Signed on for Mekong 2009 and Anaconda this weekend

Well as my last race for 2008 fast approaches, I have confirmed my first race for next year will be the "ITU Mekong River Multi-sport festival" in Nongkhai, Thailand, from March 27-29, 2009.

The event has been my season opener for the past two years and I am really excited to head back to Thailand for this sensational and unique event on the beautiful Mekong Delta.

Vijitr and his team of volunteers and helpers do an outstanding job organising the Aquathon (27th), Duathlon (28th) and Triathlon (29th) and that is the main reason so many internationals keep coming back!

Updates will be available soon at http://www.thaitriathlon.org/ (they will be in English also when up)

This weekend at the Anaconda Adventure race www.rapidascent.com.au , Team Carboshotz will look take back to back titles. I will be joined by Tim Bennet (MTB), Andrew Mosel (Swim) and Michael Baker (Paddle) in a formidable line up.

Regards
Radar

Skilled Engineering win Blackwood

The 30th annual Blackwood Marathon was held this weekend and once again it was a sensational event and party. The unique multi-sport race is steeped in history and I was fortunate to be selected to run for the Skilled Engineering Team- event winners for the past 6 years.

I was joined by Ray Boyd (Team Manager), David Bergland (cyclist), Travis Nederpelt (Swim-Olympian), Reece Baker (Kayak) and M'Liss Henry (Equestrian) plus Ray's cousin Justin who organises local logistics and is publican at the Greenbushes Hotel.

The run went well and I handed over to Reece with a solid lead and the fastest ztime of 37.02 for the 12km course. From there, the team continued to build a 5 minute victory margin at the finish and another successful race for the Skilled Engineering line up.

This event is definately worth making on your calenders for 2009. Big thanks to Skilled, Ray for his help with logistics and organisation and all the team

Event results and info are here http://www.mccays.com.au/theevent/

Cheers
Radar

Announcement: 2009 French Licence with the “Men in Black”

Announcement: 2009 French Licence with the “Men in Black”

I am very pleased to announce that in 2009 I will be racing for the most famous team in French Multi-sport- Mulhouse Olympique AKA “The Men in Black”
http://mulhouse-triathlon.onlinetri.com/

Mr Patrick Sanchez, the club’s Director Sportif, has attempted to create his “Dream Team” of the best duathletes from around the world and it is going to be an incredible opportunity to race with such a stellar group of athletes.

In 2009, I will race alongside:
Joerie Vansteelant BELGIUM 2*ITU Long Distance World Champion
Sergio Silva PORTUGAL 2*World Champ Bronze Medallist and Multiple World Jnr Champ
Kris Coddens BELGIUM 2008 ITU World #6
Sergey Yakovlev RUSSIA 5th ITU World Championships
Roger Roca SPAIN 2008 Spanish Marathon and ½ Marathon Champion
Alessio Picco ITALY 8th ITU World Championships

We will be racing in the French Grand Prix circuit – 16 teams, 5 races, 5 athletes competing per team/per race and the French Duathlon Cup (A on off team time trial event). It is going to be an experience to remember and I am very keen to resume training shortly to prepare for 2009.

Montlucon closes shop

Well the book has closed on Montlucon Division 1 Duathlon team. The team has decided against pushing on in 2009 and therefore I will find a new French home next year. I must thank everyone at Montlucon for their support on and off the race course over the past 2 years and wish them all the best for the future. What I will miss most is the comeraderie and team spirit that only a certain type of group can generate.
It looks as though I will be joining one of the biggest teams for next year's GP which will bring a different racing experience, with greater expectation, more team tactics and increased financial reward. The announcement should come within the fortnight.

Thanks again to everyone at Montlucon

Radar

Front Runner Bunbury Trip a Success!

It was an awesome weekend with the "Front Runner" crew in Bunbury this weekend.
The annual "Surf to Surf"- which had a record 700 entries this year - was the excuse for the get away and there were some great results from the squad. The initial race story is here http://southwest.thewest.com.au/regionals.aspx?MenuID=278&ContentID=103530
The girls in the 10k all timed between 53 and 62 minutes for a windy and hot 10k along the Bunbury coast, while in the 5k Kathy Garnett was close to her PB, Mark Cutts lopped 20 seconds of his best and Paul Mackay took $20 off my hands for running 15.59 and taking the win. I had bet him before the race that he couldn't break 16 minutes and he managed to prove me wrong!
I personally have to thank Chris Neaves from Neavesy Sports http://www.neavesysports.com.au/ for his support in racing, Gerald O'Sullivan from Bunbury Tri Club and Balinga Pasco for cooking everyone's sausages while the presentations were on!
Hopefully we will be back with a bigger "Front Runner" group for the 2009 Bunbury Surf to Surf and see if we can help them get over the magical 1000 mark next year.

Running Regards
Radar

Front Runner Squad off to Bunbury

Ten members of the "Front Runner Squad" will head down to Bunbury this weekend for the annual Bunbury Surf to Surf 5k and 10k fun runs. It is going to be a great weekend and fingers crossed it won't be too windy. We have also started our full framework for the tri-season so check out www.sebsports.com.au

I will be wearing the "Neavesy Sports" www.neavesysports.com.au during the race so a big thanks to Chris for his support and I hope to repay it with a solid win. He stocks everything you need for multi-sports and if he doesn't have it he will get it in for you!

Radar

CSK Frame for Sale

This super stiff and super aero Aluminium frameset is perfect for non drafting racing of which I don't do enough! The rigidity means that for an athlete 5'10-6'2 and some horsepower this bike would be very very hard to beat. Price $1000 ono. Please note this is a CSK Pro Team machine.

Email me for viewing rafbaugh@hotmail.com