The 2009-2010 USA Swimming Grand Prix concluded in Los Angeles on July 11, with Chloe Sutton crowned the overall Grand Prix Series High Point winner, collecting a total of $20, 000 in prize money. 

The Grand Prix series consists of eight meets, beginning in Minneapolis on November 13, 2009, with the Los Angeles meet added to the calendar for the first time this year.

The Los Angeles meet was held at the University of Southern California from July 8-11.

Ms Sutton, who was a member of 2008 USA Olympic swimming team, put in an overwhelmingly dominant performance throughout this Grand Prix series, winning a total of sixteen gold medals, six silver and one bronze, earning a total of 99 points.

Her win is even more remarkable considering Ms Sutton did not compete in the Santa Clara meet of the Grand Prix series.

The race for second and third place in the Grand Prix series was much tighter, with Dagny Knuston coming in second place with a total of six gold medals and seven silver, earning 52 points and managing to narrowly defeat Dana Vollmer, who came in third place with a total of nine gold medals as well as one silver and bronze, earning 49 points.

Three meet records fell on day four of competition in Los Angeles, with Dana Vollmer setting a new record in the women’s 100m butterfly with a time of 57.39.

Rebecca Soni set a new record in the women’s 100m butterfly with a time of 1:06.23 and Kosuke Kitajima also established a new record for the men’s 100m butterfly, finishing the event with a time of 1:00.02.

Mr Kitajima also set a new meet record in day three of the meet in the men’s 200m breaststroke with a time of 2:11.14

On Day 3 of the Los Angeles meet, Katie Hoff shattered a ten year record in the women’s 400m freestyle, which had been set by Claudia Poll in 2000.

Ms Hoff completed the women’s 400m freestyle with a time of 4:06.21, which was almost three seconds faster than the record set by Poll, which was 4:09.04

And finallykick-started the Los Angeles meet with a bang by setting a new meet record (8:31.05) in the prelims of the women’s 800m freestyle

On day two, Ziegler followed up this performance by managing to shatter her own record in the finals of the women’s 800m freestyle, with a time of 8:25.89, which beat the record she had just set on day one by five seconds

BLK1 Article: [Justin Macdonald] BLK1 Photographer: [PETER SOLLNER OR OTHER PHOTOGRAPHER]

Images and Article:

Today in Port Macquarie, Patrick Vernay (New Caledonia) and Chrissie Wellington (UK) took the honours once again at the Country Energy Ironman Australia Triathlon. For Vernay, this marks a hat-trick of wins in Port Macquarie, while Wellington was able to successfully defend her inaugral 2008 title- and she keeps her perfect Ironman record six wins from six races intact.

After a week plagued with the worst imaginable weather conditions, athletes arrived this morning to a transition area which can only be described as a mud bath. However in true Ironman spirit, there was a terrific atmosphere in the race village as athletes made their final preparations for race start.

Just before the professional field set off on their 3.8km swim, it was announced that the highly anticipated showdown between Michellie Jones and Chrissie Wellington would not come to fruition, as Jones had been struck with a virus which had forced her to make the last minute decision to withdraw.

A disappointed Jones said, “This was one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make. I discussed it with my coach, but it was ultimately my decision.” Jones said that she is still determined to complete an Ironman in Australia before she retires from the sport.

In spite of the severe weather and torrential rain which had been experienced in race week, conditions for the two-lap Hastings River swim were surprisingly good.

In a first for Ironman Australia, the professional field were given a 35 minute ‘head start’ over the 1,400-strong age group contingent. This initiative proved to be a huge success, providing the professionals with clear water and road for the majority of the day.

As expected, Pete Jacobs immediately set to work, establishing an early lead on the 3.8km swim. By the mid-point turnaround, he had a clear 10 metre lead over a group which included Cam Watt, Mathias Hecht, Tim DeBoom, Rene Goehler and Simon Thompson. They were closely followed by another group which included the three lead women – Chrissie Wellington, Rebekah Keat and Sarah Pollett.

Jacobs exited the water in the super-fast time of 47:51. About 20 seconds behind came Goehler, Hecht, Thompson, Watt and DeBoom, and it was then a further couple of minutes to the main chase group which included defending champion Patrick Vernay, Tim Berkel, Josh Rix and Jimmy Johnsen. Mitch Anderson and Jason Shortis both emerged several minutes behind the leaders, setting themselves a massive challenge on the bike course.

