HOT NEWS

Thruxton Mass Attack
5k/30k/5k
Sunday 21st October 2001

While most of the team are enjoying a welcome break, three members decided to blow the dust off at the duathlon in Thruxton. About 180 competitors finished the race, the winning male's time being 1.15.32.

Toby Hood was 33rd overall, recording times of 15.50/51.50/16.39 to finish in 1.24.19.
Nick Wooller was 54th overall with splits of 17.27/52.15/18.20, total 1.28.02.
Making up the team was Kev James who came in 73rd with times of 17.52/54.52/18.12, finishing in an overall time of 1.30.56.

Weymouth 10 mile road race
Saturday 20th October 2001

Pete Rabjohns followed up his fifty eight minute run at the Great South by recording a top 10 finish at Weymouth in 59.44. He was using this as a warm up run for the infamous Grizzly on Sunday 21st.

Great South Run
Sunday 14th October 2001

While most of the team are enjoying some down time Peter Rabjohns and Di Newnham decided to take part in Europe's biggest 10 mile road race. The two athletes toed the line with 10,200 runners.
Pete had a great run, finishing in 58.01 in 65th position overall. Di achieved her target time coming home in 1.23.30 in 2394th.

 

Thruxton Row, Bike, Run
Sunday 30th September 2001

On a wet & windy day Team Austin went to Thruxton to fly the team colours. Leah completed her 1k row in 8.20 before attacking the 3.5k cycle in 14.06, finishing with a 800m run in 4.36.

Leah completed her race in 27.20 finishing 6th overall. In the adults race, Debbie had a 3k row in 12.18, a 21k bike in 49.27 and a 3.5k run in 15.16. Completing her race in 1.17. Debbie went a couple of places better than Leah, by winning her race.
 

Amber Austin 8th in the Country

Following Tuesdays postings of the National Milk Series results I am pleased to announce that in her first season as a triathlete Amber Austin has finished in 8th place.

Amber had travelled all over the Country to race in the series, as did 24 other athletes. Having achieved her goal of a top ten National ranking Amber has decided to take time out from triathlon to focus on running.

All at Synergie wish her success.

Top 10 for Austin at National Milk Series Race Nottingham
Saturday 15th September 2001

The last race in the series put pressure on Amber Austin to produce a good performance, in order to ensure her National ranking. A consistent swim, 300m in about 5 mins put her in a good position. A tough bike on a grassy and muddy course tired Amber, however her strong running came to the fore as she finished in an overall time of 29.10. She finished 9th out of 15 in splits of 5.02, 13.13 and 9.25.

Hood wins Triathlon Challenge Series.

Details of the National Triathlon Challenge Series published on the British Triathlon Associations website show that Toby Hood scored most ranking points in his Age Group to win the Series. Toby was almost 2000 ahead of his nearest rival.

 

Wimborne Triathlon
Sunday 23rd September 2001

This race always provides a good end of season "social" for the athletes. Most club athletes are coming into their rest period so are quite relaxed about the race and this atmosphere is augmented by the number of first time triathletes using this race as the start of something new.

A large field of over 200 athletes completed the course.

Toby Hood  won his age group and placed 5th overall, Peter Rabjohns placed 3rd in his age group and finished 11th overall and Nick Wooller was one place behind him but was 2nd in his age group. Team Synergie were the 2nd placed team.


Most of the athletes are now looking forward to a couple of weeks rest after a long, hard season.

 

Leah gets cross !!!
Thursday 20th September 2001

Leah Austin, the team's youngest athlete, managed to talk herself into a place on the East Dorset Schools Cross Country Series. A series of four races, the first one being a mile race cross country. Despite racing against athletes who were all 1 or 2 years older than her, Leah run home in 40th position out of a field of 59 athletes.

The conditions weren't to her liking though, she likes it to be nice and muddy. In the seniors race Amber Austin marked her return to running with a victory.

