220 Triathlon May 2023

Writing in late March, the birds are singing and there's blossom on the trees. But, I have to admit, I'm desperate for open water to start warming up! My local lake is still a chilly 7.8°C and it feels like this winter has been so much longer than usual. So this month we look at how to train smart in open water and how to achieve your goals. From beginners or nervous swimmers hoping to finish confidently, to experienced open-water swimmers chasing a PB or a comfortable iron-distance finish, we've got all the advice you need. And if you want some real top-level inspiration, then our interview with Ironman legend Sebastian Kienle as he starts his retirement year will give you plenty to motivate you! NEVER MISS A COPY OF…

THE BIG PIC…

START A Clash Endurance race over 100km at the Miami Speedway and a middledistance Challenge event in Puerto Varas in Chile are unlikely to be career-defining races for elites trying to progress in the sport. But while there might not have been an M-Dot in sight, smart-thinking Brits Lucy Byram and Tom Bishop seized the chance to compete with the very best in 2023. Back-to-back wins for Byram and a runners-up spot followed by victory for Bishop in the March contests have gone a long way to earning the points required to gain entry to high profile races to come, starting with the PTO's European Open in Ibiza in May. Both Brits are now on the cusp of the PTO's top 30 in the rankings, which should guarantee a start…

START 3 OF THE BEST PROTEIN POWDERS £29.99 for 480g This lemonade-flavoured clear whey is great for summer, as you can mix it with water and have it over ice for a refreshing drink. It delivers 26g of protein per shake. foodspring.co.uk UNDER £40 ELITE ULTIMATE WHEY £32.99 for 750g Developed with the All Blacks, this whey protein can be mixed with water or milk and delivers 24g of protein per scoop. Available in strawberry, chocolate or vanilla. healthspanelite.co.uk UNDER £50 SIS REGO RAPID RECOVERY+ £49.99 for 1.54kg A mix of 38g carbs and 24g protein, plus a range of BCAAs, this is a decent option if you're looking to aid muscle repair and replenish energy stores after long, heavy sessions. scienceinsport.com…

START Norwegian brand Trimtex shot into the limelight with the help of tri superstar, Kristian Blummenfelt –helped in large part by the now infamous see-through tri-suit he wore to victory at the Tokyo Olympics. Now, you can get your hands on the latest iteration of said suit, thanks to Trimtex's new highperformance brand Surpas. Developed with Blummenfelt's coach Olav Alexander Bu and temperature-monitoring pioneers Core, the suit aims to balance aerodynamics, hydrophobics, heat dissipation, flexibility and fit. The HOTTEST NEW GEAR brand also says it has ‘the lightest fabric ever used in a triathlon suit’. Speed, naturally, is a key factor in the suit's design, and it features carefully-placed ‘turbulators’ on the shoulders and arms that have produced an average 3.5% improvement (and peaks up to 8%) under conditions similar to…

Triathlon was a small part of Lucy's incredibly rich life. She was such a wonderful person and she meant so much to the local community. You wouldn't believe the number of people who have stepped forward and told us what she meant to them and how inspiring she was. She was 35, she had so much more to come. She was hugely into CrossFit. They [Crossfit Penybont] were like another family to her. And then of course she had her tri club – Pen-ybont Triathlon club, where she used to take sessions. It was actually me that encouraged her to get on a bike in the first place. I can remember buying her first bike from Halford's and trying to encourage her to use cleats. I remember her going around…