NSW and ACT State Pathway Program Athletes Return to Orange for Billigence Race 2 and Mixed Relay Team Championships

30 Oct 2024

It’s on again! All athletes in the State Pathway Program across NSW and the ACT will once again head to the Central West Triathlon hub of Orange. Future stars (and potential olympians) across the Youth, Junior and U23 categories head to Gosling Creek on Wiradjuri land for the annual NSW/ACT Super Sprint & Mixed Relay Triathlon Championships.

This race also doubles up as Round 2 of the Billigence Pathway Series– a series designed to develop the skills of our up and coming triathletes in a wide range of dynamic race formats.

This two day event, delivered by Orange Cycling & Triathlon Club (OCTC) for the 8th occasion, is designed to be inclusive of all Junior Aus Triathlon members with skills sessions, a non-drafting super sprint and an aquathlon on the program alongside valuable draft legal racing opportunities for our talented Pathway Development athletes. It is the definition of ‘something for everyone’!

Saturday, November 2nd will see the Mixed Relay Team Triathlon start the proceedings. This exciting format got everyone excited after it’s debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and then again in Paris 2024. The excitement will intensify for the event with State Championship Titles up for grabs for Youth and Junior/U23 categories. Athletes will have a bit of a rest after the relay, before returning to the race course for the Aquathlon Heats and Super Sprint Triathlon Heats, where their accumulative time both these races will determine which final they will be placed in on Sunday morning.

An anticipated 150 athletes will converge on Gosling Creek including a strong contingent from all Regional Academy of Sport triathlon partners and the ACT Triathlon Talent Academy, along with the Rest of State Talent Academy (ROSTA), NSW/ACT Development Squad Athletes.

NSW Triathlon Coach Education and Pathway Lead Robyn Low-Hart spoke about what the weekend is all about.

“The Billigence Series gives athletes experience racing in the draft legal format under World Triathlon conditions and rules. The course is designed to offer some tight turns, close pack riding and the idea is to replicate the type of racing athletes will face if they make it to the Olympic Games. It’s not so much about who wins, but the learnings, improvement and growth that is taken out of the weekend.”

Despite the fact that there will be some fast and fierce racing around the refurbished internal cycling track at Gosling Creek, we remind athletes of the expectation to compete in the spirit of good sportsmanship, and exercise high standards of race etiquette. Behave at all times with respect, familiarise yourself with the course, and follow the instructions given to you by Technical Officials, Race Officials & Marshalls.

Our thanks go to OCTC, in particular Dave Hunter, Megan Goodwin, Jana and Michael Kapr from Billigence, Andrew Tong who works the timing system for us and the wonderful volunteers from the local club for supporting and delivering such an awesome race weekend for our junior pathway athletes. 

The athlete guide, maps, start list is all now live on this page: NSW / ACT State Pathway Program – AusTriathlon

For more information, please contact Robyn Low-Hart (development@nsw.triathlon.org.au | 0408 651 877).

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