The triathlon season is getting underway and there are some exciting developments happening for Southend-based triathlon team, ‘Team Viper’. Last year saw the retirement of previous chairman, Dave Dunn, who has now been replaced by Steve Henigan who, alongside the senior coach Ian Gummery, has a few things planned for Team Viper this year. “When I took on the position of Chairman last summer I saw the role as being more involved with the management of Team Viper and had no intention of getting involved in the excellent coaching/ training regime. My first priority was to secure sponsorship to raise the profile of the team and improve the benefits to team members. With two new sponsorship deals secured, 2008 looks set to become the best year yet for Team Viper,” said Steve.

The first sponsor to come on board is Browning Cycles of London Road, Westcliff, who are supplying the official kit in addition to offering kit and equipment at a 10% discount and free bike servicing. Trisha Browning said, "At Brownings Cycles we have supported Team Viper for a number of years. With the latest sponsorship developments we will have even stronger ties and look forward immensely to helping to develop Team Viper triathletes of all ages".

Another company to offer sponsorship are RLF, a national firm of construction and property consultants. They have kindly sponsored Team Viper by contributing funds for new kit, which has made a big difference to the team and to what they can offer their members. In addition to these exciting developments, athletes such as Charmaine Wheeler of Southend came in first place for her age group with a time of 44:52 at the Deal Aquathlon on the 23rd March and Peter Hawkings of Chelmsford finished fourth in his age group with a time of 1:08:52 at the Thames Turbo Triathlon on the 24th March, he had a top ten swim and came in the top three for the run out of approx 350 competitors.

It’s looking to be a promising start for Team Viper, there are many more achievements to come so watch this space!