 

 

 

ALLEN wins UK Middle Distance Championships
at Llanberis Half Ironman 
Llanberis Sunday 9th September 2001

The inaugural Llanberis Half Ironman Distance Hawaii Qualifier & UK Middle Distance Championships was won by ALLEN on Sunday, unfortunately it was Richard not Julian. Richard finished in about 4hours and 7 minutes to win the race in cold, windy conditions.

Two mass start waves of about 700 athletes each got the race off to a spectacular start, however the cold wind was to take it's toll on many on the bike and run.

Julian complete a trouble free 1.2 mile swim in about 34 minutes, however  he wasn't prepared for the bumping and barging in the changing tent. A good bike of 2.45 put him out onto the run where, having not run on land for about 6 weeks, he knew he would have to dig deep. The cold took it's effect with Julian experiencing cramp in both legs, however on a positive not his injury worry over his calf was unaffected.

He finished the race in about 5.18. He was 77th out of 252 competitors in his age group (top 30%) and overall was 292 out of 1100 finishers (top 26%). More importantly he beat an old friend and adversary, Rod McLean again, by over 200 places and 20 minutes.

 

Cotswold Sprint Triathlon 
Sunday 9th September 2001

Whilst Julian was battling the cold and wind in Wales, Toby Hood was competing in the last race of the National Series at the Cotswolds Water Park in Swindon. A fast race saw Toby finish in just over the hour, finishing 8th in his age group and 31st out of 250 competitors (top 12%).

We await with bated breath the final series placing to see if Toby has maintained his current podium position.      

 

Brighton Non-BTA Olympic Triathlon
Saturday 1st September 2001

Dave Pratten journeyed across to Brighton to race in his first triathlon of the season. Racing on the same day as the Elite and the day before the National Series race, Dave put in a great performance to finish 17th out of 156 competitors and win his Age Group in a time of 2:36:58.  

 

Brighton National Series Olympic Distance Triathlon 
Sunday 2nd September 2001.

Toby Hood was hoping to get some National Ranking points from this race, however a heavy sea slowed everyone down on the first discipline. Toby raced through to complete the event in 2:15:54, finishing 20th out of 205 finishers and 6th in his Age Group. A good race at Cotswolds Sprints should see Toby consolidate his Age Group Podium position in the National Series. 

 

Littledown Triathlon Sunday 2nd September 2001cccccc

Pete Rabjohns and Graham Starmer once again raced well at the Littledown Triathlon. Starting in the same swim wave, only seconds apart, they raced head to head throughout the competition.
Graham chased Peter all the way and at the finish Pete had squeezed out a 43 second advantage. Both had pushed each other on and they finished fourth and fifth out of 100 competitors.

 

Weekend Warriors

While most enjoyed the good weather over the Bank Holiday weekend, four of the team decided to have some fun in the sun.

Hart Duathlon Monday 27th August.

Peter Rabjohns & Graham Starmer
competed the duathlon of 6k run, 20k bike and 5k. The holiday weekend meant that the race had a field of approximately 100 athletes. The winning mean's time was 1.08. Pete came home in 9th place overall, in a time of 1.12, he was 7th in his Age group. Graham finished in 14th place overall, 3rd in his Age group in a time of 1.15.

Cranborne 10k.

Toby Hood and Di Newnham
toed the start line with about 150 athletes, amongst them Toby's sister Melissa, who was competing her first 10k. The winning men's time of 34.06 was being checked as a new course record. Toby set a PB on the course of 36.53, smashing his target time and finishing
on the podium in 3rd place overall. Di achieved her target time, finishing on 49.26. The 1st female home completed in 41.49. Melissa seemed to enjoy her race, finishing with a sprint finish.  


Synergie Coaching Triathlon Training Days

Synergie Coaching have agreed with David Lloyd at Ringwood, the following dates as triathlon training days. The days are free of charge, on a first come-first served basis. All days start at 8am and athletes will need swim, bike including turbo & run equipment.

