Triathlon Racing: Four Tips From Flora Duffy
They always say it is the little things that separate the great athletes from the rest, and ahead of Saturday’s MS Amlin World Triathlon Bermuda, Flora Duffy has some last-minute advice for the race for her fellow age-group competitors.
Injury means the Commonwealth Games medal-winner and defending WTS Bermuda elite women’s champion will not be in the main event, but she’s racing as part of Team TriBermuda, so if you’re taking part, or want to know what makes Flora a world-beater, here are four tips from her for tackling Saturday’s races. Fans, take note, Flora’s team starts at 8.15am with the harbour swim from Front Street and Flora will start her two-lap bike leg, leaving City Hall car park before 8.30am.
Flora’s tips
Time Management
“Since transition is in City Hall, and the start of the race is all the way down on Front Street, it’s quite a way between the two, so allow some more time than usual, because it really disappears from when you’re racking your bike and getting down to the start, and being in the right spot. So, there are some time management things to be aware of.”
The swim
“If you’re not super confident, and you don’t want to get knocked about, maybe think about starting on the left or right side so you have a little bit of space, or even starting at the back. You don’t want to get to the first bouy with a bunch of people and get tangled up there, can be really not very nice.”
The bike
“The only thing is Corkscrew Hill. I don’t know how hot or humid it is suppose to be, but use the bike to hydrate and set yourself up nicely for the run. Maybe take in a gel or something.”
The run
“On every water stop remember to grab water and throw it over you to keep yourself cool. Drinking water at that point isn’t going to really help you, if you’re dehydrated at that point it’s already too late. Just try and keep your core temperature cool.”
The MS Amlin World Triathlon 2019 on April 27th, 2019 is the second of three annual World Series Triathlon events that Bermuda will host; in 2021 the island will be home to the ITU Grand Final and Age Group World Championships.
