Findlay and Whitfield take honours at the 2010 Canadian National Triathlon Championships and ITU Kelowna Pan American Cup
August 22, 2010

Kelowna, BC – Pre-race favourites Paula Findlay and Simon Whitfield were crowned Canada’s 2010 National triathlon and ITU Pan American Cup champions in Kelowna this weekend. The Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon hosts both the Canadian National Triathlon Championships and the ITU Kelowna Pan American Cup, featuring two races in one.

It was by no means an easy win for Whitfield, coming in just twenty hundredths of a second ahead of teammate Kyle Jones. Marcus Fernandes of Brazil followed Whitfield and Jones in third position in the ITU Kelowna Pan American Cup, which featured 66 athletes from eight countries. A split second seems to be the way it goes with the Elite Men’s race. In 2009 Jones finished behind Whitfield, just ten hundredths of a second ahead of Paul Tichelaar.

Since only Canadians can place in the National Championships, Andrew Russell’s sixth place overall, placed him in third place for Elite Male in the National Championships.

The young women proved their mettle this weekend. The first three places overall in the ITU Kelowna Pan American Cup were taken by U23’s. 21-year old Findlay was followed by Kirsten Sweetland of Canada and Flora Duffy of Bermuda. The race included 26 women from six countries. Chantal Widney, fourth overall, placed as third Elite Woman in the Canadian Championships.

Within the U23 category of the Male Elite event of the Canadian National Championships, Yanik Leduc placed first, with Jean-Phillipe ThiBodeau second and Tyler Bredschneider third. The female U23 category was taken by Paula Findlay, Kirsten Sweetland in second and Sarah-Anne Brault third.

The Canadian Triathlon Championships include the Age Group Sprint and Olympic distance, with the same distances for paratriathletes. For detailed results please consult the Race Headquarters website, the official timekeepers for this event on http://www.raceheadquarters.com/results/multi_2010.htm With more than 1,800 event entries for the three-day event and close to 1,200 volunteers, the Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon is not only the largest Canadian triathlon, but also one of the best organized events in Canada, comparing favourably with several leading world triathlon events. It offers races for all ages and stages, from Kids of Steel to the Try-a-Tri, the business challenge relay, competitive age-groupers, and of course, peaking with the Male and Female Elites.

The Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon was the final preparation for Canada’s Elite and Age group athletes who will be participating in the ITU Triathlon World Championships in Budapest this September.

Triathlon Canada is the governing body for triathlon in the country. Recognized as an Olympic medal sport since 2000, Triathlon Canada’s mandate is to promote, foster, organize and develop the sport of triathlon, and its related disciplines, in Canada. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit us at www.triathloncanada.com on the Internet.

Results

Canadian National Championships: Elite Men

1) Simon Whitfield 1.55.40.40; 2) Kyle Jones 1.55.40.60; 3) Andrew Russell 1.58.19.70

Canadian National Championships: Elite Women

1) Paula Findlay 2.02.37; 2) Kirsten Sweetland 2.03.25; 3) Chantal Widney 2.07.02

Canadian National Championships: U23 Men

1) Yanik Leduc 2.01.29; 2) Jean-Philippe Thibodeau; 2.01.54 3) Tyler Bredschneider 2.02.21

Canadian National Championships: U23 Women

1) Paula Findlay 2.02.37; 2) Kirsten Sweetland 2.03.25; 3) Sarah-Anne Brault 2.09.28

ITU Kelowna Pan American Cup: Elite Men

1) Simon Findlay (CAN) 1.55.40.40; 2) Kyle Jones (CAN) 1.55.40.60; 3) Marcus Fernandes (BRA) 1.56.26.40

ITU Kelowna Pan American Cup: Elite Women

1) Paula Findlay (CAN) 2.02.37 2) Kirsten Sweetland (CAN) 2.03.25 3) Flora Duffy (BER) 2.04.47

Junior Elites winners in the 2010 Canadian National Triathlon Championships
August 21, 2010

KELOWNA, BC— Victoria’s Matt Sharpe won the 2010 Junior Elite Male race at the Canadian National Triathlon Championships, hosted by the Kelowna Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon. Sharpe was followed by Taylor Reid of Caledon in second position and Alexander Hinton of Kingston in third. Sharpe, who’s been doing triathlon for 9 years, first participated in the Kelowna Apple Triathlon’s Kids of Steel when he was 11 years old. “This is just an awesome race; the weather was perfect and the volunteers amazing. This is the best put on race in Canada and I think everybody should do it”, was his comment after the race. Sharpe moves on to compete at World Championships in Budapest in September.