Sunday 28th October 2001. This is a testing day for the coached athletes only.
Sunday 25th November 2001
Sunday 23rd December 2001
Sunday 20th January 2002. This is a testing day for the coached athletes only.
Sunday 17th February 2002.
Sunday 17th March 2002
Sunday 14th April 2002. This is a testing day for the coached athletes only.

Hood's Hat-trick of Results

Toby Hood had had a busy couple of weeks, listed are the last three races he has completed.

Salisbury Triathlon Sunday 15th July 2001
Toby had a good race in favourable weather. A swim of under 6 minutes for 400m put him in contention straight away, he biked under the hour and ran a storming 29minutes to complete the course in 1.34.50. finishing 2nd overall. The only person to better this time was Chris Chamberlain in 1.31.23.

Swanage Triathlon Sunday 12th August 2001
Poor weather caused a few accidents at the testing Swanage race, however Toby was first in his age group and 13th overall out of a field of 200 athletes. Official times were 22 minutes for the swim, 65 minutes bike and 40 minute run a total time and new personal best of 2.07.28.

South Cerney Triathlon Sunday 19th August 2001
Bad weather again played it's part but Toby had a blistering race placing 2nd in his age group and 7th overall. He finished in 1.54.46 and although feeling the swim was short is delighted at posting such a time despite not tapering for the race.

 

Clive Agate - Mission Accomplished

National Age Group Championships
Salford Quays, Manchester
Sunday 12th August 2001

Following almost two years of injury problems, Clive focused on the age group championships as his main goal of the season, this would be the race that would prove he was getting back into contention.
The championships were being raced over the same course that the Commonwealth Games triathlon will take place on in 2002.

A good swim, almost 30 minutes exactly, saw Clive leave the Salford Quays in 7th position, there was then a long run into transition. The technical bike course was causing some athletes difficulties, a 10k loop with some 180 degree turns, cobblestones and torrential rain. Clive completed the 40k in about 72 minutes before heading out onto the run. He ran a seasons' best 42 minutes to run himself into 3rd place overall, completing the race in 2.30.38.

At the end of the race Clive stated that he could not have raced any harder.

The winner was Richard Melvern in 2.19.47 and in silver medal position was
Malcolm Marsh in 2.21.48

 

James Goes Long for GB

World Long Course Triathlon Championships
Fredericia, Denmark Saturday 4th August 2001

Kevin James was selected to race as part of the Great Britain team competing at the World Championships over the long course distance of 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run.

This selection completed Kev's hat-trick in British colours, as he has previously represented his Country at both Standard and Middle Distance Triathlon Championships.

Kevin was racing in the 40-44 Age Group, completing the race in 11hours & 51 mins. He was 10th GB competitor in his age group and finished 55th out of 70 overall.


Agate wins at Waterlooville

Clive Agate continued his impressive build up to the National Championships by winning his age group at the Waterlooville Triathlon on Sunday 22nd July 2001.

Clive completed the 600m swim, 40k bike and 10k run in 12.41, 61.51 & 44.49 to give him an overall winning time of 2.09.21.

Over 216 athletes took part, Clive was 33rd overall.

 

Synergie sisters at National Series

Leah Austin, Team Synergie's newest & youngest athlete competed at her first triathlon at Marlborough Childrens Triathlon on Saturday 21st July 2001. Leah raced over 150m swim, a 2k off road cycle and a 1200m off road run, completing the distances in 7.50, 10.07 and 9.25, finishing in an overall time of 29.22.

Amber Austin was competing the race, as the third race in the National Series. She raced over 300m swim, a 6k off road bike and a 2.4k off road run. Amber completed the disciplines in 5.04, 15.30 and 10.42, a total time of 32.32. She was 8th out of 22 competitors.

 

Inaugrual David Lloyd "Spin, splash & dash" 
Thursday 12th July 2001

A good team support for the first David Lloyd Ringwood Spin, splash and dash event.
Toby Hood, Graham Starmer, Pete Meteau and Di Newnham all took part in the 5k
bike, 400m swim and 5k run.
Toby won the event beating Graham into second place by about 2 minutes.
Pete finished in 6th and Di in 8th place.

