ATKINSON HUNTING SLICE OF NOOSA HISTORY

Triathlon Oct 25: Australia’s Courtney Atkinson has installed himself as the undisputed ‘king’ of Noosa Triathlon with three successive wins at the world famous event. The Beijing Olympian is poised to create history as he lines up to snare a fourth title, a feat not achieved by anyone in the events 29 year history.

DOWNLOAD Noosa Tri Elite Start List 2011

{audio}/images/stories/news-articles/audio/emmajacksonoct27.mp3{/audio}

Atkinson thrives on this non-drafting course, it is one that demands strength across all disciplines and a reason the course record has stood since 1997, when six time Noosa champion Craig Walton set a blistering 1:44:13.
 
“I think the record will stay with Waldo for many more years to come. The race is different to back then. But I also think that is a fitting honour as he seems to be the last of the true Australian swim/bikers to be able to dominate races from the front.” said Atkinson.
 
The biggest threat to Atkinson’s dream is fellow Australian team mate Chris McCormack, who is no stranger to Noosa and enjoyed success there in 2005.

“I will tell you that I won't lie down without a fight, I have drawn on all my years of training experiences to find every little thing I could out of a short four week build up for the race,” said Atkinson.
 
Despite racing on the world stage during the international season Atkinson admits Noosa is always a high priority for him and about why he does this sport.
 
“Noosa is always a high priority to me, it is the sole race in Australia that as an Olympic triathlete I can come back to race the way I grew up loving the sport of Triathlon.
 
“I feed off the fact that I am just another one of thousands out there on the same course at the same time with the same goal; simply to race the race to the best of their ability and enjoy it,” added Atkinson.
 
Atkinson admits that 2011 has been the most challenging of his career.
 
“If I take one thing, and one thing only from this year it is I found where the upper limits of my training lie.
 
“Do I have regrets? No, I don't want to just make the Olympic Team for a second time, I want to go to London with the ability to win a Gold Medal and that means taking risks sometimes.”
 
“I have shown for a decade, year in year out I am capable to train myself to race the best in the world. You just don't lose that overnight,” he added.
 
Atkinson is hoping that Noosa will be a positive start to his Olympic campaign; the 32-year-old knows what is required to achieve his dream.
 
“I have to go out and perform. Just show that I am still capable of running against the top in the world. I am still the only Australian over the past few years who has been able run a race to the line with a chance to win against the likes of the Brownlee's or a Gomez.
 
"My focus is not on making the Australian Olympic Team. My focus is to get back to racing with a fighting chance to win against the best in the world and the rest will look after itself."
 
For the past five months Ironman champion McCormack has switched his focus to Olympic distance racing in pursuit of his own dream – a spot on the start line in London 2012.
 
“I wasn't sure at the start but I feel I can make it to the Olympics now in whatever role is required,” said McCormack
 
The 38-year-old father of three from Cronulla, NSW believes he has made the right decision and is enjoying being back in the Olympic distance arena.
 
“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it so far, I can feel the speed coming back and while it hasn’t all gone according to the script I’m positive I still have a lot to offer.
 
“I can’t wait to get up to Noosa; it’s been way too long since I was last there. I love this race and the non-drafting course suits me. I’ll be giving it a red hot go and maybe spoiling Courtney’s party,” added McCormack.
 
The star studded line up also includes James Seear, a two time runner up at Noosa, Victorian Peter Kerr who placed third last year behind Atkinson and New Zealand’s Kris Gemmell. The other challenges will come from swim/bike specialist Clayton Fettell and young guns Mitch Robins and Jamie Huggett.
 
Add in long course specialists Paul Matthews, coming off a career best season in the US and Gold Coaster Luke McKenzie who recently finished 9th in Hawaii sets up one of the best men’s races in recent years.
 
The women’s field will see Triathlon Australia’s youngest Emma in action, former Noosa Triathlon winner Emma Jackson, and rising long distance star Melissa Rollison who recently claimed the 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas.
 
 Jackson has the chance to cap off an outstanding season after finishing fourth in this year’s ITU World Championship Series including two second place finishes in the Hamburg round of the series and the Sprint World Championships in Lausanne.
 
For 20-year-old Jackson the season came as a surprise to her, initially hoping to finish top ten in the world.
 
“I couldn’t have asked for a better season than I’ve had, to put in all the hard work and have it pay off was so rewarding.
 
“I’m really looking forward to racing Noosa; it’s a great weekend and a lot of fun.
 
“I certainly hope to improve on my fourth place last year, it would be a great way to finish the season in front of a home crowd,” said Jackson.
 
Melissa Rollison did her first triathlon just 18 months ago and earlier this month she defeated a great field on a tough course to win the Ironman 70.3 World Championship.
 
In 2010 it was while cross training on the bike that Rollison had a revelation and made the decision to change focus from running to triathlon.
 
In the months that followed, she enjoyed an unprecedented start to her triathlon career with victory in her first three triathlons, setting a handful of course records including the Gold Coast Half Ironman. A top five finish at the Noosa triathlon was followed by a stunning second place in the Asia Pacific 70.3 Championships.
 
She has worked hard on her weakest leg – the swim, joining up with swim coaches Brendan Capell earlier this year and now Zane King.
 
“Zane has paid a lot of attention to my stroke. When he first saw me swim he was amazed at how terrible my stroke was but how I somehow managed to still move through the water at a reasonable pace. It wasn't long till he realized it was just my fitness and determination that got me anywhere.”
 
“I’m looking forward to racing Noosa, I’m confident I can improve on last year’s 5th place,” said Rollison.
 
Add Ironman specialist Rebekah Keat, former Australian champion Felicity Sheedy-Ryan and rising young stars Charlotte McShane and Ellie Salthouse and Noosa again offers a number of variable outcomes.
 
 With $60,000 in prize money up for grabs for the elite field there is added incentive to endure two hours of racing.
 
For more than 7,500 triathlon competitors making the annual pilgrimage to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the Noosa Tri is more than just a triathlon and more than tradition, it is the place to be and the ‘must do’ event of the year.
 
Racing gets underway from 6:30am Sunday 30 October.
 
For further event information check out the website at www.noosatri.com.au

For all other media enquiries please contact: Lisa Pringle 0417 005 743 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Events Queensland as part of a record investment in major events supporting regions all over Queensland, including the Sunshine Coast.