Wellington just led the women out of the swim, however she had Pollett and Keat hot on her heels. Switzerland’s Caroline Steffen was just under two minutes further back.

Once on the bike course, the men’s race really started to take shape. The original lead group from the swim maintained their lead in the early stages, however by the 50km mark they had been joined by the chase group which included Vernay, Berkel, Johnson and DeBoom. Anderson loomed some seven minutes back.

About a quarter of the way in to the ride, Cameron Watt (winner of the 2008 Scody Port Macquarie Half Ironman) set his intentions by riding away from the group. He was able to extend his lead to as much as two minutes by the 90km mark, however in the final stages of the ride he was joined by local Port Macquarie athlete Adam Holborow. Watt responded by making a final surge as he approached the Ironman Village for the final time on the bike, and he was able to lead the charge in to the ride-run transition.

A tiring Holborow closely followed Watt into the run, however right behind him was a group of some ten athletes, including pre-race favourites Vernay, Berkel, DeBoom, Jacobs and Hecht.

Incredibly, Wellington had been able to ride right up with some of the leading men, and by the time she completed the 180km bike course, she had established a lead of over ten minutes on her closest rival, Rebekah Keat.

By the time the athletes headed back past the race village (approximately 7km into the run), the race had really started heating up. Vernay was running side-by-side with Berkel, setting the Port Macquarie “Team Berkel” support squad wild with excitement.

Approaching the half way mark, Vernay finally surged and was able to shake off Berkel. However he was still not to have the race all his own way, as meanwhile Jacobs had been steaming his way through the race leaders. He took the lead at the 35km mark, and for a while it appeared that an Aussie would finally reclaim the Ironman Australia title.

Ultimately, however, Vernay’s experience paid off and he was able to surge back past Jacobs in the closing lap of the run to take his third consecutive win here in Port Macquarie. Jacobs held on for second place, with Berkel rounding out the podium in a personal best time on the Port Macquarie course.

For Vernay, today’s victory was particularly special given that he was able to fend off challenge after challenge from the likes of Berkel and Jacobs. “It was a strange race today”, he said. “Finally, I got out of the swim with some strong bikers. We were able to catch the main group, but then we rode quite slowly. I was able to keep fresh on the bike, so I knew I would have a good marathon. But I did not think that Tim Berkel would run so fast.”

Vernay commented on how mentally challenging it was to run alongside Berkel, as the home-town athlete was receiving so much support from the crowds lining the run course.

When asked how he felt about being first Australian and second overall finisher today, a typically understated Jacobs simply said “pretty good”. His goal today was to secure his spot for Hawaii, so mission was well and truly accomplished.

For Berkel, third place continues his progression at this race each year, and it seems only a matter of time before the 24 year old is able to capture his firsts home-town win; a sentiment echoed later by both Vernay and Jacobs.

While the men’s race was punctuated with many lead changes throughout the day, the women’s race was all about Chrissie Wellington. In spite of Keat being able to stay with her until the end of the swim, as soon as they hit the bike it was a one-woman show. Unbelievably, Wellington was the 11th professional to finish, completing the course in under nine hours – a first for any woman over the Port Macquarie Ironman course.

“I am so immensely proud of my race today. It is such a vindication of all the hard work and my desire and passion I have for this sport.” When asked if she had been concerned about the extreme weather leading in to the race, Wellington simply said “You deal with it. We’re Ironman athletes. You deal with what you’re given.” She then credited race organisers and volunteers on delivering such a successful event in such difficult circumstances.