The Junior Elite Female race saw Joanna Brown of Carp, scooping up first position ahead of Dominika Jamnicky of Port Hope. They were followed in third place by Ellen Pennock of Calgary. Last year’s winner, Hillary Wille, still in the lead after the bike leg, had to be satisfied with fourth position after the others proved too strong for her on the run.

Full detailed results of all events please consult the website of Race Headquarters, official timekeepers for this event on http://www.raceheadquarters.com/results/multi_2010.htm. Triathlon Canada is the governing body for triathlon in the country. Recognized as an Olympic medal sport since 2000, Triathlon Canada’s mandate is to promote, foster, organize and develop the sport of triathlon, and its related disciplines, in Canada.

Kelowna’s Apple promises world-class entertainment with Kids of Steel and Elite participants from 9 countries
August 20, 2010

KELOWNA, BC— There is an unmistakeable air of excitement in Kelowna. Starting with a superb concert by Bryan Adams on Thursday evening, the rest of the weekend will be filled with superb swimming, cycling and running when more than 1,800 event entrants pour into the streets of downtown Kelowna. The event is the 28th Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon, host of the Canadian National Triathlon Championships, ITU Triathlon Premium Pan American Cup and FINA Open Water Swims. Close to 1,200 volunteers will support the athletes through the three day event, if the last 100 positions can be filled for Sunday.

Starting at 11:30 am on Sunday from Tugboat beach, Canada’s young Elite star, Paula Findlay, hopes to lead a pack of 26 women from 6 countries in the Olympic distance event. Endurance will be tested with the men’s Elite event, starting in the midday heat at 1:45pm Sunday. Kelowna is privileged once again to have two-time Olympic medal winner, Simon Whitfield, expected to be up front with a record overall entry of 71 male Elites from 9 countries. This is the largest field of elite men ever assembled for a Canadian Championship, and one of the largest in the world this year on the ITU circuit.

Triathlon Canada is excited that so many Elite athletes from across Canada and around the world will compete in Kelowna this weekend. Kelowna’s hard-earned reputation as an outstanding triathlon destination has become well known throughout the industry, a solid testament to the outstanding job by the organizers and volunteers with excellent support from the City.

The build-up to the week-end starts Friday 5:45pm with the Aquathon, a 6.0km run-swim-run race, and the 1.5km Open water swim at 6:45 pm, both held at Tugboat Beach. Starting at 7:00 am on Saturday, the Try-a-Tri features dozens of courageous athletes, many taking part in their first ever triathlon. Kids of Steel in age group 8-19 follows the Try-a-Tri, to show the adults how much fun triathlon can really be. Then the Junior Elites get serious when they hit the water at 9:30 am. The FINA 5km Open Water swim at 10:30 am promises to be a nail-biting event, with English Channel swimmers Brent Hobbs and Rod Craig, Glenn Carlsen and many of the younger swimmers, doing everything they can to haul in last year’s overall winner, Jeanne Carlsen.

Sunday features the adult Age Group Sprint and Olympic races starting at 7:15am at Tugboat Beach. A record entry of seven paratriathletes competes for a place this year. As well, the 2010 Apple marks the first time that two paratriathletes have ever teamed up to compete at any level of triathlon. Brian Cowie and Meyrick Jones will show us how it’s done. The following positions need to be filled on Sunday:

• Bike Course - 45
• Run Course - 12
• Security - 10
• Take Down - 15
• Transition - 13
• Truck Driver - 5
• Chaperone - 4

Please contact the Volunteer Director today at volunteer@appletriathlon.com or call the KATS office at 250-763-5287. Road closures will also be in effect in certain areas. Please visit the Apple website at www.appletriathlon.com for all the details.

