WCS Race - Yokohama

Another first for me again this season with my first start at Yokohama for round seven of the ITU World Championships Series . I was pretty nervous going into the weekend with all the big guns racing and staying with the other Australian members. I went into the race wanting to have a good swim and no expectations for the ride and run.

The swim was a two lap course and I looked at the start line before race day and wanted to start as far left as possible, as it was the shortest distance to the first buoy. I was shocked to see Daniel Unger start on the far right furthest away from the buoy. This meant I got a better position as other athletes ranked higher then me chose to start near him, which was stupid in my view. The start horn went and I had a great start and tried to get clear water in the first 150m. Managed to get the first buoy on the feet of first person and felt good in the water. Josh Amberger went to the lead on the way back after the second buoy. I just sat on his feet comfortably for the rest of the first lap and second. Exited the water equal first and headed to T1 with a long run to transition.

Managed to get onto the bike first and work my way out of transition. A group of about 10 athletes formed and I was struggling from the first straight to hang onto the front bunch. I felt as though I didn’t have the strength in my legs. It wasn’t a matter of lack of fitness. The body felt really good, but coming out of corners I didn’t have the strength in the legs to keep up with the bunch. I.e. the stop and go. I found myself off the front two bunches (formed later in the race) on my own riding for about half a lap until Drew Box crashed from the front bunch and got back on his bike near me. We rode together for the remainder of the bike and almost got caught by a little pack behind us. Had a decent T2 and set out for the run. My legs felt super heavy for the first lap with the other guys who come into transition with me put a gap into me early but managed to build into the run and catch a couple. I started feeling a lot better on the third and fourth lap but still have a lot to improve on. I would of liked to see how my form was racing against the best if I didn’t have to knee injury for the last 6 weeks. But injuries are apart of the game and they happen.

I was happy to race my first World Championship Series race in Yokohama in the hot and humid conditions. It has given me a taste of what I want to race in the future!

News article 14/09/2009

Knee injury hampers Shane Barrie's preparation

BY MIKE GANDON

14/08/2009 4:00:00 AM

North Wollongong ironman Shane Barrie will have his first start in the new ITU World Championships Series in Yokohama next weekend.

This will be the last race of seven in the series before the world championships finale on the Gold Coast.

Barrie will be racing the 2008 Olympic gold medalist, Jan Frodeno, of Germany, and 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Bevan Docherty, of New Zealand, plus a host of athletes ranked inside the top 20.

"I'll be looking to attack the swim and try to lead out of the water," Barrie said yesterday.

"But I don't expect to run to my full capacity due to my knee injury that I've had for about three weeks.

"I'm getting over it now.

"I'll be going to Yokohama to gain experience in this unique opportunity and to have fun before I come home on August 25.

"I had my first ITU World Cup start last week in Tiszaujvaros, Hungary, where I was third out of the water.

"But I struggled with the bike and run due to the lack of training with the knee."

Photos from ocean swim

Before the race in Hektor Llanos' shop getting ready.
















The swim start!!!!! Carnage!!!!!!















After the race.

L to R: Carlos (Colombian training partner), Myself, Inigo (Host while in Vitoria), Appo and Dave

Ocean Swim in Spain

Had a 2.8km ocean swim race about a hour away from my base (Vitoria, Spain) on Friday. It is the biggest ocean swim in Spain and has 1100 competitors in the race plus spectators on the beach. The race is from Gataria to Zarautz. It starts in the harbour and follows the coast down to the next beach for the finish. I ended up finishing in 3rd across the line. I was very happy with this as the two that beat me were the top Spanish open water swimmers and I was only 15 seconds behind them.

At the presentation they gave out trophies to the top 30. It was amazing and the trophies were all so big! My trophy was approx 35-40cm tall!

Anyway, got my first World Cup next week in Hungary so I'm very excited!

Ill keep you updated,


Shane