Athletes test their limits

Calm seas, gentle breezes and a stunning sunrise over the sand dunes of Cable Beach greeted competitors from Broome Triathlon Club in the second Olympic distance and sprint triathlon of the series this year.

The “Broosleton” triathlon was popular with novices and experienced athletes, and some people competed in their first-ever sprint (750m swim, 20km ride, 5km run) or Olympic distance race (1500m swim, 40km ride and 10km run).

Oskar Booth, coming off the back of his first half-ironman triathlon in Busselton last weekend, demonstrated consistent good form at the shorter Olympic distance with an impressive time of 2 hours 20 mins.

Katy Duffield, who recently qualified for the world Olympic distance triathlon championships in New Zealand in October, was the first woman in 2 hours 29 mins.

With the wind increasing, Nic Smyth and Gordon Ramsay found the second lap of the Olympic distance bike leg testing.

But the hard work they have put into their training prevailed and both went on to complete their 10km run and first Olympic distance triathlon.

Club president Steve Graham said the club would run a training triathlon in the run-up to the annual Cable Beach triathlon on Sunday, September 9.

“Broome Tri Club is all about encouraging people of any ability and fitness level to come and try out the sport in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere,” he said.

“It was great to see so many new members completing only their first or second triathlon and their enthusiasm for the sport growing.

“We have regular training sessions for all abilities and would love to see more people get into the sport by joining the club and having a go.”