Good social after the event and it may well be that a series of events arises from this.  

 

Synergie Two Top Ten at Shropshire

Clive Agate & Toby Hood made the journey to compete at Shropshire on Sunday 8th July 2001.
Clive was looking to use the race, to judge his form, prior to the Age Group
Championships in Manchester at the beginning of August.

For Toby it was part of his season's goal to achieve a National Ranking by completing, set races within the National Series. Toby improved his position within his age group once again, 24th at Bournemouth, 18th at Pembrokeshire, he finished in 2:09:48, 10th in his Age group & 63rd overall out of a field of 284 finishers.

Clive
continued to show that he is on the way to winning ways, he finished in 2:21:07, 2nd in his Age group & 148th overall.

The winning males time was 1:55   

Nationwide Weekend Warriors

A busy weekend for various team members.


Amber Austin
had a long journey up to compete at The Wirral Mini Triathlon on
Saturday 30th June 2001.
This was the second race in the National Series and produced a much stronger field of athletes than the previous race in Kent.

Amber found herself in the unusual position of being in last place after the swim, however a real gutsy race saw her take back two places during the bike leg and pull another one back on the run. Needless to say she could not have raced any harder.
Her times were 4.49 for 300m swim, 11.29 for 6k bike & 6.48 for 2k run, a total of 25.41.


Toby Hood
also turned journeyman on Saturday 30th June, travelling to
Pembroke Triathlon.
One of the races in the National Series.

A mass swim start of 300 competitors proved to be a bit of a rough and tumble
with Toby getting his goggles kicked off, fortunately he had placed his swim
hat on top and was able to retrieve them. A strong wind caused difficulties on both the bike and run, however Toby finished 30th out of 265 finishers in a time of 2.20.33. He was 18th in his age group of 117 competitors. His times for 1500m/40k/10k were approximately 26.18mins,1hr16 and 38mins.    
 

Sunday 1st July saw Clive Agate, Peter Rabjohn & Graham Starmer at
Marlborough Triathlon.
     
The race consisted of a 400m swim and a tough, uphill 20 mile bike and 5 mile run.
The athletes all had a good showing, out of the 207 finishers, Pete was 13th overall and 5th in his age group in a time of 1.33.46.

Graham was 27th overall and 8th in his age group in a time of 1.37.04.
Clive  was 34th overall and won his age group in a time of 1.38.40  
The overall winning male time was 1.24.32

 

Weymouth 1/2 Ironman Triathlon Sunday 24th June 2001

Kev James was the only athlete to race the Weymouth 1/2 Ironman event on Sunday 24th June 2001. The event's timing and good weather meant that there was a much stronger field than last year with athletes preparing for the Long Course World

Championships in six weeks time.

Kev completed the 1.2 mile swim, 52 mile bike and 13.1 mile run in 5.01.37, he was 126th out of the 240 male competitors that finished the race, 25th out of 36 athletes in his age group.

The winning male time was 4 hours and 9 seconds.

Bournemouth International Triathlon Sunday 3rd June 2001

Over 750 athletes came to Bournemouth on Sunday 3rd June 2001 to compete in the standard distance race over 1500m/40k/10k. The race was the last chance to qualify for the World Championships, as well as being the Army National Championship race and one of the British Prestige races, consequently as well as a large field, a number of quality athletes were there.

The race was well supported by Team Synergie with three athletes assisting the race organiser, Julian Allen, Kev James & Nick Wooller. Equally three of the team were involved in the race, those being Clive Agate, Toby Hood and Peter Rabjohn.

The flat cold sea and warm day meant that racing conditions were near perfect. Toby was off first, his age group racing with the elite wave. A good swim, solid bike and strong run saw him complete the race in 2:10:34. He was 24th in his age group and 113th out of 630 competitors.

Peter
was off in the same wave as Toby, however having lost time to him on the swim and bike, Pete left himself too much to do on the run, finishing in 2:19:10, he was 60th in his age group and 254th overall. 

