold and silver in the B race.
Nick Ireland held off Germanys Hans Jorg Kuck and Austrias Manfred Waldner to win the Masters Mens A race and Mick Flaherty saw reward for all his hard work coaching the team with a gold medal in the B race from Germanys Leo Grosser. Brits John Sutton, Geoff Lewis and Peter Collett took gold silver and bronze respectively in the C race.
Back to the younger athletes and the strong Youths B races. Sally Chuis excellent swim saw her leading out of the water and with the lead changing several times during the final run, Sally had to settle for a brave silver behind Spains Nuria Chavarria. Jo Puckett and Jenna Waite finished 7th and 9th respectively.
Tom Crew finished behind Spains Aleix Hereda but in front of Italys Andrea Micalizza to claim silver in the boys race. Brett Bassett and Kieran Maynard were 5th and 7th.
Kay Shafford and Niall Laming both took silver medals in the Youths A races with Italians Silvia Papini and Federico Viviani taking the victories.
Natalie Thomas took Gold in the Junior Ladies Race and Kevin Jones took third behind Italians Riccardo Sterni and Auro Franceschini in the Junior Mens Race.
In the senior races, Rachel Jones had an emphatic win with a margin of over a minute over Italians Sabrina Crognale and Manuela Landi with Carly Bland 6th and Michelle Matson 7th. Gregan Clarkson swam and ran strongly but could not catch Spains Isaac Lopez and took a well deserved silver medal ahead of Matteo Smith of Italy.
So 38 athletes and 29 medals meant that the British team were once again at the head of the medal table.
Rumour has it that the 2009 European Championships may be held at this venue and I am sure that these athletes will be very pleased to return there next year.
Well done to everyone. View images here. Results can be viewed here.
Biathle World Tour - Egypt
The details and entry form are now available on the Calendar for this event. Please note these need to be returned by 26th June.
International Events
Final details have now been received for two of the Biathle World Tour International events in South Africa and Italy. Details of our own World Tour event in Weymouth are also on the calendar.
Flights are available for the event on March 23rd from Heathrow to Johannesburg from 202 return plus taxes on www.cheapticket.co.uk web site (as at 5th February).
The Italian round of the World Tour has moved from Follonica in Tuscanny to Lignano on the Adriatic Coast between Venice and Trieste with Ryanair flying to Treviso near Trieste. Reasonbaly priced all inclusive accommodation is available within 100 metres of the competition site.
Please look at the calendar of event for more detailed information.
Biathle Kit
Continuing its support of British Biathle, VIGA Athletic Clothing is offering to all our members a special Christmas present in the way of discount on their whole (non Biathle) range. The offer is open to all members of MPAGB.
Between now and Christmas members can enjoy a 30% reduction across all the VIGA range from their website (including their new ranges). This offer does not apply to the Biathle Team Kit which is already heavily subsidised.
When making your order, after your name quote "Biathle" to receive your discount.
Viga has also told us that the British Biathle Team backpacks are now back in stock.
Calendar Dates 2008
A number of new dates have been added to the calendar for 2008. Check them out here.
Monaco Table Toppers
The British Biathle Team of 100 athletes came home from the Principality of Monaco with a record NINE World Champions.
The weather for this event, which is two weeks later than normal, was worrying with thunderstorms closing Nice airport at one stage and some of our athletes being diverted to Avignon and even Italy. However all eventually made it to the beautiful Larvotto Beach for the competition.
The Pasta Party at the Grimaldi Forum on the eve of the competition was hectic, with over 500 turning up and just one serving point, the queue was rather long!
Competition day came with clear blue skies and very warm temperatures and quite a swell on the water in the normally placid and protected Larvotto Bay.
An early start for the youngest competitors, the 10 year Old Youths E and first away were the boys. Britains best medal hope, Bradley Yates was up at the front contesting the lead with two South Africans in the early stages but Bradley, one of the fastest 800 metres runners in the Britain, had to settle for third and a bronze medals behind the two South Africans. Benjamin Meir 6th, Hugh Ireland 7th and Sam Scholl 11th completed the GB team.
A similar result in the Girls race with South Africa taking the first two places but only 3 seconds covered the first four with Bethan Whittall (3rd) and Caitlan Stewart (4th) battling all the way to the line, so close that they recorded the same time. Bethany Everson (5th) Jennifer Vincent (7th) Victoria Halford (9th) and Angharad Eburne (12th) completed the team.