The event is being organized by the Kelowna Apple Triathlon Society (KATS), a non-profit society. Triathlon Canada is the governing body for triathlon in Canada. Recognized as an Olympic medal sport since 2000, Triathlon Canada’s mandate is to promote, foster, organize and develop the sport of triathlon and its related disciplines in Canada. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit www.triathloncanada.com

Paula Findlay strides ahead and the Kelowna Apple Triathlon records highest ever entries - volunteers still urgently needed
August 16, 2010

KELOWNA, BC.— Canada’s redheaded young champion, Paula Findlay, became the first woman triathlete to win back-to-back titles on the World Championship Series this year to win her second title of the season in Kitzbühel, Austria . Findlay will be searching for the golden hat trick on the World Championship Series when she competes in the Grand Final in Budapest, Hungary, September 8-12, 2010. The newly-claimed Canadian star will have one more race next weekend when she competes in the Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon, hosts of the Canadian Championships in Kelowna, August 22.

The event starts on Friday afternoon August 20 and ends on Sunday August 22 when the Elite and Age group races take place.

“Notwithstanding the difficult economy, the Kelowna Apple Triathlon has set yet another Canadian attendance record for the National Championships, breaking its own previous record of 1,603 by setting a new record of over 1,800 entrants this year. We have also increased our volunteer positions to 1,200 of which nearly 800 are filled,” says Richard Montgomery, president of the Kelowna Apple Triathlon Society (KATS), organizers of this race.

“Unlike many other national events of this size, we run the ‘Apple’, as it is fondly referred to, with the assistance of mainly volunteers. Many of these generous supporters have volunteered for several years. With less than a week to the start on Friday, August 20, we urgently need to fill approximately 400 more volunteer positions,” says Montgomery. “We would like to make an urgent appeal to young and old to please come and help.” According to Dave McCoubrey, volunteer director, assistance is specifically required with the following:

• on Friday: people to assist with set-up of the course and transition areas;
• on Saturday; volunteers are required as bike marshalls, bodymarkers, chaperones, set-up, take-down and water station attendants
• on Sunday: volunteers are required as bike marshalls, bodymarkers, chaperones, set-up, take-down and water station attendants, security, transition, truck drivers, and people to assist paratriathletes from the swim to the bike portion. A record number of eight paratriatletes will be competing in the event.

Get more info at www.appletriathlon.com. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit us at www.triathloncanada.com on the Internet.

Join us for the 2010 Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon – we have a race and place for everyone!

Finest Canadian triathletes to participate in 2010 Canadian National Triathlon Championships
August 11, 2010

Kelowna, BC – Some of Canada’s finest triathletes have confirmed their participation in the 28th Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon taking place on August 20 to 22 in Kelowna. Amongst them are 35-year-old Olympic silver medal winner Simon Whitfield of Victoria and 21-year-old Edmonton native Paula Findlay. Findlay finished third at the 2009 Under-23 World Championships and won the gold medal in the World Championship Triathlon Series race held in London, England in July this year.

Both Whitfield and Findlay are well acquainted with the streets of Kelowna and pristine waters of Okanagan Lake. Whitfield attended his first national championships in Kelowna in 1992 and won the 2009 Senior title, ahead of Kyle Jones and Paul Tichelaar. Findlay achieved a first ever hat-trick in 2008 winning the Junior, Under-23 and the Senior Canadian Triathlon Championships. After placing third in the Senior Elite race in 2009, she will certainly be looking at regaining the Senior title in 2010. Last year’s winner, Lauren Campbell (Groves) is unfortunately still nursing an injury and won’t be competing.

Whitfield will be chased by World Cup teammate Kyle Jones of Oakville, Ontario and Findlay can certainly expect to be challenged by another rising star in the sport of triathlon, Kirsten Sweetland of Victoria.

The Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon hosts the Canadian National Triathlon Championships for Sprint, Olympic, Paratriathlon and Elite, the ITU Pan American Cup, the Western Canadian Kids of Steel Youth Championships and the FINA Open Water Swims. It is also a qualifier for the 2011 Triathlon World Championships in Beijing.