Clive
completed his first standard race in over two years. A steady swim, solid bike and good run saw him move through the field to a finish time of 2:24:14. Clive was 12th out of the 36 in his age group and 343rd overall. 

All the athletes finished ahead of competitors that were racing for World Qualification places.

   Poole Festival of Running Sunday 3rd June 2001

Almost 1100 competitors took part in the Poole 10k race on Sunday afternoon. A hot day made racing conditions ideal.Di Newnham was the sole team representative in the race completing the two
lap course in 48.53, finishing 63rd out of 245 females.

Prior to the adults 10k race,there were a series of races for younger athletes. In the female 8 to 9 Age Group an upcoming athlete was racing, Leah Austin ran a mile in 8.22, finishing 53rd out of a field of 144 athletes. Watch out Amber.    

Toby Tested at University Championships

At the University Championships in Bath on Sunday 27th May 2001, Toby Hood was up against a strong field of athletes, including a large proportion from the high performance units at Bath & Loughborough Universities. 

A good swim put Toby ins a strong place, however the testing bike route took it's toll on most of the athlete's times, following which Toby had a strong run to finish in 2.20. It is fair to say that he couldn't have raced any harder. He was 28th in the University Championships out of a field of 76, overall he 
was 36th out of 205 competitors. 

Amber does well at Deal
At the first of the National Milk Series races at Deal on Saturday 26th May 2001, Amber started her triathlon season. It was difficult to judge the race as the wave of 30 females athletes were split into two seperate swim starts. However in her wave Amber came out the swim in 10th place, biked up into 6th and ran herself into 2nd. At the end of the race Amber had given it her all. Overall Amber finished in 6th place. A positive start in obtaining a good National ranking. 


Netley 10k Sunday 20th May 2001


A large field of over 250 athletes had good weather at the Netley 10k. 
Julian Allen
 having his first race since Ironman Austria, finished in 40.16, he
just pipped Clive Agate  who came in on 40.18, after a blistering first 6K.

Di Newnham
set her best time in over 5 years, of 48.45.   


Busy Weekend for Synergie Athletes

Amber Austin started her weekend with a Personal Best of 5.15.6 in the 1500m at the Dorset County Championships at Kings Park Athletic Stadium, Bournemouth, on Saturday 12th May 2001,  finishing 3rd in the female Under 15 race. She followed this on Sunday 13th May by taking 3rd place in the 800m in a time of 2.33.3.


Meanwhile across at the Dorchester Triathlon, Toby Hood, Peter Rabjohn and Nick Wooller were the 2nd Mens Team. The 400m swin, 15 mile bike and 5 mile run had over 200 entrants with the winning male time being 1:08:52. Toby was 10th overall and 3rd in his age group in a time of 1:13:54, Peter and Nick were given the identical time of 1:15:01. Peter was 14th overall and 3rd in his age group, Nick was 15th overall and 4th in his age group. Proving that not all coaches just talk about it, Di Newnham raced, finishing in a time of 1:40:29. The winning female time being 1:20:42 Excellent individual and team performances from all the athletes concerned.


Wooller takes Hart     
Nick Wooller
follows up his third place at Winchester last week and  wins his age group at Hart Triathlon on Monday 7th May 2001. Nick completed the 400m swim, 20k bike and 5k run in 1:07:10.


Peter Rabjohn raced his first triathlon of the season, he has spent most of the winter preparing for the London Marathon, but showed that he had lost none of his speed.Pete finished 16th out of 108 competitors in his age group in a time of 1:06:06.

The winning male time was 59 minutes

Synergie Pair's Podium Places.
At Winchester Triathlon on Sunday 29th April approximately 150 athletes braved the cold, wet & wind to race over 400m/20miles/6miles. Following on from his mid-week cycling success, when he won the local 10 mile time-trial, Nick Wooller finished 3rd in his age group, he was 30th overall
in a time of 1:46:27.

However not to be outdone Clive Agate won his age group in a time of 1:51:56. Overall he was 45th. The men's winning time was 1:30:59.    




