Regions
MID-ATLANTIC
What better way to escape Pennsylvania’s cold weather than a trip to Texas for the USA Triathlon Race Director Symposium in January? With so many industry leaders gathered in one place, it had plenty to offer.


I had the opportunity to listen to inspiring women leaders like keynote speaker Terri Schneider, an endurance athlete an psychology consultant. Other speakers included two-time Paralympian and U.S. Army veteran Melissa Stockwell and Amanda Duke Boulet, USA Triathlon’s Paratriathlon Program Senior Manager.


A valuable theme was the importance to solicit feedback from our participants: How did the race make you feel? Would you describe it as fun, challenging, exciting? A positive experience for family and friends? My takeaway was to make sure my events not only feature a great race but also a positive experience.


Looking forward, I hope to work toward my Level II Race Director Certification and work with the race directors in the Mid-Atlantic to help promote the sport within our Region. We have so much to offer the triathlon and multisport community.


Lastly, I want to thank the USA Triathlon Mid-Atlantic Region Women’s Committee for offering the grant opportunity to pay for this registration.


— Joella Baker


 


 


 


 


ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Twins, Bryce and Brent Phinney (40), are both accomplished within the sport as World Championship competitors. What gives them the drive to succeed? Some speculate that it is the fierce rivalry and competitive nature between the two brothers that drives them to be one step ahead of each other.


However, in this instance, I can assure you that it is not the case. They both simply possess the desire to be better than they were the day before. That very same desire has made them not only stellar athletes, but has also made them extremely admirable in the business world. Brent has his own optometry practice. Bryce is an engineer. Bryce and Brent collectively agreed that their true inspiration comes from their desire to inspire. They desire to inspire others to live a healthy, happy, prosperous life. Both brothers are very humble with their overall success in triathlon, which makes them ideal role models in today’s society and triathlon community. These brothers aren’t afraid to admit weakness, but also prove that strength truly comes from within and is not solely measured by the number of times you step on that podium.


 


 


 


 


FLORIDA
The Florida Region wrapped up a successful 2016 in Orlando with a weekend of education and celebration.


The weekend started with the Florida Coaching Symposium where top USA Triathlon coaches Justin Trolle, Jennifer Hutchison and Hector Torres shared their knowledge and experiences. It was a fantastic weekend of not only learning but also encouraging each other in our businesses.


The Region also celebrated its Hall of Fame. The 2016 class included Jackie Yost, an almost 90-year-old athlete still competing and inspiring athletes. Cherie Starr, most well-known as founder and race director of the iconic Heartland Triathlon. Lastly, paratriathlete Hector Picard was inducted. Picard has finished over 130 triathlons, including the 2016 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona. Nominations for the 2017 Hall of Fame are open and available at www.usatfloridaregion.com/usatriathlon-florida-region-hall-of-fame.


The Florida Region is also pleased to announce the 2017 Club Program and Championship Series. The 34th annual Great Clermont Triathlon Festival in March and the 26th Annual Huntington’s Disease Triathlon in July in Miami will serve as the 2017 Regional Club Championship Races. Division winners and runners-up will be crowned and recognized as the Florida Region Club Champions in each of these two races.


For more information on everything going on in USA Triathlon’s Florida Region, stay tuned to our website and Facebook page and make sure you follow/like us on Twitter and Instagram.


 


 


 


SOUTHEAST
We are excited to say that we showed membership growth in the Region this past year, thanks to our athletes, their families, coaches, race directors and clubs.


We intend to grow participation in the sport and membership even more in 2017. Plans to attract, recruit and retain new and experienced athletes include another Chattanooga Extravaganza at the 2017 Olympic-Distance Regional Championship Race at Team Magic’s Chattanooga Waterfront Race, to be held June 25.


We are planning another free Coach’s Clinic with CEUs as well as offerings for Clubs, Officials and athletes. Don’t miss it.


The Southeast Regional Council also plans to be present at several non-triathlon events in order to promote our fantastic sport and lifestyle. Look for us at running, cycling and swimming events in South Carolina, the Panhandle of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee this year.


We are dedicating resources in particular this year to growing youth participation across the Region, women’s programs and short course racing. Ideas under consideration and/or in the planning stages are swim clinics, more athlete/coach education efforts, support of kids’ races, and specific Race Director support initiatives.


Please send us your stories and photos and we will share all the cool things you are doing on our website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


 


 


 


 


NORTHEAST
Bob Fernald, a New Hampshire triathlete, finished in the top 10 fastest swimmers in the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, consisting of: The English Channel (21 miles), Catalina Channel (20.2 miles) and Manhattan Island (28.2 miles).


Fernald took swim lessons (at age 8) in order to help haul lobster traps. “The water freaked me out,” he says. As an adult, he competed in a sprint triathlon with a friend who then invited him to join a Masters swim class. After just 50 meters, Fernald vomited. He left the pool after 300 meters.


Four years later, it clicked. “I went back to the pool, and I felt a swimmer’s high you dream about. I had started practicing pilates and attribute my success to it. I basically figured out the body position aspect of the swim and realized I was able to swim for hours. So I set a goal of the English Channel.”


Ninety days before the swim, Fernald fell off his roof, required foot surgery and lost five weeks of training. “I arrived in the U.K. on crutches,” he said. Fernald went on to swim against 8-foot swells and 20 mph winds before crawling out of the water in France as the second-fastest American. “So… I set my eyes on completing the Triple Crown.” The rest is history.


Congratulations, Bob. You are an inspiration to all.


38 | USA TRIATHLON | SPRING 2017

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