The Apple has already attracted eight top Canadian paratriathletes. Amongst these are Meyrick Jones and Brian Cowie. This year's National Championships in Kelowna will be the fourth for Jones. He is a three-time National Champion paratriathlete and has competed at two World Championship races. As a below-knee amputee, Meyrick has trained and competed at the national and international level in Paratriathlon, Paracycling, and Paranordic Skiing. In 2010/2011 Meyrick will be acting as a guide for Brian Cowie, a visually impaired athlete, at various triathlons including the National Championships, Ironman Canada and the Ford Ironman World Championships. This weekend's race will mark the first time two paratriathletes have teamed up to compete at any level of triathlon.

Despite tougher economic times, the Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon has attracted over 1500 entries so far and entries are still being accepted. Sunday entrants are encouraged to register soon, as almost 1100 of the 1200 spots have already been taken. The number of volunteer positions has been increased to 1200, of which over 800 have already been filled. Anybody wanting to fill those last positions should contact the Volunteer Director soon at volunteer@appletriathlon.com or call the KATS office at 250-763-5287.

For more information on the weekend’s events, participating or volunteering, visit us at www.appletriathlon.com.

The event is being organized by the Kelowna Apple Triathlon Society (KATS), a non-profit society. Triathlon Canada is the governing body for triathlon in Canada. Recognized as an Olympic medal sport since 2000, Triathlon Canada’s mandate is to promote, foster, organize and develop the sport of triathlon and its related disciplines in Canada. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit www.triathloncanada.com

Overcoming challenges...one, two, three
August 10, 2010

Kelowna, BC – Kimberly Fawcett-Smith will be participating at the 2010 World Triathlon Championships being held in Budapest this September as a member of the Canadian National Paratriathlon Team. Kim has also chosen the Sprint Triathlon (Athletes with a Disability TRI2) during the Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon on August 20-22 as her last race before Budapest.

In addition to being part of the British Columbia Provincial Race Series, Kelowna hosts the Canadian National Triathlon Championships (Sprint, Olympic and Elites), the ITU Pan American Cup and the Western Canadian Kids of Steel Youth Championships as well as FINA Open Water Swims. The Apple is also a qualifier for the 2011 World Championships in Beijing.

We tracked down Kim and her husband Curtis just before Ironman Lake Placid. And then I found them on the internet. http://kimandcurtis.blogspot.com/

The couple obviously has a good sense of humour! Kim and Curtis are both Canadian military officers. Kim bikes and runs with a prosthetic leg. Curtis, an endurance athlete in his own right, is also Kim’s handler.

It’s been four years since they tragically lost their young son Keiran and Kim lost her leg. Curtis was called up 12 hours before the accident and heading off to the Congo. Kim was on standby to deploy and taking Keiran to his grandmother Jean who took care of him when they were both serving. In uniform, holding Keiran in her arms, an out of control vehicle crashed into them as they were waiting for roadside assistance after her car spun off the road in bad weather. Their lives changed irrevocably.

Kim started triathlons after her rehabilitation to help her maintain and increase her physical fitness. She took a very conscious decision “Life is an experience to be lived up too; not survived through.” And she has lived it up! Kim was the first Canadian soldier amputee to return to Afghanistan and serve in an operation in 2008. She placed third in the 2008 World Triathlon Championship in Vancouver, she climbed Kilimanjaro in March 2009 and the next adventure is to climb to Base Camp Everest and to do an Ironman Triathlon. Kim says ‘I am trail blazing. It’s a tough road though and I’m often alone. I am hoping I can inspire child amputees to come out and give triathlon a try. My tag line “Tri it On!”

There is certainly no stop to Kim and Curtis. We are looking forward to seeing them in Kelowna for the Apple and we will certainly be cheering her on in Budapest! One leg, two legs, three legs...GO!!!

To read more about Kim's adventures, visit her personal blog at Still Fit To Fight. To read more about Curtis' adventures, go to Ironguy.

