Lymington triathletes to represent Great Britain at Ironman 70.3 World Championships
Six local triathletes who train in Lymington and the New Forest are on their way to New Zealand to race in the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.
The endurance athletes, some of whom have already flown out, had to win or come in the top three in an official qualifying event.
Most of the qualified local athletes earned their places at the Ironman 70.3 in Weymouth. That includes Ted Ward, who will race in the Men’s U24 category, Natalie Green (Women’s 30-34), Chris Harris (Men’s U30), and lifelong Lymington Triathlon Club member and founder Valeria Sesto (Women’s U50+) earned their spots.
Meanwhile, Tasha Cooper (Women U24) earned her spot in a different race, while Sean Ward (Men’s U60) narrowly missed out in Weymouth before racing in three further events to earn the right to compete in the world championships with his son, Ted.
At the rainy, windy event, Ted Ward, Harris, Natalie Green and Sesto won their slot for the worlds. However, it wasn’t enough for Sean Ward to earn a world championship slot despite his first-ever podium position. The determined athlete raced three further events until he won a place.
Lymington Athletes founder and coach Valeria Sesto said: “It was incredible that so many managed to qualify. Some had to try harder than others, and one did four qualifying events until he finally got the place.
“I got the place unintentionally. I was going to the Weymouth event as a practice race before the Kona world championships and ended up winning the spot, which I wasn’t going to take – but I was convinced to do it!
“I was given six weeks to confirm, and by the time a kind supporter, a local business, came forward to sponsor me the entry and travel costs to get there – it was magic!”
The event is held over the weekend of the 14th-15th December, with the women’s race on Saturday and the men’s on the following day.
The athletes all train and race together, with some swimming sessions held at the Lymington Leisure centre and Hordle Cliffs while cycling in the New Forest and running along the Lymington sea wall.
“Sean Ward had the hardest part”, added Sesto, who set her Ironman marathon personal best at the Nice Ironman World Championships and stands at three hours and 26 minutes. “But, after a lot of effort and overcoming all the hiccups he encountered on the way, he did it! He qualified and will be lining up next to his son, Ted, at the world championships!”
The Ironman 70.3 distance is half that of a traditional Ironman event, with competitors racing a 1.2 miles (1.9 km) swim, cycling 56 miles (90 km) before running 13.1 miles (21.1 km).
Although New Zealand has organised Ironman events for over 30 years, it will be the country’s first time hosting a world championship.
The team is supported by the local – and now multinational – businesses Precision Nutrition & Hydration.
Local athlete Andy Blow started Precision Nutrition & Hydration in his shed and was recently named the official hydration provider on all European Ironman events.
