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The 2017 year in Triathlon: January to March

A look back at a few highlights from the first quarter of the year in the first of our 2017 review features. Stimpson, Bishop, Cunnama, Murray and more...
Chief Correspondent
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What happened in the triathlon world during 2017? Here are a few highlights we’ve picked out from the TRI247 archives during the first quarter of the year. Q2 / Q3 / Q4 are coming soon…

January 2017

Kimberley Morrison’s Breakthrough in Dubai

Great Britain’s Kimberley Morrison had a great season in 2017, making a big name for herself on the bike in particular. Her first race of the season was at IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai – where Kim announced herself by starting the run stride-for-stride with the IRONMAN World Champion, Daniela Ryf. Check out the race report in her own words HERE.

Kimberley Morrison on the bike at IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai 2017. Picture credit to Johan Badenhorst
Kimberley Morrison on the bike at IRONMAN 70.3 Dubai 2017. Picture credit to Johan Badenhorst

Jodie does it AGAIN!

Some athletes just have the ‘key’ to some courses – and none more so that Jodie Cunnama for IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa. In January she won the race for the SEVENTH consecutive year. Read all about it HERE.

Jodie Cunnama (GBR) wins IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa 2017. Photo credit - Craig Muller
Jodie Cunnama (GBR) wins IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa 2017. Photo credit – Craig Muller

Review: REDEMPTION by John McAvoy

“Every now and then you hear people say they had a book so good that they couldn’t put it down. Well, that’s what happened to me when I got a sent a press copy of the book, Redemption.”
John McAvoy - REDEMPTION: Form Iron Bars to Ironman

Read Paul Shanley’s review of John McAvoy’s ‘From Iron Bars to Ironman’ story HERE which we published in January. There’s also a video profile on John and his background HERE.

February 2018

Looking for sponsorship? Watch and learn!

“Will you sponsor me?”. In February we spoke to HUUB founder, Dean Jackson, about exactly what an athlete should be considering long before they approach a brand to ask that question. Watch that invaluable advice HERE.

Dean Jackson from HUUB talks athlete sponsorship
Dean Jackson from HUUB talks athlete sponsorship

Hall and Learmonth sprint to Cape Town ITU World Cup Gold and Silver

A sign of things to come for the rest of the season, “Cape Town… you have been HALL-MONTHED!!!” was my headline in early February when Lucy Hall and Jess Learmonth combined for their gun-to-tape domination in South Africa, while South African athletes went 1/2/3 on the men’s podium. Read more about it HERE.

Lucy Hall and Jessica Learmonth sprint for Gold and Silver at Cape Town ITU World Cup - 11th February 2017
Lucy Hall and Jessica Learmonth sprint for Gold and Silver at Cape Town ITU World Cup – 11th February 2017

Yvonne Van Vlerken edges Siddall by just 27 seconds at Challenge Wanaka

“The world’s most scenic long distance triathlon” saw another head-to-head battle, with Great Britain’s Laura Siddall finishing a close second for the third consecutive season. She went on to have the best season of her career to date. Check out the race report HERE, and a very impressive gallery from Wanaka HERE.

WANAKA, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 18: Laura Siddall of Great Britain and Yvonne van Vlerken of Austria embrace following the 2017 Challenge Wanaka on February 18, 2017 in Wanaka, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Laura Siddall; Yvonne van Vlerken
Laura Siddall of Great Britain and Yvonne van Vlerken of Austria embrace following the 2017 Challenge Wanaka on February 18, 2017 in Wanaka, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The ERDINGER Athlete of the Year 2016 is…

From all of our ERDINGER Athlete of the Month winners in 2016 (HERE), we asked you to vote for your Athlete of the Year. You chose Jon Zigmond – click HERE to read why.

Jon Zigmond Erdinger Athlete of the Month

March 2018

Jodie Stimpson: “I love racing…”

What. A. Finish. The first round of the 2017 ITU World Triathlon Series in Abu Dhabi saw a stunning sprint finish, which saw Great Britain’s Jodie Stimpson just beaten in the final steps by New Zealand’s Andrea Hewitt. I spoke to Jodie shortly after the race about her love of racing – you can read it HERE.

The Jodie Stimpson / Andrea Hewitt Sprint finish
That was quite a finish…

Marc Austin third at Red Bull Neptune Steps

We’ve featured the (slightly bonkers…) Red Bull Netune Steps event on the site for several years now, the ‘swim-based obstacle course race’ always attracting plenty of triathletes to the Forth & Clyde Canal in Glasgow. Once again, Marc Austin made the podium. Read more about it HERE.

Red Bull Neptune Steps 2017
Mens podium Andrew Horsfall Turner (2nd) Mark Deans (1st) and Marc Austin (3rd) at the 3rd Red Bull Neptune Steps in Glasgow on March 18, 2017

Super League Triathlon makes a splash

In March 2017, Super League Triathlon arrived in an an impressive manner on Hamilton Island, Australia. Several big names were humbled by the fast and varied multi-event, multi-day racing – but not Richard Murray. Catch up on how it al started HERE.

Richard Murray wins the Day 1 Triple Mix at Super League Triathlon Hamilton Island
Richard Murray wins the Day 1 Triple Mix at Super League Triathlon Hamilton Island

Tom Bishop reaches the WTS podium

By far the best year of his racing career to date, Great Britain’s Tom Bishop finished a fantastic second at the World Triathlon Series Abu Dhabi in March 2017. Revisit his breakthrough HERE.

Javier Gomez and Tom Bishop - ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi 2017

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
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