IRONMAN CLYDESDALES
An unofficial section for super athletes ( the heavier variety ) is being
run within this years Air New Zealand Ironman in Taupo.  If you or someone
you know qualifies by meeting minimum weight requirements they can register
for one of the "unofficial" Clydesdale classes by going to the Ironman
website www.ironman.co.nz follow the links and you will find what you need
to know.
Clydesdale section enables us heavier types to compete with our own peers
rather than the more traditional greyhound styled Ironman types.
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MUNICH TRIATHLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS DATE AND VENUE CHANGE

The 1999 ITU Triathlon World Championships have been rescheduled for 4-5
September and moved to the Munich Olympic rowing facility.  The venue is
well suited for a World Championships with a large permanent grandstand and
one of the finest water courses ever constructed.

The event was originally scheduled for Munich's Olympia Park, 31July-1
August.  However, as the cleaning of the "man-made" lake began, it was
discovered that sludge on the bottom of the shallow lake contained
contaminants not found in the water test.  Faced with a clean-up bill of one
million dollars to incinerate the sludge, the race course was relocated to
the Olympic rowing site that already has the stamp of approval from the
Munich Health Department.

The 4, 5 September date was selected to accommodate the needs of German
national television that will provide extensive coverage of the event, same
day at the busy rowing facility.  The "same day" television programme of the
World Championships lifts Triathlon to an exciting new level of importance,
and a recognition by the Public
Broadcast Corporation in Germany (ARD) of the success gained by ITU and its
"television friendly" format.
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A visiting German triathlete comments
ARD is the largest of the four major TV networks in Germany.  Potential
viewing audience is measured in millions.   ARD often have 4 to 5 hours of
sport coverage on Sunday.  Triathlon being covered by ARD will really help
boost Triathlons profile in Germany a country of 85 million people.
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The following article was published in Waikato  Times, Jan 11, 1999

TRIATHLETE THORNBURN CONQUERS SURGERY SCARS WITH FOURTH PLACE
by Evan Pegden

Seven months ago Walter Thorburn was suffering so severely from back pain he
couldn't even get out oh bed in the morning. On Saturday the experienced
Hamilton triathlete completed his comeback to top competition after spinal
surgery by finishing fourth in the 10th Port of Tauranga Half Ironman at Mt
Maunganui. Thorburn, 35, completed the 2km swim, 90km bike, 21km run in 4h
01m 58s.The event was won by defending champion Cameron Brown (Auckland) in
3h 55m 0s. It was far cry from Thorburn's victory in the event two years
earlier when he set a record that hasn't been bettered, but the result was
beyond his wildest dreams only a few months ago. He had been in pain as far
back as last year's half ironman, but when he found he couldn't get off his
bike at the end of training ride and then couldn't lift his legs to get out
of bed in the morning he sought expert advice from a sports doctor. His
annual six-month trip to Japan to compete on the professional circuit was
cancelled and in June he had surgery to remove tissue around several discs
in his spine that was blocking the sciatic nerve. "I couldn't sit down for
three weeks. I had to be either lying down or  standing up," Thorburn said.
"I honestly didn't know whether I would be able to compete again and I had
to keep an open mind." After a five-month break he cautiously resumed
training last October and completed two warmup events last month. His
rehabilitation almost complete, he will return to Japan on April 10. "I'm
very proud of myself for how things have gone. I achieved my goals and
more."
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1999 ITU DUATHLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Organizers of the 1999 ITU Duathlon World Championships have moved the race
venue from Davidson, North Carolina to Huntersville, North Carolina.  The
date will remain 16, 17 October as originally scheduled. The move was
prompted by the rescheduling of the Darlington 500 automobile race.

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INTRODUCING "THE SHELIA"

We have had Women's Only tri's  
we've had Bloke Free Tri's 
next up it's The Shelia
Marton to be held on 21.2.99 
2k run, 12k cycle and 200m swim
Another great event to encourage more ladies to give our sport ago.
Further details contact  Kathleen Murphy 06 327 7830
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QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Through a true friend one can hope that his or her power to do good and to
achieve goals will be extended and last longer"
Sir Francis Bacon