Amber Austin done Deal
At the Deal Spring Aquathlon on Sunday 15th April, Amber Austin convincingly beat a strong field to win the race. Finishing the 200m swim in 3.14, she was in 4th position, before running the 2.4 km, beating not only all the other female competitors but also all the males. There was great camaraderie amongst the athletes at the end of the race.

Austin starts National Series in fine form
Amber Austin finished second in her age group at the Thruxton Duathlon on Sunday 8th April 2001. The 13 year old led the first 2k run before commencing the 7k bike leg. Despite having a stronger and faster bike leg than last year, she came into T2 in third place before having a great second 1k run, where she ran herself up into a podium position.

The race was the first in the National Milk Series, as well as featuring in the Southern Regions series.


Wiltshire wins 1st race of his season

Harry Wiltshire proved his early season sharpness by winning the Burnham on Sea Duathlon on Sunday 25th March 2001.

He swam 750m in 9.25 before heading out on a 5k run. Harry was caught at the
halfway mark but kicked again to finish the run in 19.36, giving him a winning time of 29.01.


A good start to the season.

 

OLD STUFF

It has to be said that the athletes had a successful season during 2000.

During the season they raced throughout the UK, at most of the major Championship races, Lazarote, Denmark, Austria and France. Over all distances from sprint to Ironman.

Julian Allen completed his first Ironman, at Austria, in a very respectable time of under 11.30hrs. This was his main focus for the year. For 2001 Julian will be racing at Weymouth 1/2 Ironman in June before taking his place at the National Long Course Championship Race at Llanberis in September.

Kev James raced Ironman Lanzarote matching his previous best time there that he set five years ago. He was also part of our team that won the Sprint Relays at Cotswold. He will be racing for Great Britain, at the Long Course World Championships in Denmark in 2001.

Pete Meteau comepeted at Ironman Denmark, setting a personal best time. Pete will also be part of a strong showing by Team Synergie at the Weymouth 1/2 Ironman in June 2001.

Dave Pratten also raced at Ironman Denmark, matching his personal best on a much tougher course. Dave will also be racing at Weymouth 1/2 Ironman, this year.

Pete Rabjohns mainly raced locally, following the birth of his daughter and consistently finished top 10. He was one of the successful Sprint Relay team. Pete's running pedigree speaks for itself, however this year he also intends testing himself over the longer distances, he will be there at Weymouth in June.

Andy Staff completed his first season by finishing 16th overall in the five race New Forest series, as well as being the third member of the Sprint Relay team. For 2001 Andy intends building on last years experiences and consolidating his New Forest standing.

Richard Tavinor raced consistently throughout the year, staying mainly on the South Coast. 2001 will see Richard race locally under the team banner.

Nick Wooler also raced mainly along the South Coast in 2000, trying to do at least a race a weekend, looking at his schedule. He maintains this manic schedule in 2001, racing almost every distance, every weekend.

Unfortunately Clive Agate and Dave Cook spent most of the season recovering from injury. That said both are coming back with a vengance. Clive will be looking to the Age Group Championship in Manchester, whereas Dave will race along the South Coast.

Toby Hood is one of the new team members for 2001, he was one of only 70 athletes invited for a National Squad Assessment Weekend at the beginning of the year and has come back fired up, ready to make his mark in his 1st year as a Senior Athlete. Bournemouth in June will be his first major race, and the season will culminate at the Age Group Championships in Manchester.

Harry Wiltshire, another new face and again another athlete invited to the national Squad Assessment weekend. Harry is a Junior athlete who, quite sensibly, is putting his schoolwork ahead of his races. That said expect to see him at Junior Championship and Age Group Championship races this year

Amber Austin, is the youngest Team athlete, however her age belies a wealth of talent and experience. This will be Amber's first full triathlon season and she will be racing the national Children's Series. She was also invited to the Squad Assessment weekend.

Grayham Starmer also joined us for the 2001 season, adding depth to the Seniors. Graham has worked hard through the winter and will be another Team member racing at both Weymouth and Llanberis.