Inspire & Build Future Olympians

U16 Race, Kids Camps and Kids Of Steel Race to inspire and build our future Olympians

Kelowna, BC –

While the Kelowna community and the rest of the world gears down from the excitement of the Olympic games, the Kelowna Apple Triathlon Society is working to grow the Olympic spirit in its community.

For the first time, the 2012 Kelowna Apple Triathlon will host a new race specifically geared to assist the development of potential future Olympians. This U16 race will be held Saturday morning. 

All athletes can go to the website www.appletriathlon.com for race registration and details. This race (along with the annual youth and teen triathlon camps and Kids of Steel races) is an opportunity for our community to support and guide our future athletes.

Kids and Teens Camps began this past weekend at Strathcona Park behind the hospital. They are offered in an enjoyable, supportive environment that upholds the Tri BC philosophy of co-operation and fun. Instruction is provided by certified coaches covering the basic skills of swimming, biking, running and transition, teaching triathlon rules, and enabling each camper to complete the Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon on Saturday following the Camp.

These camps sell out each year so we encourage people to come out and watch the fun and education the young people are enjoying, and then go to the website www.appletriathlon.com as registration begins in October for all those interested in signing up for 2013.

We are still looking for volunteers for all of our events, including the Kids of Steel race. This is a great fun family weekend so come bring your entire family out to enjoy the sunshine and cheer on athletes of all ages. Register yourself, family or team at www.appletriathlon.com/volunteers. 



Date: August 13, 2012
Issued by: Deanne Collinson, Media Relations and Communications Director, Kelowna Apple Triathlon Society
deanne@deannecollinson.com
Cell 1-403-613-9624

Olympic Triathlon Coverage

It is the time we have all been waiting for: the 2012 Olympics have finally begun!

For triathlon fans, make sure to mark your calendars for August 4 for the women's race, and August 11 for the men's race. Here are the key times as well as links for coverage:

The woman's triathlon final is scheduled for Saturday August 4th at 9am London Time, which is 1 am Pacific Daylight Savings Time. The men's race is scheduled for Tuesday August 7th at 11:30 am London Time, which is 3:30am Pacific Daylight Savings Time.

NBC will be broadcasting live, and for those of us that prefer to sleep in, you can watch the triathlon on either CTV or TSN later on.

Here are a few useful links:

London Olympics Website - http://www.london2012.com/triathlon/

CTV Olympics Website - http://www.ctvolympics.ca/videos/index.html

CTV Viewers Guide (all video coverage) - http://www.ctvolympics.ca/viewers-guide/index.html

National Post TV Schedule - http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/07/26/here-is-the-olympic-tv-schedule/

For those of you that want to relive of Simon Whitfield's exciting end to the 2008 event when he came from behind to win a silver medal, here it is: http://youtu.be/8mpWpaiXWo4.

(Thank you to Simon's Blog for the picture http://simonwhitfield.blogspot.ca) 

Bike Course Video

Awesome video by one of our bike course volunteers! Thanks Brent for capturing the scenic course from your scooter. If you haven't raced our course before, check this out to get an idea why everybody loves our race ....

Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon Bike Video from Brent Prokop on Vimeo.

Race for Everyone

The Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon has race for everyone!

We have added a 5km Fun Run at 5:30pm on Friday afternoon for those that don't like swimming or cycling!  Why not have some Fun while on the Run!

Our total range of events are:

Canada's Finest Triathlete's Coming to Kelowna for the 2010 Canadian National Triathlon Championships

Some of Canada’s finest triathletes have confirmed their participation in the 28th Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon taking place on August 20 to 22 in Kelowna. Amongst them are 35-year-old Olympic silver medal winner Simon Whitfield of Victoria and 21-year-old Edmonton native Paula Findlay. Findlay finished third at the 2009 Under-23 World Championships and won the gold medal in the World Championship Triathlon Series race held in London, England in July this year.

Both Whitfield and Findlay are well acquainted with the streets of Kelowna and pristine waters of Okanagan Lake. Whitfield attended his first national championships in Kelowna in 1992 and won the 2009 Senior title, ahead of Kyle Jones and Paul Tichelaar. Findlay achieved a first ever hat-trick in 2008 winning the Junior, Under-23 and the Senior Canadian Triathlon Championships. After placing third in the Senior Elite race in 2009, she will certainly be looking at regaining the Senior title in 2010. Last year’s winner, Lauren Campbell (Groves) is unfortunately still nursing an injury and won’t be competing.

Whitfield will be chased by World Cup teammate Kyle Jones of Oakville, Ontario and Findlay can certainly expect to be challenged by another rising star in the sport of triathlon, Kirsten Sweetland of Victoria.

The Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon hosts the Canadian National Triathlon Championships for Sprint, Olympic, Paratriathlon and Elite, the ITU Pan American Cup, the Western Canadian Kids of Steel Youth Championships and the FINA Open Water Swims. It is also a qualifier for the 2011 Triathlon World Championships in Beijing.

The Apple has already attracted eight top Canadian paratriathletes. Amongst these are Meyrick Jones and Brian Cowie. This year's National Championships in Kelowna will be the fourth for Jones. He is a three-time National Champion paratriathlete and has competed at two World Championship races. As a below-knee amputee, Meyrick has trained and competed at the national and international level in Paratriathlon, Paracycling, and Paranordic Skiing. In 2010/2011 Meyrick will be acting as a guide for Brian Cowie, a visually impaired athlete, at various triathlons including the National Championships, Ironman Canada and the Ford Ironman World Championships. This weekend's race will mark the first time two paratriathletes have teamed up to compete at any level of triathlon.

Despite tougher economic times, the Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon has attracted over 1500 entries so far and entries are still being accepted. Sunday entrants are encouraged to register soon, as almost 1100 of the 1200 spots have already been taken. The number of volunteer positions has been increased to 1200, of which over 800 have already been filled. Anybody wanting to fill those last positions should contact the Volunteer Director soon at volunteer@appletriathlon.com or call the KATS office at 250-763-5287.

For more information on the weekend’s events, participating or volunteering, visit us at www.appletriathlon.com.

The event is being organized by the Kelowna Apple Triathlon Society (KATS), a non-profit society. Triathlon Canada is the governing body for triathlon in Canada. Recognized as an Olympic medal sport since 2000, Triathlon Canada’s mandate is to promote, foster, organize and develop the sport of triathlon and its related disciplines in Canada. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit www.triathloncanada.com


Posted by Jeanette Hoft, Media Director

Apple Triathlon Schedule Now Available

The Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon is a little more that two weeks away and registration deadline is approaching.


If you have already signed up the 2010 event the schedule has been posted on our web site.  


Click on the small calender on the right hand side of events the page for a downloadable PDF schedule.


Make sure to review the schedule for your event and set aside time for your pre-race meeting. Both the run and bike course have had adjustments so make sure to attend!


Looking forward to seeing you at this years event!

* NOTE that the times are subject to change! The schedule of events should be reviewed periodically. Further changes will be discussed at the Pre-Race Meeting so all racers must attend to ensure they have the latest applicable information.

Posted by Mike Hassard

Kelowna Apple Triathlon Meet, Eat and Plan!

Come and meet the other members of the Kelowna Apple Triathlon Executive and help with the planning for this years event.


The 2010 Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon is shaping up to be as big as last year and is the qualifiier for the World Championships in Beijing! So we need your support in any area you can help. Time has changed!!

Blenz Sponsors the Business Sprint Relay

Are you and your colleagues in need of a team building opportunity and physical challenge this summer?

The Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon provides the perfect opportunity with this years Business Challenge Sprint Relay, sponsored by The Blenz Coffee Company , on Sunday, August 22, 2010.

Peachland Triathlon Cancelled

Due to an extended road construction schedule affecting the 20 km bike course, The District of Peachland Recreation Department announced on Tuesday, July 13^th, 2010 that the 16^th annual Peachland Triathlon scheduled for Sunday, July 25^th will be cancelled.
   

“We apologize for the inconvenience, and appreciate the disappointment for the athletes, but a safe alternative could not be found for race day,” says Race Director Pelma Haffenden.  Staff along with the construction crew assessed the route trying to find alternatives.  Unfortunately, because the location of the construction is at the mid-point of the cycle, it was challenging for to find a 20 km route that staff felt was both safe and appropriate for the athletes.
   

“Rather than compromise athlete safety and the integrity of the race, we feel that it is in the best interest of both the athletes and the District to cancel the triathlon for this year,” says Haffenden.  Full refunds will be issued to the already registered triathletes.
    

The 2011 Peachland Triathlon is scheduled for Sunday, July 24^th,2011 featuring an improved route and amenities from the Beach Avenue/Centennial Way construction project.

Apple Triathlon Spring Time Venue Planning

Summer is coming and plans are coming together for this years Kelowna Apple Triathlon.  Over 1600 athletes, 800 volunteers, and 75 sponsors all working together to host one of Canada's most successful Triathlons this August 20-21 2010.

The main venue is situated on Water Street in downtown Kelowna right next to one of Kelowna's most recognized landmarks the Dolphin waterfall.

With the beautiful weather my daughter and I spent the morning reviewing the main venue site taking pictures and imaging how the event will look this year. Helps to remind me how fortunate we are to like in a community where some are skiing at Big White, while others are golfing all in the same day. Feel free to enjoy the slide show below.