Note: TriCanada has also set the following goal for the participation of Athletes with a Disability (AWAD): “With the view of gaining admittance into the Paralympic Games, to advocate on behalf of and increase the number of participants and opportunities for AWAD athletes.”

Apple Triathlon attracting international participants- more volunteers needed
August 3, 2010

The 28th Annual Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon, hosts of the Canadian National Triathlon Championships and ITU Pan American Cup is taking place on August 20-22.

Kelowna Apple Triathlon Society (KATS) president Richard Montgomery says, ‘We hope to see more than 1500 international, national and local event participants. We are excited to announce that eight professional athletes from Brazil have signed up already. We have approximately 370 volunteer positions for Saturday, August 21, and 640 for the event on Sunday August 22. We also need volunteers for course set-up on Friday, August 20.'

‘Although hundreds of volunteers have committed already we are still looking for hundreds of additional volunteers to step forward. We urgently need to have these positions filled and would really appreciate the support of all residents within the Okanagan Valley,’ says Montgomery.

Positions are available for bike and run marshalls, set-up, transition, truck drivers and body marking for both Saturday and Sunday. To volunteer please e-mail your details to volunteer@appletriathlon.com or contact the KATS office at 250-763-5287. For further information on volunteering or participating in the race visit our website on www.appletriathlon.com.

Just over 40 days to the Canadian Triathlon Nationals
July 7, 2010

There are just over 40 days left before Canada’s top triathletes descend on Kelowna for the 28th annual Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon (August 20-22) to participate in the Canadian National Triathlon Championships, the ITU Pan American Cup and the Western Canadian Kids of Steel Youth Championships. Last year’s event saw record participation of more than 1600 entries.

Lauren Groves and Simon Whitfield were the 2009 Canadian National Championship Elite gold winners and also winners of the ITU Pan American Cup. Whitfield came in ahead of Kyle Jones and Paul Tichelaar, with Brent McMahon in fourth position.

In the Female Elite event, Groves was followed by Kathy Tremblay with 21 year-old Paula Findlay, double winner in 2008 in the Junior Elite and Elite competitions, in third position.

Findlay is excelling in international triathlon circles, winning her first World Cup race in Mexico last month, and finishing fourth in the prestigious Hy-Vee World Cup race in Des Moines, Iowa two weeks ago. Findlay continued her excellent performance clocking a winning time of 2:03:37 on June 26, winning the ITU Pan American Cup Triathlon Race in Quebec.

Canada’s elite triathletes will be back in action on July 18 when the ITU World Championship Series resumes in Hamburg, Germany.

The Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon however caters for all ages and stages. Organizations can challenge each other in the Business Challenge Sprint Relay and swimmers have the opportunity to participate in the FINA 1.5km and 5km Open Water Swims.

For more information on participating or volunteering visit us at www.appletriathlon.com. Make sure you register early as Sunday entrants will be limited to the first 1200!

Triathlon Canada is the governing body for triathlon in Canada. Recognized as an Olympic medal sport since 2000, Triathlon Canada’s mandate is to promote, foster, organize and develop the sport of triathlon, and its related disciplines, in Canada. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit www.triathloncanada.com

Just over 50 days to the Canadian Triathlon Nationals
June 28, 2010

Kelowna, BC – There are just over 50 days left before Canada’s top triathletes descend on Kelowna for the 28th annual Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon (August 20-22) to participate in the Canadian National Triathlon Championships, the ITU Pan American Cup and the Western Canadian Kids of Steel Youth Championships. Last year’s event saw record participation of more than 1600 entries.

Lauren Groves and Simon Whitfield were the 2009 Canadian National Championship Elite gold winners and also winners of the ITU Pan American Cup. Whitfield came in ahead of Kyle Jones and Paul Tichelaar, with Brent McMahon in fourth position. In the Female Elite event, Groves was followed by Kathy Tremblay with 21 year-old Paula Findlay, double winner in 2008 in the Junior Elite and Elite competitions, in third position.