TOP THREE PROFESSIONAL RESULTS

Position Overall Swim Bike Run
1. Patrick Vernay (New Caledonia) 8:24:53 50:51 4:46:27 2:47:35
2. Pete Jacobs (NSW) 8:29:03 47:51 4:49:23 2:51:49
3. Tim Berkel (NSW) 8:31:43 50:50 4:47:16 2:54:37

1. Chrissie Wellington (UK) 8:57:10 50:48 5:05:02 3:01:20
2. Rebekah Keat (Qld) 9:21:33 50:55 5:16:03 3:14:35
3. Caroline Steffen (Switzerland) 9:38:44 52:28 5:14:32 3:31:43

BLK1 Article: IRONMAN AUSTRALIA  BLK1 Photographer: DELLY CARR

> SUBSCRIBE TO BLK1 ONLINE SWIMSUIT MAGAZINE TODAY AND VIEW LARGER IMAGES FROM THIS ARTICLE AND ENJOY OTHER BENEFITS FROM THIS MONTHS EDITION. MANY ARTICLES HAVE ADDITION EXCLUSIVE BLK1 SUBSCRIBER IMAGES. PLEASE NOTE, IF NOTED IN THE ARTICLE THAT THIS ARTICLE IS A “PAY-PER-VIEW”, THEN YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MONTHLY BLK1 SUBSCRIBER TO PAY AND ACCESS IMAGES.

Image: © BLK1 2008 – 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Triumph the Insult Dog is a hand puppet that made his debut on the 1997 Conan O’Brien show – Late Night with Conan O’Brien. The man behind the puppet is Robert Smigel, and the humour is certainly an acquired taste. The puppet is incredibly crude and his jokes centre around ridiculing celebrities, or mocking bystanders involved in celebrity issues or events. One such encounter was at the Santa maria courthouse in 2005 for Michael Jackson’s trial where he innately yelled “No one knows yet if he’s innocent or guilty. But there’s one thing we do know…He’s guilty!.

The puppet has been featured in segments with Joan Rivers, Bon Jovi, Heather Lochlear and numerous other celebrities and TV personalities along with comedy events. Triumph was famously thrown out of the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston with Michael Moore, where the pair proceeded to harass organisers but were refused re-entry.

Americans have long been labelled as being unable to laugh at themselves, and this character is a satirical statement in reaction to this, hence his sparse popularity in the US. Consequentially, he abuses others but never pokes fun at himself. Lacking in this most endearing and likable form of humour leaves many viewers dissatisfied and unimpressed. It is little wonder that MTV removed Triumph’s segment from their re broadcasting of the MTV Video Music Awards.

BLK1 Article: CAILTLIN REID

 > SUBSCRIBE TO BLK1 ONLINE SWIMSUIT MAGAZINE TODAY AND VIEW LARGER IMAGES FROM PARTICULAR ARTICLES, READ MORE INFORMATION AND ENJOY OTHER BENEFITS FROM THIS MONTHS EDITION. PLEASE NOTE, IF NOTED IN THE ARTICLE THAT THIS ARTICLE IS A “PAY-PER-VIEW”, THEN YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MONTHLY BLK1 SUBSCRIBER TO PAY AND ACCESS IMAGES.

Article: © BLK1 2008-2009. All Rights Reserved.

This year’s Balmoral Swim attracted over 600 competitors from all over New South Wales. The event, which is held at Balmoral Beach just north of Sydney, has raised money for the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia since 2007.

In 2008, 713 competitors attended, raising over $30,000, and this year the charity has once again made a significant contribution, collecting over $22,000 for the cause so far.

The Alexander Patrick Hall Charity Cup is awarded to the individual and team who raises the most amount of money through the online fund. This year the award goes to team Clubaces, who have raised an astounding $13,863 to date, more than half of the total contribution. Nicholas Anderson was also recognised for his individual contribution of $2,145.

Several other awards and prizes are handed out to the winners of each race. The programme consists of a team relay, a 250m juniors team race, as well as a 150m open Dash for Glory.

But the curtain raiser for the event, the one kilometre race, was the main attraction. The long-distance harbour swim encouraged 602 starters to take to the chilled waters at 10am last Friday.  Eighteen-year-old Jake Nolan of Beacon Hill took out the race in just under 12 minutes. Kelly McCrae was the fastest of the women finishing in 8th place overall.

The Balmoral Beach Club, in co-operation with the Mosman council will be looking for an increased number of competitors and donators when the event is held once again next year.

