Russell White Three Races Three Weeks
After competing at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Russell White spent the whole of 2022 battling a major flare up with Crohn’s disease. In less than 12 months, the Banbridge triathlete has made his way back to competing on the International stage and in just over a year he’s made his comeback to the World Cup circuit. But, he didn’t just compete in one, he’s spent the last three weeks travelling from China to Spain and on to the Czech Republic. Three World Cups in as many weeks.
WEihai world triathlon cup | 26th August
White made his World Cup comeback in Weihai China on the 26th of August, doubting that he was ever going to be the same athlete or race to such a high level after leaving the circuit for so long.
“I went into the race with a completely different mindset and it made a huge difference. For so long I doubted if I was ever the same athlete or able to still race well again. Instead for this race, I treated it as a privilege to race again and told myself this was what I got out of a hospital bed last year to do; to be back racing on the world stage showing I’m not done just yet. As an airport sign said as I flew out, ‘the best is yet to come’.
Finishing in 13th place, it was quite the comeback indeed!
VALENCIA WORLD TRIATHLON CUP | 2nd september
Flying from Weihai, China to Valencia, Spain for the next World Cup aiming to back up his previous result of 13th and showing everyone it wasn’t just a once off. The Banbridge triathlete finished in an impressive 19th place, another top 20 result.
White battled tough conditions throughout the race and after the previous weekend including the travel his body was a little flat. “The race was tough and the body was a little flat but got a good effort out. I initiated a breakaway that I didn’t really have the legs for but was worth the punt. I’m happy to come away with 19th here to back up last weeks 13th.”
Karlovy vary world triathlon cup | 10th of september
White’s final race in three weeks came quick enough, time usually passes by you by when you’re travelling from country to country, prepping, training, recovering and getting yourself ready to go again. He was back in a familiar race, Karlovy Vary, where he produced a fantastic result to finish 2nd in 2018.
White finished in 18th place, topping off a 13th, 19th and 18th in three Olympic Distance World Cups in as many weekends.
“I’ll always want more, but as a return to World Cup racing after my fair share of struggles, I’m very proud. Time to recover, get a training block under my belt and finish off the season even stronger again.”