Findlay is excelling in international triathlon circles, winning her first World Cup race in Mexico last month, and finishing fourth in the prestigious Hy-Vee World Cup race in Des Moines, Iowa two weeks ago. Findlay continued her excellent performance clocking a winning time of 2:03:37 on June 26, winning the ITU Pan American Cup Triathlon Race in Quebec.

Canada’s elite triathletes will be back in action on July 18 when the ITU World Championship Series resumes in Hamburg, Germany.

For more information on participating or volunteering visit us at www.appletriathlon.com. Make sure you register early as Sunday entrants will be limited to the first 1 200!

Triathlon Canada is the governing body for triathlon in Canada. Recognized as an Olympic medal sport since 2000, Triathlon Canada’s mandate is to promote, foster, organize and develop the sport of triathlon, and its related disciplines, in Canada. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit www.triathloncanada.com

Call for volunteers for the Kelowna Apple Triathlon
June 18, 2010

Kelowna – The 28th annual Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon takes place on August 20-22. For the 3rd consecutive year, the Kelowna Apple Triathlon represents the Canadian National Championships and the ITU Pan American Cup. It is also a qualifier for the 2011 World Championships in Beijing.

The 2009 Apple Triathlon attracted more than 1500 local, national and international entries. This required the support of approximately 900 volunteers to fill all the positions for the race weekend.

Richard Montgomery, President of the Kelowna Apple Triathlon Society (KATS), says: “We hope to have another record-entry year. A variety of volunteer positions are available including bike and run course marshals, set-up and take-down, security, body-marking, finish line duties and assistance to disabled athletes. We are also looking for Homestay families to host Elite athletes. Please get your family, neighbours, team or friends involved and help us make this a national success once again!“

For more details on volunteering, participating or being a sponsor please visit our website at www.appletriathlon.com. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact the Volunteer Director via e-mail at volunteer@appletriathlon.com or contact the KATS office at 763-5287 starting June 16.

Passionate volunteers are the backbone of the Kelowna Apple Triathlon
May 19, 2010

Kelowna – The Kelowna Apple Triathlon Society (KATS) is announcing the 28th annual Kelowna Apple Triathlon to take place on August 20-22, again with Pushor Mitchell as the title sponsor. For the 3rd consecutive year, the Kelowna Apple Triathlon will be hosting the Canadian National Championships, the ITU Pan American Cup and FINA Open Water Swims. The event weekend also includes a Business Challenge Relay in which teams swim 750m, bike 10km and run 5km. However, this race is not possible without the wonderful support of our volunteers!

Directors and other volunteers start planning for the next year immediately after the event. During race weekend, the more than 1200 local, national and international participants require approximately 900 volunteers to fill all the positions.

After the 2009 event, participants had many positive comments for Kelowna’s friendly and enthusiastic volunteers. One of them was Simon Whitfield: “The Apple Triathlon was my first Olympic distance race back in 1992. It remains, to this day, one of my favourites: held in a wonderful city, with great people, incredible scenery and with the generous support of the city, the people of Kelowna and the incredible volunteers. The National Team along with triathletes from all across Canada can't wait to get to Kelowna, enjoy the sunshine, spend some money!!!! and go home to rave about your wonderful home in the Okanagan.”

Greg Peters, head of the 2009 Triathlon Officials team for the National Championships said, “ I want to let you know that the event on the weekend was one of the best I've ever attended in Canada in more than 12 years of doing this. The Apple is the premier Olympic distance event in Canada. I hope you are as proud of the event, directors, volunteers, and success as I am to have played a role at it. Your directors and hundreds of volunteers are all first-rate. I have heard countless positive comments from athletes, coaches and officials about how excellent the event was, how helpful the volunteers were, and how much they enjoyed being in Kelowna for a few days in August. Everyone has said they will be back. Please pass my congratulations and thanks on to everyone.”

Richard Montgomery, President of the Kelowna Apple Triathlon Society (KATS), says: “A variety of volunteer positions are available including bike and run course marshals, set-up and take-down, security, body-marking, finish line duties and assistance to disabled athletes. We are also looking for Homestay families to host some athletes. So please get your family, neighbours, team or friends involved and help us make this a national success once again!“