Two bronze medals in the first two races could the youths D athletes do any better? The Boys race was a torrid affair with all conscious of the short fast start leading to a sharp turn on to Avenue Princes Grace and the main run. It is important to get through the corner safely and preferable in front. This Hugo Fleming managed and was never headed winning by a clear 10 seconds margin from two South Africans and becoming our first World Champion of 2007. Jack Beddoes finished in an excellent fourth place with Ben Everson 7th and George Richardson 8th. Andrew Keat 10th, Daniel Quarmby 13th.
Were we on a roll? We certainly were. Ellie Walton had an emphatic win in the Girls race to become our second World Champion and she was ably backed up by our 2006 European Champion Emily Jenkinson who claimed the Bronze medal. Grace Howie was 6th, Bethany Letherby 9th, Kathleen Rafferty 12th and Zainab Carr-Millar 15th.
Ben Walsh was our best finisher in the Youths C race in 5th Place with Marcus Quarmby 7th, Tom Rowley 8th, Keiran Maynard 10th , Jo Gigli 12th and Omari Carr-Millar 13th. In the Girls Race, a fall at the notorious first corner saw the leading two bounce back to their feet and go on to a 1 2 and it was Melissa Courtney who became our third World Champion of the day holding off a very strong challenge from a South Africa trio. Joanna Puckett was 6th, Emily Fitzhugh 9th, Chelsea McKenzie 12th, Giverny Barrett 15th, Hannah Radvan 16th, and Sally Chui 18th acquitted themselves well in a field of 33 athletes.
All of the Masters Men ran together and with the sad absence of Frenchman Christophe Ruer, who won the World Championships in Manchester in 2006, the Youths A men were to compete for the Christophe Ruer Trophy in his memory. Luca Villa was many peoples favourite for the crown but it was countryman Alessandro Lambruschini who led the way from the start with Villa finishing second. Mark Evan led home the British Challenge in 7th Place just ahead of Nick Ireland and Darren Yates in 8th and 9th.
The Czech Republic claimed their first Gold medal in the masters B race with Stephen Kelleher literally snatching a bronze medal on the line from South Africa. Our Fourth World Champions cam in the form of Biathle Stalwart Geoff Lewis in the Masters C Class followed home by Bill Shackcloth in the Silver medal position.
Our Masters Ladies are always seen as some of the best in the world and this year again saw some strong performances. In the A race, Annaley Yates found herself in the lead after the swim but South Africans only female Farrier, in the form of the very strong and experienced Treloar Childs, managed to catch and overtake Annaley by the end of the run. Another Silver for Britain with Caroline Slimin 4th and Jackie Walsh 5th. Melanie Evans showed the B ladies the way home to record and emphatic win and our fifth World Champion. Once again Melanie was backed up by Judith Quick in Silver medal position with Margaret Smith fourth. Our redoubtable multi world Champion Mary Collett once again added to our World Champion tally by winning the C race.
The event moved on to the longer swim distances now and it was a great pity that no-one seemed to know that the swim course needed to be altered. The Youths B Girls found that they were swimming the 100 metres course not 200 as should have been set up. However the swimmers did two laps of the swim course and an absolute catastrophe was avoided. Out of this Rebecca Craigie managed to salvage an excellent third place and a bronze medal. Lucy Smith finished in 6th with Hannah Hills 8th, Fenella Langridge 10th, Jessica Pike 14th, Melissa Mason 15th, and Georgina Thornton 21st.
Course sorted and the large of contingent of Youths B Boys were off. An Egyptian, Gomma Aly Eldin took complete control of the race to take the win but it was Michael Cook who upheld the British honour with a strong run to third leading home some good packing from Chris Wilkinson 4th, Scott Evans 5th and Josh Radvan 6th. The other Brits were Thomas Crew 10th, Robert van Tromp 12th Sam petty 13th, Niall Laming 15th all finishing in the top half of the field.
France gained their first medal of the Championship with silver in the Youths A Girls race and it was Laura Evans who finished third for her bronze medal. Sophie Crumly and Georgina Grandfield finished 4th and 5th Kay Shafford and Danielle Parkinson 9th and 10th and Lucy Baker 13th. Although Stephen Mason looked very comfortable leading the field into the water after the first run in the Youths A Boys race, it was two South Africans who started the second run ahead. Despite some very spirited running by Stephen and the gap closing he had to settle for a well deserved third and another bronze medal for the GB Team Matthew Pye finished 8th, Matthew Hill 11th, Henry Brewster 12th, Matthew Everest 13th and Kevin Jones 14th.
