Triathlete Barrie selected for international tour
During the tour, Triathlon Australia's leading 2016 Olympic medal prospects will gain international race experience, including exposure to varied travel, accommodation, race venues and cultures.
Athletes will also have an opportunity to earn ITU world ranking points.
Barrie, 21, was drafted into triathlons through the Australian Sports Commission talent identification process in November 2007. He was located in Triathlon Australia's Wollongong squad with coach Jamie Turner.
Turner said in 16 months Barrie has demonstrated a great deal of capacity for the demands of the sport.
His strength has been the capacity to meet the demands of the swim leg with minimal preparation. This is a tribute to the work done in his development years with coach Ron McKeon and North Wollongong Surf Life Saving Club.
"It's been pretty good - I came to triathlon knowing what the sport was about but not knowing exactly the fine details of what the sport was about," Barry said.
"Crossing over (from swimming) I found some changes, (they have) definitely got weaknesses and strengths in the sport."
"So I've definitely got to work on my bike, which is my weakness at the moment, but that's coming along nicely and my run's picking up strongly, so I'm happy with how my progress is going."
Turner said the biggest development has come in Barrie's running.
Barrie has completed the Oceania triathlon events, competing in Perth, Mooloolaba and New Zealand over the past four weeks.
He will now enjoy a two-week spell from training and begin preparation for the Young Guns Tour. After completing the tour he will take part in further competition in Europe.
The Young Guns Asian and European tour will depart on June 25 and return to Australia on July 20.
The planned itinerary at this stage is: June 28 - Seorak ITU Triathlon Asian Cup in Korea; June 30 to July 15-16 - training camp at AIS base in Varese, Italy; July 18 - Brno, Czech Republic, or Athlone, Ireland, ITU European Continental Cup.
Following the Young Guns Tour a small number of athletes, based on performance, maybe invited to stay and train with the AIS squad in Aix-les-Bain, France.
Triathlon Australia will be covering most of the expenses of the tour.
No comments:
Post a Comment