BLK1 Article: ALI SULIO BLK1 Photographer: PETER SOLLNER

> > SUBSCRIBE TO BLK1 ONLINE SWIMSUIT MAGAZINE TODAY AND VIEW LARGER IMAGES FROM PARTICULAR ARTICLES, READ MORE INFORMATION AND ENJOY OTHER BENEFITS FROM THIS MONTHS EDITION. PLEASE NOTE, IF NOTED IN THE ARTICLE THAT THIS ARTICLE IS A “PAY-PER-VIEW”, THEN YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MONTHLY BLK1 SUBSCRIBER TO PAY AND ACCESS IMAGES.

Images and Article: © BLK1 2008-2009. All Rights Reserved.

Annabelle Luxford, Female winner, 2009 Australian Elite Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships

Brisbane’s Annabel Luxford launched her triathlon career comeback campaign
in style today, winning the Australian Triathlon Sprint Championships at
Hobart’s dockside today.

The former ITU world number one, led the race from start to finish, to take
the sprint crown in 1h3m41s. Trailing her by a fair margin was Barbara
Riveros-Diaz from Chile who crossed the line in 1h4m35s and third was
Brisbane’s Sarah Cowley (1hr 5m40s).

It was a rewarding win for Luxford whose career has been hampered by injury
and has seen her spend the last year sidelined with a stress fracture to her
foot. Back training under Shaun Stephens, the 26 year old looked
particularly strong today in the swim and bike, and was thrilled with the
victory.

Annabelle Luxford, Female winner, 2009 Australian Elite Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships

Luxford’s glory year was 2005 when she was world number one and took a
silver in the world championships, but 2006 to 2008 have been lean years
with a 5th at the Commonwealth Games and the disappointment of injury
damming her Beijing ambitions. The law student is hoping today’s victory
kicks off her journey to the 2012 Olympics.

“I had no idea how I would go before the race. I am glad to be back and to
win an Australian title, is always extra special,” said Luxford.

“I was a little nervous, all these young kids are here, and I thought a
little intimidated,” said Luxford whose domination of the race where she won
by nearly a minute, showed she had no need for concern.

The next major races on the Australian triathlon race calendar are the
Oceania / Luke Harrop Memorial Championship on the Gold Coast on March 1 (to
be run on the course to be used for the world championships in September ) ,
followed by Australian Triathlon Championships for the longer Olympic
distance in Perth on March 15.

RESULTS:

Australian Triathlon Sprint Championships WOMENS Hobart – Sunday February 15 2009:

1. Annabel Luxford (Brisbane – QLD)
1h 3m41s

2. Barbara Riveros-Diaz (Chile)
1h4m35s

3. Sarah Crowely (Brisbane – QLD)
1h5m40s

BLK1 Article: TRIATHLON AUSTRALIA BLK1 Photographer: DELLY CARR

BLK1 Pay-Per-View Back Issue Article

THIS ARTICLE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO MONTHLY BLK1 SUBSCRIBERS. HOWEVER REGISTER NOW AS A “FREE” BLK1 MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBER, LOGIN, RETURN TO THIS POST AND PAY A SMALL FEE TO READ/VIEW THIS BLK1 BACK ISSUE ARTICLE.  FEE WILL BE SHOWN WHEN LOGGED IN AS A FREE BLK1 MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBER. 

Article: © TRIATHLON AUSTRALIA 2008. All rights reserved.

Image: © BLK1 2008. All Rights Reserved.

Courtney Atkinson, Male winner, 2009 Australian Elite Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships

Defending champion, the Gold Coast’s Courtney Atkinson, has once again won
the Australian Triathlon Sprint Championships beating home rival Brisbane’s
Dan Wilson in a stunning sprint to the line in Hobart this afternoon.

In amazing finish, it was an exact repeat of the 2008 championship final,
right down to the time margin split of a mere second. As they pushed each
other to victory, Atkinson broke the tape in 55m30s with the 23 year old
Wilson a hair’s breadth behind in 55m31s. Teenager, 19 year old Josh
Amberger from Brisbane, who led the national field of 19 men out of the
opening 750m swim leg, finished 3rd.

The 20km bike leg saw a pack of nine tick off with precision the eight lap
course, from Hobart’s dockside to Battery Point, before entering transition,
when the real race began.

