OLYMPIC DREAMS

NOW in its fifth year, the Bahrain Endurance 13 team has announced its 2019 roster of athletes pursuing gold across all fronts and distances, promoting a culture of health, wellness, endurance and sporting excellence ... with Olympic dreams to match, writes Lisa Pringle.

Dubbed ‘the Originals’ for having been with the team since Day 1, multiple world champions Jan Frodeno, Daniela Ryf, Terenzo Bozzone, and Javier Gomez return this year.

Joining them on the roster are dual Olympic gold medallist Alistair Brownlee, Ironman 70.3 world champion Holly Lawrence, mixed relay world champions Ben Kanute and Ashleigh Gentle, Ironman champion David Plese and team captain His Highness Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, chairman of Supreme Council for Youth & Sports and president of Bahrain Olympic Committee.

The Bahrain Endurance 13 team has also welcomed three new athletes this year – World No 2 Vincent Luis, two-time Ironman 70.3 Middle East champion and world record holder Kristian Blummenfelt and Commonwealth Games paratriathlon bronze medallist Lauren Parker.

With the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics coming up, the Bahrain Endurance 13 team has a special focus. Gomez, Kanute, Gentle, Luis, Blummenfelt, and Parker are determined to make selection.

“There’s definitely a focus on Olympic-distance racing and winning the Tokyo Olympic Games on the men’s and women’s sides, so we’ve targeted some athletes to do that,” said team manager Chris McCormack. “Our 2019 roster in our fifth year of racing is absolutely remarkable.”

While he threw his hat in with his Ironman teammates last year to make his first attempts over the distance and in Kona, Gomez will focus on shorter distances again. He said: “It’s been great to be part of this since the beginning along with Jan, Daniela and Terenzo, the ‘Originals’ of the team.

“We have many great achievements – my first year as an Ironman last year. In 2019 I’ll be more focused on shorter distances but also try to do well in 70.3 Worlds in Nice. I’m excited for the year ahead to keep inspiring others and support our team ideals. I would also like to welcome the new team members, it’s a pretty cool team to be part of.”

Luis was on the 2018 mixed relay world championship-winning team from France. The junior World and European champion also clinched the No 2 World Triathlon ranking last year by winning the final race on the Gold Coast. He is the series leader in Super League Triathlon, showing versatility, grit and winning killer instinct on its unique formats and courses.

“It’s very exciting to be joining this team of champions. What they have achieved as a team is simply amazing and I really hope to contribute. I will be focused on my WTS ranking and Super League Triathlon,” said Luis.

Blummenfelt has been to the Olympics for Norway and aims to better his 13th place from 2016. He has rarely been outside a Top 10 finish in World Triathlon Series racing and in defending his Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship Bahrain title last year set a new world record for the half distance.

“I’m very excited to be joining Bahrain Endurance 13 alongside so many world and Olympic champions,” he said. “Bahrain is a very special place to me having won two Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championships and breaking the 70.3 world record there also. I’m looking forward to representing this great team.”

Parker has gone from elite triathlete to elite paratriathlete, approaching training and competition with the same fire she has always had as a former junior swimmer who turned professional after placing second in the 25-29 age group at the 2015 Ironman World Championship.

Two years ago a freak cycling accident broke her spine – but not her spirit. A year later, she took bronze for Australia at the Commonwealth Games paratriathlon. She also won bronze at the world final on the Gold Coast six weeks after undergoing spinal surgery.

“My 2019 goal is to become world champion in paratriathlon, to qualify for the 2020 Paralympics,” said Parker. “Ahead of me joining the Bahrain Endurance 13 Team, I wanted to give a special shout-out to one particular finisher in Kona last year, Shaikh Nasser who had his best ever Ironman finish, in 9:19:09, winning his category (Military Division). An outstanding performance and a sign of plenty more big races to come.

“Looking towards the Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship later this year. I’m very much looking forward to my first visit to Bahrain but also cheering my new teammates on to another successful performance. It will be a thrill to not only be there but to also be competing in the race myself as part of the Ironman 70.3 Paratriathlon category.”

Three of the Originals have their eyes set on the Ironman World Championship in Kona. Frodeno and Bozzone will both have scores to settle on the course having missed last year’s edition due to injury. Ryf will be chasing history, as only two other female athletes have won more Kona crowns than her. Knowing her drive, she will also continue to close the gap in speed to the men’s field, followers of the sport suggest.

The Bahrain Endurance 13 have a combined 14 world titles, a peerless record for any professional triathlon team. But as true champions driven by team ideals of excelling in sport and inspiring health and wellness, they will not stop there. Faster, higher and stronger is the rallying cry for the racing red in 2019, the united team said.