The Junior Womens event was almost a walkover for Natalie Barnard who dominated the event winning by 32 seconds from Lucy Ferguson and Nicola Rowley to give Britain a clean sweep of medals and another World Champion. Natalie Thomas finished in 6th place. Another emphatic win and Britains eighth World Champion came courtesy of Russell North. Russell never looked in any trouble keeping the chasing South African and fast charging Egyptian at bay. Chris Joyce, Michael Evans, Alex Surplice and James Parkinson packed well to finish 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th.
The Senior Ladies Race saw the 2006 World Champion Maria Barrett and bronze medallist Rachel Jones head to head with last years silver medallist missing through Injury. But it turned out to be a fight between Rachel Jones and newcomer Irelands Emma Davies. There was nothing to choose between them as they entered transition but the strong swell seemed to favour the Irish girl who started the second run 30 seconds ahead. Although the gap had been reduced to just 12 seconds by the end of the race Ireland gained their first Biathle World Champion and Britain had to settle for silver. Marie Barrett finished third to take bronze and Carly Bland finished in 5th place.
Richard Stannard made it two World Championships in three years when he repeated his 2005 performance on the same course to beat two very good Italians and become our ninth World Champion of 2007. Our own 2006 World bronze medallist and Champion Jon Fletcher and Gregan Clarkson finished in 5th and sixth places respectively. Toby Ryan finished in 16th place and Ian Shackcloth 18th.
Prince Albert was on hand to help with the presentation of the medals and he showed his very keen interest in sport by willingly being photographed with many of the athletes. The Championships ended with a wonderful closing party at the Stars n Bars Restaurant on the harbour at which the Biathle World Tour meals were also presented.
So a fitting end to the Biathle Season with a record number of World Champions. We now look forward to 2008 with renewed vigour. A new venue for the Italian World Tour, A new European Championships and a trip to Cape town for the 2008 Biathle World Championships at the end of October.
Congratulations to the whole British team on their impressive performances and a great deal of thanks to all who helped, managed and coached the team during their stay in Monaco.
View the picture gallery here and here and the results here.
|
Country |
Gold |
Silver |
Bronze |
|
Great Britain |
9 |
5 |
10 |
|
South Africa |
7 |
12 |
6 |
|
Italy |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Egypt |
1 |
- |
2 |
|
Czech republic |
1 |
- |
- |
|
Ireland |
1 |
- |
- |
|
France |
- |
1 |
- |
Howard Jones
Bridlington 2007
The event went very well this year. Set up on time, cloudy, no wind, reasonable warm and a still sea to swim in. Perfect. Just missed the sun which came out for the presentation ceremony and whilst tiding up. Most successful year to date apart from the numbers but everyone left happy.
Negotiations are on to move the event to a local pool with plenty of room to run for next year. We have to remember that this area was severley affected by the floods in June this year and is still recovering from their effects. Results are available here.
Gregan Clarkson
Rain Didnt stop Play - Weymouth GB Series 3
The fourth event of the 2007 Biathle World Tour and third event in the GB Biathle Race series was staged in Weymouth on Saturday 30th June (Results here). Despite the severe weather warnings, the day produced constant heavy rain but mild temperatures and a warm sea. The anticipated bad sea state didnt materialise and the event went on with great success, although the Officials and spectators needed to dry out after the event.
The races started early, at 8:00 a.m. to take advantage of the high tide and the youths D & E Girls were first to get underway. In a close finish, Bethal Whittall managed to get the better of Caitlan Stewart 2nd and Jennifer Vincent 3rd. Another close finish in the Youth D race saw Grace Howie win by just 2 seconds from Ellie Walton with Kathleen Rafferty third.
The weather forecast must have frightened off the young boys from Gray House School and Sam School was left to take the win. George Richardson held off Sean Watson to win the Youths D race with Connor Aitkin sneaking third.
Melissa Courtney had an emphatic win in the Youths C race with an excellent time of 5 minutes dead, 30 seconds ahead of Joanna Puckett and Giverny Barrett a further 5 seconds back in third. Oscar tweed won the Boys race from Alex Sampson and Tim Longden.
Hans-Joerg Kuck from Germany won the Masters A race from Dave Milburn and Nick Ireland with Richard Dunbabin having a seemingly easy win in the Masters B race from Stephen Kelleher and John Sutton. Carole Smith made a successful return to Biathle winning the Masters B race from Margaret Smith and Mary & Peter Collett took the respective Masters C crowns.
The Youth B races are always very strongly contested and Weymouth was no different. Thomas crew won the boys race with Niall Laming just pipping Robert van Tromp for second. Fenella Langridge took the spoils in eth girls race from Melissa Mason and Georgina Thornton.