The experienced Atkinson darted from transition but Wilson was determined
not to let him go, and shot out behind him. The two ran neck at neck at 3
minute run pace over the 5km city street leg, racing for the last kilometre
as if they were in a final sprint. Despite surges from the two to try and
breakaway, the race came down the final 50 metres, when Atkinson in a final
lunge secured victory.

It was Atkinson’s fourth national sprint title and for the Beijing Olympian,
the win kicked off his 2009 campaign in style. But it was a race for
Atkinson to even get to the start line. His flight from the Gold Coast was
cancelled last night, and the Gold Coaster took a Sunday morning plane that
saw him land in Hobart just two hours before the race and at the race
precint, 10 minutes before the start gun.

Courtney Atkinson, Male winner, 2009 Australian Elite Sprint Distance Triathlon Championship

“I loved that today,” said an elated Atkinson after the win. “I loved the
pace of the race and the battle with Dan. It was worth coming here for
that, and in fact it was very worthwhile for me to have to race at such pace
and with such intensity.

“It is very very early in the season for me and I have only been training
for about a month. It was a lot of hard work, the pace was on and it was
probably a bit above what I am doing, but it was a good start.

“You know, there’s always a little doubt in your mind, and with a hundred
metres today, there was a big doubt!!

“But the years of experience, the hard racing, got me home. I like being in
those situations, but Dan should be proud of himself, he’s improved a lot .”

For Wilson, it was a disappointment to come in 2nd again, but rewarding to
know he was keeping pace with the world class Atkinson.

“It was close again, another really exciting finish, but he (Atkinson)
didn’t flinch,” said Wilson.

“I was so close, but so far. You know I think it would have been easier to
lose by 30 seconds, but that is racing.”

RESULTS:
Australian Triathlon Sprint Championship – MENS Hobart – Sunday February 15 2009:
1. Courtney Atkinson (Gold Coast – QLD)
55m 30 s
2. Daniel Wilson (Brisbane – QLD)
55m 31s
3. Josh Amberger (Brisbane – QLD)
56m 09s

BLK1 Article: TRIATHLON AUSTRALIA BLK1 Photographer: DELLY CARR

BLK1 Pay-Per-View Back Issue Article

THIS ARTICLE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO MONTHLY BLK1 SUBSCRIBERS. HOWEVER REGISTER NOW AS A “FREE” BLK1 MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBER, LOGIN, RETURN TO THIS POST AND PAY A SMALL FEE TO READ/VIEW THIS BLK1 BACK ISSUE ARTICLE.  FEE WILL BE SHOWN WHEN LOGGED IN AS A FREE BLK1 MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBER. 

Article: © TRIATHLON AUSTRALIA  2008. All rights reserved.

Image: © BLK1 2008. All Rights Reserved.

Ross O'Brien Shooting

On February 6th Wests Magpies began their defence of the men’s National Water Polo League crown in rusty fashion with a 14-10 loss to Victorian Tigers at the University of New South Wales.

Despite a 2-0 lead, Wests had lost the advantage by quarter time and always had to play catch-up, only twice coming within a goal in the last three periods.

For the Tigers it was back to winning after a draw with Hunter Hurricanes the night before and it saw the Tigers’ United States import, Miles Price, to the fore with four goals.
The Tigers women suffered their first defeat in three matches against a spirited UNSW Killer Whales outfit, going down 13-8.

Lea Barta Goal Keeping

The supreme efforts of goalkeeper Lea Barta and five-goal heroine Ali Gronow put paid to the Tigers’ game plan. For Gronow it was bittersweet, scoring against her former club for the first time.

In Brisbane, the KFC Breakers racked up two wins over the Adelaide Jets with the men romping home 15-5 and the women 12-10.

In the women’s encounter, Sydney Olympic gold medallist Naomi McCarthy scored three goals in a comeback to the NWPL for the Breakers while Adelaide’s goals came from eight different players.

Lauren Machanis Goal Keeping

The next day, World Cup and Commonwealth champion Fiona Hammond turned on the power for her Sydney University Lions team in National Water Polo League action at the Sydney University Lions vs. Hunter Hurricanes game on February 7.

Hammond scored six goals as her team thumped Hunter Hurricanes 18-9, thus starting its campaign with a victory.

