The City of Joondalup Coastal Quest Triathlon is set to take place on Sunday 17 December 2023. Nestled amid the scenic beauty of Hillarys, Whitford Nodes sets the stage for an exhilarating State Sprint Championship event.
The weather is forecast to be a balmy 29 degrees celcius with not a drop of rain in sight. A predicted south-easterly wind will shake things up for athletes on the bike and run, adding to the challenge of the day.
The fun kicks off bright and early with the Tinlids (kids race), followed by the main events including Sprint, Bolt, Duathlon and AquaBike. Also on offer is the ‘BIG EASY’ wave for those athletes that want to cruise through having completed a long course Ironman, 70.3 or similar in the weeks before.
This championship attracts a diverse range of participants, from seasoned senior athletes to young and talented junior representatives. Expect fierce competition and an electric atmosphere as participants vie for victory in their respective categories.
OPEN MALES:
2022 saw an impressive victory by Matt Burton (Oceanic) on this challenging course. Matt, fuelled by the taste of recent triumph, is back on the starting line this time round and eager to grab the Championship title.
Keep an eye on young-gun Reece Harris (Mandurah), who secured a commendable 4th place in 2022/23 and is on a hot streak this season. Don’t forget Kurt Wesley (North Coast), who is determined to seize the Sprint Champ title that eluded him by seconds at the Foreshore Tri.
Joining the competition is Paralympian David Bryant, fresh off an Australian Team training camp in Canberra. We’ll also see some great performances from the likes of Ronan Hays, Rowan Kerr, and Christophe Gardener. It’s sure to be a fierce competition in the Open Male field!
OPEN FEMALES:
Sian Munks, the 2022/23 State Sprint Champion, is geared up to defend her title against a very strong field. Munks will get a run for her money from Aleisha Wesley (North Coast), who narrowly missed out on the title last season and is on a mission for redemption.
Madison Toovey, who secured 4th place last year, brings her IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships qualification momentum into the sprint event. Watch out for Indie Arbuckle, a stalwart of the WA State team, consistently showcasing her prowess over sprint distances.
Ella Phelan, crowned the 2022/2023 Age Group Triathlete of the Year, dominated the State Standard Distance race at Tiger Snake and is now making her mark in the open category after a successful stint at the Melbourne 70.3 last month. Anticipate a stellar performance as Ella continues to shine on the triathlon stage!
AGE GROUP ATHLETES:
In the 20-24 category, keep an eye on Jaxon Bilchuris, Andrew Flint, and Carolyn Wallace. Chad McKay and Steven Pocock, who excelled on this course last season, are stepping up to the 25-29 age group. Notable contenders in this category include defending sprint champion Aidan Clark, Jack Mcleay (second at the Rockingham Foreshore Tri last season), and Damien McAleese (impressive performance at Tiger Snake in October).
The 30-34 age group features strong competitors like Jarrad Bowen, Eddie Oldroyd, and Donna Kimpton. Joao Carlos Bernardes Neto and Iain Miller from the 35-39 age group showcased strong performances last season, and the 35-39 female category boasts a formidable lineup with athletes like Michelle Carranza, Renee Blackstock, Floora De Wit, Anna-Lee Martinovich, and Louise Whitehouse.
In the 40-44 category, watch out for contenders such as Christina Ladyman, Kate Burton, Anna Massey, and Carrie-Anne Cairns among the women, and Phil Corrick, Cameron Sobejko, and Daniel Wedge among the men.
Peter Brozicevich aims for the 45-49 Male state title after securing second place at the Foreshore Tri last season and first at Coastal Quest in 2022. The 45-49 category also includes strong contenders like Matt Genevieve, Chad Marriott, Marcus Rooney, and Julian Gibbings. Paratriathlon legend Sally Pilbeam faces tough competition from Kate Atkinson and Alison Thompson in her age group.
In the Female 50-54 category, experienced triathletes Katherine Ryan, Kate Baxter, Emma Leonard, Simone Roach, and Christine Golder will compete. The Male 50-54 category features a competitive field with athletes like Bart Hollemans, Russell Harris, Russ Harper, David Cowlishaw, Chris Hanrahan, Paul Burton, and Craig Appleby.
Lisa Hitchcock, Jane Hardy, Liz Sheehan, and Pip Laufman are ones to watch in the 55-59 women’s category. The 55-59 men’s field is equally competitive, with athletes like Lucky Phil Monks, Bruce Barrington, Martin Depiazzi, Matt McKay, Phillip Hays, Paul Thompson, Bill Lakic, and Jon Esslemont.
On a remarkable comeback streak, Dale Wesley competes against experienced athletes Darryl Harris, Andy Johns, and Phillip O’Neill. In the 60-64 female category, keep an eye on Lise Ashton, Ruth Metcalf, and Gillian Walsh.
Trish Vickery is the sole female contender in the 65-69 category, while Richard Burnell, John Hook, and Barry Silverlock are set to take the men’s start line. Malcolm Wilcox and David Whitely will represent the 70-74 age group.
Best of luck to all athletes!