European Championships Are Here
In a year when international competition could not be taken for granted, more than 25 Irish athletes will get the chance to race in the green or Ireland this weekend at the European Championships.
The Spanish city of Valencia is the host for a full weekend of racing, taking in the Elite sprint distance triathlon, the paratriathlon and the sprint and standard distance Age Group Europe Triathlon Championships.
Where to Watch
In a new endeavour with our friends at Europe Triathlon, Triathlon Ireland will carry a live steam of the Elite women’s event on our facebook page.
Results will be posted to triathlon.org and we will round up all the action here on triathlonireland.com
European Age Group Sprint
First up tomorrow morning at 8am local time are the TriTeam Ireland athletes racing the sprint distance event. The sprint distance holds the largest contingent of Irish athletes across the weekend – watch out for some close racing and as always some good healthy rivalry across the european teams!
| Sprint Distance Saturday 25th | |
| Gearoid O’Connor | 1065 |
| Eva McGowan | 1165 |
| Darragh Skehan | 1099 |
| Des Crinion | 1187 |
| Hugh Feeley | 1188 |
| Aidan Kelly | 1220 |
| Padraig Purcell | 1221 |
| Patrick Tierney | 1222 |
| Clare Casselton | 1334 |
| Rosemary Obey | 1335 |
| Majella Rafferty | 1495 |
| Ralph Barron | 1525 |
| Owen Barron | 1567 |
| Eugene Clonan | 1420 |
| Deirdre Philpott | 1442 |
| Michael Mallon | 1366 |
| Francis O’Connor | 1367 |
ParaTriathlon
Midday tomorrow sees a strong contingent of Elite Para Triathlon athletes take the line for their sprint distance race. Mark Millar races in the PTWC category, where he will face stiff competition in a world class field featuring former World and Olympic Champion Jetze Plat and multiple world medalist and Olympic silver medalist Geert Schipper.
Ireland has two athletes racing in the PTVI category – Donnacha McCarthy and guide Sean Husband; and Oliver Gunning, who we are informed will become one of the youngest, if not the youngest ever competitor at Elite PTVI triathlon tomorrow when he races with guide Tom Flaherty.
Elite Women
At 14:15 it’s the turn of the elite women with Erin McConnell flying the flag. After a superb season with some medal winning performances both internationally and domestically, Erin will head in to the European Champs with confidence – follow the race live on our facebook page.
Standard Distance Age Group Champs
Then on Sunday at 8am local time, a number of TriTeam Ireland athletes who will have raced just the day before, will double up to race the Standard Distance event – a hardcore weekend of triathlon!
| Standard Distance Sunday 26th | |
| Patrick Tierney | 3194 |
| Gavin Flynn | 3232 |
| Majella Rafferty | 3420 |
| Ralph Barron | 3492 |
| Owen Barron | 3446 |
| Eugene Clonan | 3366 |
| Francis O’Connor | 3319 |
Best of luck to everyone racing this weekend – we hope you enjoy the return of top flight European competition!