It was a tough opening half with the Lions holding a two-goal lead at quarter time but only a 6-5 margin at halftime with Hammond scoring four.
A 7-2 third period was the difference with the Lions swimming away with the match.
Younger sister Melissa Hammond was also on fire with four goals, including a hat-trick in the third period.

Kate Lee Williams

The Sydney Uni and Hunter men’s teams battled to an 8-all draw.
The Victorian Tigers turned the tables on the University of New South Wales Killer Whales with an 11-8 decision following Thursday’s 13-8 win for the Killer Whales.

Also on February 7, Reigning men’s champions Wests Magpies suffered a second defeat to the Victorian Tigers, falling 10-2 after Thursday’s 14-10.
In Brisbane, the KFC Breakers men went on a goal fest against the Adelaide Jets with a 20-3 result, thanks to Billy Miller’s six-goal haul — five in the first half as the Breakers led 10-1.

The Breakers women had to fight for a 10-8 win after leading 10-6 with four minutes remaining. Kate Miller topped the scoring with four goals for the home team.

RESULTS:

6th February 2009:
Men:
Sydney: Victorian Tigers 14 (M Price 4, R Moody 3, S Lewis 2, L Gavin, J Gilchrist, J Disken, I Lark, J Woods) Wests Magpies 10 (W Eames 3, D Swinnerton, S Cody 2, R O’Brien, C Eames, M Toldonato).
Brisbane: KFC Breakers 15 (D Will, B Miller 3, A Martin, G Waterman, S Robertson 2, T Knox, J Votan, M Birch) Adelaide Jets 5 (L Northcote 2, L Vezzosi, T Dayman, A Martin).
Women:
Sydney: UNSW Killer Whales 13 (A Gronow 5, K Moran 3, A Carter 2, S Grunberger, N Jackson, Liu Ping) Victorian Tigers 8 (A Van Ommen, E Rosato 2, L Webster, EJ Grahame, R Webster, M Jacka).
Brisbane: KFC Breakers 12 (S Mills 4, K Miller, N McCarthy 3, C Grayson, E Bowden) Adelaide Jets 10 (I Bishop, L Callahan 2, C Murphy, M Hatcher, J Martin, S Murphy, K Green, D Wawrzinski).
7th February 2009:
Men:
Brisbane: KFC Breakers 20 (B Miller 6, A Martin 4, G Waterman 3, A Rotsey, S Robertson 2, D Streets, M Wilson, T Jenkins) Adelaide Jets 3 (J McKown, L Northcott, G Bretag-Norris).
Sydney: Victorian Tigers 10 (J Gilchrist, S Lewis 2, R Sinclair, L Gavin, M Gronow, K Smith, J Woods, M Price) Wests Magpies 2 (S Cody, T Blewitt), Sydney University Lions 8 Hunter Hurricanes 8 (scorers unavailable).
Women:
Brisbane: KFC Breakers 10 (K Miller 4, S Horgan 3, E Bowden 2, S Farquhar) Adelaide Jets 8 (L Callahan 3, S Ricketts 2, J Martin, I Bishop, D Wawrzynski).
Sydney: Victorian Tigers 11 (EJ Grahame, A Van Ommen, R Webster, K Dowrick 2, K Frazer, M Jacka. E Rosato) UNSW Killer Whales 8 (K Mirabito 3, A Gronow, A Carter 2, Liu Ping).

BROWSE BACK TO BLK1 FOR MORE NATIONAL WATER POLO LEAUGE ACTION

BLK1 Article: AUSTRALIAN WATER POLO INCORPORATED

BLK1 Photographer:PEARSE PHOTOGRAPHY

BLK1 Pay-Per-View Back Issue Article

THIS ARTICLE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE TO MONTHLY BLK1 SUBSCRIBERS. HOWEVER REGISTER NOW AS A “FREE” BLK1 MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBER, LOGIN, RETURN TO THIS POST AND PAY A SMALL FEE TO READ/VIEW THIS BLK1 BACK ISSUE ARTICLE.  FEE WILL BE SHOWN WHEN LOGGED IN AS A FREE BLK1 MAGAZINE SUBSCRIBER. 

Article: © 2008. All rights reserved.

Image: © BLK1 2008. All Rights Reserved.