Redcliffe's tri stars taking on world

Published 2:00pm 7 July 2023

Words by Nick Crockford

Redcliffe Tri Club’s (RTC) athletes are gearing up to represent Australia around the world over the next three months.

Eight members will jet off to Europe and the Pacific put themselves to the ultimate triathlon test at world championship events.

It is the highest number of RTC representatives, especially at Ironman events, for many years.

Doug Locke, Charles Henwood and Martin Schett are heading to Nice, France, for the men’s Ironman World Championships on September 10.

They face a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42.2km run around the city’s famous Angel Bay. Henwood and Schett are making their overseas championship debuts.

Iconic course

Karen Reardon and Amanda McQueen go to the traditional ‘home’ of Ironman - Kona in Hawaii - for the women’s world championships on October 14.

Reardon has competed in ITU (International Triathlon Union) World Championships in the US 2015 and Canada 2016. McQueen also raced in the latter.

Locke and Reardon qualified in Cairns last month, but the men’s and women’s races – once both held in Kona – are now split and alternate each year between France and Hawaii.

Louise Patty and Helen Sprott will be at the ITU World Age Group Championships in Pontevedra, Spain on September 22-24.

Patty, making her debut in overseas championships, will compete in the traditional swim/bike/run triathlon. Sprott is in the swim/bike aquabike.

Leanda Robbins is heading to Lahti, Finland, for the 70.3 Ironman World Championships on August 26-27, over a (half Ironman) 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride and 21.2lm run.

Robbins has raced extensively around the world over the last decade in ITU and Ironman World Championships.

Brett Jackson, a life member of RTC, also recently swam the epic 21km Perth to Rottnest Island race.

“Athletes that have qualified for the Ironman or any World Championships, have many common attributes,” a club spokesperson said.

Mental edge

“What sets them apart is their mental edge, which is cultivated intentionally in training and through past race experiences.

“All will arrive at their respective race having worked hard to achieve their peak preparation and their best physical shape for their respective event, all because of their commitment, positive mental attitude, patience, confidence and toughness.”

Redcliffe Tri Club started more than 30 years ago and strives to grow the sport in South-East Queensland.

The club provides an “open, supportive, educational, and healthy competitive environment for athletes and their families, regardless of skill levels and abilities”.