There were wins for Ed Ponsonby and Kay Shafford in eth Youths A Race and for Lucy Ferguson in the Junior Ladies Race. Carly Bland won eth Senior Ladies race from Caroline Slimin and Katie Carter.
The Senior mens race brought together 2 world champions and a double world bronze medallist. By the end of a hard fought race, it was the 2005 Biathle World Champion who won in a time of 11 minutes 45 seconds from double World Bronze medallist Jon Fletcher (12mins 4 secs) with the reigning Biathle World Champions Gregan Clarkson third (12 mins 18 secs)
Following the event everyone dried off and went to the Sea Palace for a splendid Chinese Banquet and the prize giving. Our appreciation goes to all those volunteers who helped with registration, transition, timekeeping, recording, life saving and all the other jobs in the most continuous wet conditions I have seen for a long time. It is only with such help that these competitions are the success they are THANKS!
Biathle World Tour - Follonica
A British team of 27 athletes travelled to Tuscany for the Italian round of the Biathle World Tour and came away with 18 medals.
The event was held in very high temperatures on the seafront of the holiday resort of Follonica. Right from the first event, the British domination started to show. Jennifer Vincent and Megan Bassett came home 2nd and 3rd behind a very strong Turkish athlete in the Youths E race. In the Youths D events, Gold and Silver went to Hugo Fleming and Andrew Keat and, in the girls race, a bronze medal to Hannah Parker behind an Italian and a Spaniard.
Success continued in the Youths C races when Kieran Maynard easily won the Boys event with Brett Bassett just outside the medals in 4th. Sally Chui finishing an excellent second to Spains Marta Garcia with the other British girls Hannah Radvan 5th and Charlotte Coxhead 7th.
In the Masters events, gold medals went to Margaret Smith (B), Mary and Peter Collett (C). Mick Flaherty who hasnt done any running training since his knee injury managed to win a photo finish with fantastic sprint to the line for silver in the Masters B race and silver went to Suzanne Clarkson (B) with Simon Fleming 4th (B) and Paul Brewster (A) 6th. Unfortunately our other masters medal hope, Geoff Lewis was not too well on the day and did not compete. We all hope he is soon back to his usual good form.
After nearly 10 minutes of racing, Alex Heredia of Spain won the Youths B event by just 1/100th of a second from Josh Radvan. Perhaps if his top had been a few microns thicker you never know! Oliver McSoley finished 6th and Guy Usher 8th. Jenna Waite was 8th in the Girls B race.
Henry Brewster added to our gold medal tally in the Youths A Race with another emphatic win and Natalie Thomas gained a further gold in the Junior Ladies event.
Britain took all three medals with a fine 1, 2, 3, in the Senior Ladies event courtesy of Rachel Jones, Carly Bland and Michelle Matson. Despite some brave front running by our current World Champion Gregan Clarkson, an immensely fit trio of Italian policemen relegated him to fourth in the Senior Mens Race by the finish.
Once again, Britain showed how strong its Biathletes are when pitted against the rest of the world and look forward to heading the Biathle World Tour tables at the end of the year. Well done to everyone. Full GBR results are available here.
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Britain | 8 | 7 | 3 |
| Italy | 7 | 5 | 8 |
| Turkey | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Spain | 2 | 2 | - |
| Germany | - | 1 | 1 |
GB Series Rankings now available here.
Biathle World Tour - Weymouth
The joining instructions for the Biathle World Tour at Weymouth can be downloaded here.
GB Series Biathle - Canterbury
Last weekend (27th May) saw the final GB Series Biathle to be held at Kings School Recreation Centre in Canterbury. The weather relented and the athletes enjoyed another excellent competition thanks to the time and effort of Geoff and Denise Farnham.
Geoff and Denise have organised this event for the last three years and done so very professionally. Denise has a great history in Biathle, taking her first world title in 2001 in Germany and being pipped by just 2 seconds in Cagliari to take silver. She bounced back to take world titles in Monaco (2003), Marktoberdorf (2004) and Monaco again in 2005. Denise is also a very accomplished track runner having achieved international medals at various middle distances. Unfortunately injuries lead to her retirement from all sport in 2006. Denise has been a shining example to the sport and a great ambassador. Geoff, who has masterminded the Canterbury events was always on hand to offer his help and encouragement at all Biathle competitions. I clearly remember getting absolutely wet through in the finishing funnel at the World Championships in Salford, collecting timing chips from competitors and issuing refunds.
