Olympic Qualification Chaos

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In today’s edition: 

• 🧨 Chaos abounds as Olympic qualification window nears completion.

• 🍩 Can your body “switch” between burning carbs and fat?

• 🍒 And a killer sleep-supporting supplement!

Thanks for being here,

-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor

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ONE BIG THING

Chaos Abounds as Olympic Qualifying Window Nears Completion

This past weekend saw the two final World Triathlon World Cup events of the Olympic qualification window - held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and Huatulco, Mexico.

• Some athletes were able to take control of their destiny with strong performances, others now find themselves staring down the barrel of elimination ahead of this weekend’s final Olympic qualifying race in Cagliari, Italy.

Huatulco World Cup

Mixed Team Relay: The weekend kicked off with the last-chance desperation™ Olympic Qualifier. The first two teams across the line would automatically qualify a mixed team relay to the games.

After strong first legs, Norway and Canada found themselves in the lead. But drama quickly struck as Sophia Howell (CAN) ran off course entering the swim. Shortly after the team was disqualified, striking a huge blow for their MTR dreams.

• Norway would keep the pressure on through the rest of the race, and take an emphatic win, ensuring they will be on the start line in Paris.

Behind, an incredible comeback by The Netherlands saw them pass the Hungarian team in the final run lap. They too would provisionally earn a spot on the Olympic start line.

• However, it was later revealed that their athlete, Mitch Kolkman, needed to finish in the top 30 of Sunday’s World Cup race to ensure his individual Olympic ranking was eligible. With a poor performance in the following individual race, their efforts would be for nothing.

Full results

Women’s race: Huatulco is typically decided on the run, and this edition was no different. However, the finish was absolutely thrilling with six athletes battling it out until the final meters. Alberte Kjær Pedersen (DEN) nailed her sprint to take the win.

• 🥇 Alberte Kjær Pedersen (DEN)

• 🥈 Rachel Klamer (NED)

• 🥉 Solveig Løvseth (NOR)

Olympic implications: As outlined in an article from World Triathlon, Pedersen’s win jumped her into the top 30 of the Olympic ranking, causing grief for Spanish athletes Noelia Juan and Anna Godoy Contreras who could be looking at a heads-up duel in the final Olympic qualifier this weekend.

• Canada’s Dominika Jamnicky also needed a solid result to boost her chances of gaining a spot for the games. Now, she must fight for her Olympic life this upcoming weekend.

Full results

Men’s race: With most of the field together after the bike, a footrace would decide the podium. And Richard Murray (NED) used the good vibes of his team’s earlier mixed relay performance to power away to a solo victory.

• 🥇 Richard Murray (NED)

• 🥈 Mathis Beaulieu (CAN)

• 🥉 John Reed (USA)

Olympic implications: Kolkman needed that crucial top 30 to ensure he and his team would be eligible for the Games, and he rose to the occasion with a rare career-defining 9th place.

• Bence Biscack (HUN) jumped back into the top 30 of the Olympic rankings. There are now three Hungarians ranked 24th-29th who are battling for two Olympic spots. All three will be battling this weekend in Cagliari.

Full results

Samarkand World Cup

Men’s race: Connor Bentley (GBR) was part of a successful bike breakaway that saw the entire podium come from the lead group.

• 🥇 Connor Bentley (GBR)

• 🥈 Yanis Seguin (FRA)

• 🥉 Jonas Schomburg (GER)

Olympic implications: Schomburg’s podium points put him ahead of countryman Lasse Nygaard Priester. And mathematically impossible to catch. Always an animated racer Schomburg should be featured heavily at the front of the Olympic triathlon this summer.

Full results

Women’s race: Lena Meissner (GER) was able to push hard after a full gas breakaway with four other athletes and take the triumphant victory.

