Youth Series: All to play for with one round left in Athy

The Youth Series rankings have been updated after some stellar weekend racing in Wexford and Ballyhaas. Both races took place over the aquathlon format and although we weren’t treated to top quality flying mounts and speedy dismounts from the bike like in races past, the Youth Series athletes put on a show that they should be very proud of over the swim and run legs of the aquathlon. A super weekend of racing and top class performances by all.

With the two races last weekend, the ranking tables were ever changing and boy oh boy is it exciting! The podium places in each age group, across both girls and boys, are super close and it really is all to play for in the final round in Athy on October 10th. This last race will be run over the duathlon format, so transitions and fast feet are super important.

In the Youth Series 12-13 category, we have what might just be considered our closest race ever across a series of races. In the girls race, there are only 75 points between 1st and 2nd place in the standings with Sarah Gaffney currently holding off Aoibheann Ryan. The points difference allocation for first and second place differ by exactly 75 points, so this final race is going to be right down to the wire for the girls.

In the boys 12-13 category, there is again only 75 points the difference, but this time the current series leader (Luke O Doherty) and second place athlete ( Turlough Donnelly) are both sitting on the same points, with third place athlete (Liam O’Driscoll) only 75 points behind. This duathlon in Athy is going to be super exciting and will give all athletes the chance to really shine and see what they have at the end of this season.

In the girls 14-15 years category, Chloe Bennett has a lead of 225 points as it stands, but Izabella Chidlow, in second currently, has been having some fantastic races of late, so again, Athy will decide the final order. Sadhbh Moore is currently in third, but 4th place athlete Sarah Blackett, is only 18.23 points behind. The order of this podium after the final round could be completely different! How exciting a finish is this!

In the boys 14-15 category, the top four athletes are only 225 points apart. There is going to be a great battle in Athy between Mathys Bocquet, Cal Tutty, Noah Harris and Ethan Doherty. It is so close in the standings right now and anything can happen on race day! Bring it on!

In the final Youth Series category, 16-17 years, we have another close battle on our hands. In the girls race, the podium slots are currently only separated by 288.74 points. Charlotte Moore, Olivia Moore and Isabelle Perry currently hold the top 3 spots but Caoimhe Moore and Amy Lundy are in hot pursuit in fourth and fifth.

In the boys race, we have another highly contended series finish. As it stands, there are only 219.37 points separating first and third. Athy will be the stage for Ross McGuinness, Finn Harris and Finn Buck to solidify their places, but there are a number of speedy runners clipping at their heels who are currently sitting in the top 10 overall.

We are very excited to see the final round of the Youth Series supported by Costcutter take place in Athy on October 10th. The final standings of the series across all age categories is anyone’s call, so be sure to keep an eye and cheer loudly for all the youth series athletes. There is a super exciting finish on the horizon.

If there is one thing we have noticed throughout the Youth Series supported by Costcutter, it is the importance of the family support teams! Triathlon is an individual sport but we have seen some awesome support crews at the races this season!! Cheering or barking, we love to see it!