After the Canterbury event a presentation was made to Geoff and Denise who were thanked for all their support and help over the years. We now offer the our best wishes for their retirement from Biathle.
The results for the Canterbury event can be accessed here and should anyone want to try and step into Geoff and Denise's shoes and stage a Biathle event in the South East, then don't hesitate to contact either Howard Jones or for help and guidance.
4th North East Schools Biathle
Entry forms are now available for the North East Schools Biathle to be held at Bridlington on Saturday 8th September. There will be an award to the overall top school, medals for the top three in each age group and a commmemorative prize to all finishers
WORLD TOUR BIATHLE CUBA 2007
The Cuban Modern Pentathlon Association has organised their 2007 round of the Biathle World Tour in Havana on June 9th & 10th according to the followings program.
June 9 : Arrival of delegations & Technical Meeting
June 10 : Competition at the Playas del Este, Villa Mgano and Award Ceremony
The closing date is 20th May and anyone interested in attending should contact Howard Jones ( ) or 7.
European Championships 2007 - Turkey
We have just been informed by the UIPM that the Turkish Federation have requested a date change for the European Biathle Championships. Until we have clarification, I would suggets thatall those interested in competing refrain from making travel and accommodation arrangements until the situation is made clear.
Follonica and Monaco Information Sheets
Information sheets have now been published and are available as downloads for the 2007 Follonica and Monaco Biathle events.
Triple Gold in Monaco
Richard Stannard held off two very determined Italians to take Gold Medal at the World Biathle Championships in Monaco . This was only the second medal GB hade ever won in the Senior Men?s event, John Fletcher getting the first, a bronze in 2004.
Maria Barratt took Gold and continued our success in the Junior Ladies event and Denise Farnham won herself another Gold having moved up to Masters Ladies B.
The overcast and slightly damp but warm day in Monaco started with success. Monty Wilson and Hugo Fleming took fine silver and bronze medals respectively in eth first race of the day, the youths E.
Then a succession of South African victories before Grace Hobbs took GB?s third medal of the day, a bronze in the Youths D Girls Race. After recovering from a nasty fall during in the Youths C race, another Bronze medal went to Sophie Corbidge seen here presenting champagne flutes to UIPM Secretary general Joel Bouzou (centre) and President Klaus Schorman. Samantha Preddy just missed out in fourth.
More medals came to GB in the Masters events with a clean sweep in the Masters B Ladies race for Denise Farnham, Mary Collett and Margaret Smith. John Hill and Dave Dodgson took Silver and Bronze in the Masters B Mens race and Geoff Lewis took silver in the Masters C Men?s race.
Yet another Bronze medal went to Laura Evans with Lorna Russell a close fourth in the Youths B girls Race.
Although German David Pietzner took victory in the Youths A Boys Race, a photo finish was required to split Russell North and Alex Surplice for Silver and bronze. In the Girls Race, Natalie Barnard claimed the bronze in front of Harriet Hart and Clare Kane.
James Lock had a fine competition and an excellent final run to take bronze in the Junior Men?s event. Maria was never headed in the Junior Ladies event winning by 48 seconds, Nicola Rowley taking bronze.
The final events of the day were the Seniors and Richard Stannard, just home from his Silver medal in the World Aquathon Championships in Japan , was very determined to take the Biathle crown. He did just that with an impressive 8 seconds win over last year?s silver medallist and 21 seconds over the 2004 World Champion. Three times World Champion Daniella Chmet was to make it four in a row but it was Gwen Kinsey who took the silver medal for Britain in the Senior Ladies event.
All the focus now goes on Salford Quays for the next Biathle World Championships to be held on 3rd September 2006.
Top 3 and GBR Results
2005 Biathle World Championship Medal Table
|
Country |
Gold |
Silver |
Bronze |
Total |
|
South Africa |
9 |
7 |
5 |
21 |
|
Great Britain |
3 |
6 |
10 |
19 |
|
Italy |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
|
Egypt |
2 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
|
Germany |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Czech Republic |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Switzerland |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Denmark |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
France |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Hungary |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Lithuania |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Biathle World Tour Dates 2006 - 2008
South Africa have published the dates for their World Tour Events for the next three years.
- World Tour - Sunday 16th April 2006 - Bela Bela Game Reserve
- World Tour - Sunday 8th April 2007 - Cape Town
- World Tour - Sunday 23rd March 2008 - Venue tbc
Anyone interested in being considered for the 2006 event, please let Howard Jones know asap. The event promises to be a huge success with plenty to do in this remarkable country.