• 🥇 Lena Meissner (GER)

• 🥈 Jessica Fullagar (GBR)

• 🥉 Tilda Månsson (SWE)

Olympic implications: After Samarkand, a sudden-death four-way battle has now emerged between Erica Hawley (BER), Petra Kurikova (CZE), Zuzana Michalickova (CZE), and Dominika Jamnicky (CAN). They are all fighting it out for the final individual Olympic ranking spot. All four will be on the start line in the final qualifying race in Cagliari.

Full results

All eyes on Cagliari

After a huge rankings shakedown in Huatulco its down to the final race this weekend at WTCS Cagliari with some huge qualification implications including 👇

• What will happen with the French men’s Olympic qualification? The home country saw medal favorite Dorian Coninx crash in Yokohama and break his wrist and elbow. Will he race? Will the other three men take advantage and show they deserve to go?

• The US women and the Great Britain women will have their own races within a race, which will no doubt produce incredible drama.

So many storylines and opportunities for incredible performances. Race well, or go home. It’s sport at its purest, and cruelest.

FAVOURITES

🍩 Switching fuels: Sometimes people say you can “switch” between using carbohydrates and fat as fuel depending on your exercise intensity. But is that actually true? No, lol. Read this and learn how your body uses a unique mix of fuels at each level of intensity. [My Sports Science]

🍒 Special supplement: Can a supplement really decrease muscle soreness and inflammation, and help you sleep better? Yes! According to sports dieticians at the U.S. Olympic Committee, tart cherry juice can help you with the above. Just make sure to time it right!

✖️ Transition tactics: For some athletes, their first race of the season is right around the corner. And, given triathlon can be a little overwhelming, this video on how to organize your transition setup can help you simplify at least one thing! [GTN]

👏 Homeless to IRONMAN: “I was just waiting to overdose and die or get killed. I mean, I didn’t know which it would be.” Timmy Howard used to be drug-addicted and living on the streets of Indianapolis. But fitness helped him turn around his life, and now he’s competing in IRONMAN events. [Wish TV]

REEL TIME

Chaotic scenes from this weekend’s IRONMAN 70.3 Morro Bay as over 300 athletes DNF’d the swim due to incredibly strong currents.

alec.merlino

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A bit rude no one asked, if we’re being honest 🤣

tri_dadass

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WEEKEND RACES

Challenge Family Championship

World class fields were assembled for the Challenge Family Championships in Slovakia. In the women’s race, India Lee (GBR) showed how she is becoming one of the most feared middle-distance racers as she broke the course record and won her second consecutive Challenge Championship race.

• Kyle Smith (NZ) had an incredible run to take the men’s Championship race.

Full results

IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga

This IRONMAN Pro Series event saw some big movements in the overall rankings with a new men’s series leader, Matt Hanson (USA). Danielle Lewis (USA) still leads the women’s series.

• The aforementioned Hanson stuck to his race plan and unleashed fury on the run as he broke the tape in the men’s race.

• Emma Pallant-Browne (GBR) also had a blazing run to take the victory, her second in as many weeks (she won last week in Mallorca).

Full results

Other pro races 👇

IRONMAN Brazil, IRONMAN 70.3 Pay’s D’Aix, Xterra Oak Mountain, IRONMAN Lanzarote.

QUICK NEWS

Incredible Chris: Chris Nikic, who made history as the first athlete with Down’s Syndrome to complete an IRONMAN has now completed all six of the World’s top marathons. [Live Action]

Indigenous inspiration: Six First Nations athletes completed their very first full-distance triathlon at IRONMAN Australia. Their goal? Inspire fellow indigenous athletes to dream big! [NIT]

Warrior mentality: Chris Hutton almost died after a mid-race cardiac arrest. But survived thanks to the help of a fellow racer who was a doctor. Now, he plans on completing the rest of the race. [Gloucestershire Live]

TEMPO EXCLUSIVE ARCHIVE

• Are you making the four most-common nutrition mistakes?

• Why you need to train faster, not harder!

• Will spirulina make you faster? Absolutely!

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