Gosling Creek Reserve was as pretty as a picture when a rock solid 130 + of NSW’s and ACT’s best Junior Athletes undertook the annual pilgrimage to the triathlon mecca that is ‘TNSW / TACT Super Sprint and the TNSW / TACT Mixed Relay Team Championships. This event was hosted and delivered by the superb Orange Triathlon Club.

For those that have not had the pleasure of being out to the home of triathlon in Orange, the venue is almost custom made for the sport, featuring a fully enclosed ‘Crit Track’, running tracks and a dam that leads to a perfect location for transition.

The locals were excited to advise that the weather that greeted athletes, coaches and parents alike was the best they had seen in the past two years! Perfect windless conditions were a welcome treat after a tough couple of years previously. 

Race weekends of this nature are a vital part of the TNSW / TACT Development Pathway, as they allow athletes to learn critical lessons required to mould their triathlon careers including building resilience, grit and draft legal racing in all kinds of conditions. Experiences at events of this nature provide lasting learning outcomes and make them more equipped and skilled in the long run.

The learning outcomes were enhanced by the presence of two Triathlon Australia Technical officials, Sue Horsburgh and Thomas Warren. The addition of a penalty box was also well received, with the focus of the event being on education and teaching, rather than rule enforcement. We’d like to extend a big thanks to Sue and Thomas for contributing their time to the event.

A full weekend of racing was offered including participation in the Mixed Relay team format of the sport, which made its Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020. An exciting battle amongst the teams as the event was weighted as the Triathlon NSW/ACT Mixed Relay Championships.

A significant note of thanks must go to the critical and tireless efforts of the Orange Triathlon Club and their volunteer army, ensuring that this event continues to improve and grow every year. The two-day festival offered something for everyone, inclusive of Para athletes from the Development Pathway and Non-Drafting events for locals in Orange and those in the pathway not yet draft legal endorsed.

Adding to the hotly contested competition is the unique mixed gender environment, which ensures that every athlete taking part has close competitive races against athletes of similar capability.

The event also doubled up as ‘Race 4’ of the Billigence Pathway Championships Series with double points, and we extend our thanks to Billigence for their ongoing and continued support of the sport of triathlon. We love their passion, their commitment, and their dedication. Thanks Jana and Michael!

This event was also the selection race for the Palladium Property Performance Honorary Team. Unlike previous years where we have selected the Triathlon NSW / ACT No 1. team across Youth, Junior and U23, this season we selected an honorary team with plenty of benefits flowing towards the selected athletes. This Honorary Team was chosen using the selection policy endorsed by both the Triathlon NSW and Triathlon ACT Boards.

Both documents are now available for athletes, coaches and parents: Triathlon NSW Development Pathway.

Day 1 – Mixed Relay Teams Events

Athletes first hit the water in the Mixed Relay Team Event. It was not only the spectacular view of Mount Canobolas that took the athletes breath away, but it was also the fast and furious racing that left everyone a little bit short of breath. Featuring teams compiled of various Regional Academies of Sport, the Emerging Talent and U23 Squad, ROSTA and TACTTA.

Unlike the regular format, teams of 3 were chosen which allowed the inclusion of every single athlete who wished to compete, ensuring no ‘orphans’ were left out.

CLICK HERE to view to full podium results from 2022 TNSW / TACT Mixed Relay Team.

The athletes selected in the Palladium Property Performance Team have received a Team Polo which again features a unique design inspired by a local indigenous artist Kylie Tarleton who is from the Wiradjuri Land. As the team was chosen on Wiradjuri Land, Kylie provided the platypus design, which is a piece from her private collection, and it represents the totem of Orange, the Biladurang! (Wiradjuri for platypus). 

Athletes will also receive promotion on social media and financial support, all thanks to the sponsorship of Palladium Property, whose logo will be proudly displayed in their polos.  Thanks goes to their CEO Phillip Hoare for his ongoing investment and support of junior development and athletes in NSW/ACT.

Day 2 - TNSW / TACT Super Sprint Championships Finals

Athletes were graded into five finals based on their cumulative times after competing in an Aquathon and an ‘Enduro’ style event on the Saturday afternoon. The results (times) of those events were added together and all athletes were ranked into 5 finals, which were run on Sunday.

To say the A-Final was hotly contested was an understatement, and for those who were lucky enough to be out on course, spectators were privileged to see some amazing athletes in action. No doubt the current and future stars of our sport, showing off all the skills and hard work they’ve put in over winter.

The A Final was a photo finish between the local town hero Rory Thornhill and proud Central Coast local, Wade Barr. Wade held the lead on the run until the last few meters, where Rory and Wade crossed the finish line together – thankfully technology could split the hairs and award a winner.

Taking out the female overall was the Australian Junior World’s Representative , Emma Olson-Keating.

Particularly exciting at this year’s event in Orange was the continued inclusion of Paratriathletes. It’s wonderful to see these inspiring para-athletes joining us and gaining some superb experience for their triathlon careers.

Join us in congratulating the podium of the Paratriathlon Event:

 
Join us in congratulating the winners of the TNSW / TACT Super Sprint Championships

Lastly, we are thrilled to announce the following athletes have been provisionally selected pending appeal into the TNSW.TACT Palladium Property Performance Relay Teams.

Palladium Property Performance Honorary Youth Mixed Relay Team

Palladium Property Performance Honorary Junior Mixed Relay Team

Palladium Property Performance Honorary U23 Mixed Relay Team

Triathlon NSW extends our thanks to Dave Hunter and the entire volunteer workforce of the Orange Triathlon Club for once again conducting a smooth and seamless event, worthy of a State Title.

Thank you also to Billigence, our series sponsor; Phillip Hoare from Palladium Property for the investment in the Mixed Relay and to the Regional Academy or Sport coaches who once again supported the event by bringing their full teams, Nathan Breen for the commentary and entertainment and all the parents for a tough but worthwhile weekend.

CLICK HERE to access the appeals policy.

All the results from all races can be found here.