What a great ending to an amazing first year for Coalfields Race Team. Way back at the start of the year, we were climbing all over podiums, only a few races young.
This theme has not just continued but as a club we have grown from strength to strength!
Our spirit and teamwork has been demonstrated throughout the ranks and has shown no signs of slowing down, only gathering pace with every event.
Today, our last qualifying date for the club championships, we cemented our success with yet more victories across the country for Orange and Blue.
Beginning yesterday, Steve Williams took on the Brothers Brownlee at the Brownlee Tri, but unfortunately, narrowly missed out on taking a major scalp of the Olympic champion! Nevertheless it was a great display for orange and blue.
Today, Gavin Richardson and Mick Lavender put on a fantastic display at the Thorpe Park Triathlon, not only did the young lad Mick win the race, but he set a new course record for the event.
Closer to home, at the Big Lime Hartlepool triathlon. Great achievements were had all round. James Campbell completed his very first triathlon after having earlier outings in orange and blue for early season duathlons. Matthew Fearn added further success by winning first Junior. Chris 'the fish' Philpott not only came first out of the water, but finished 3rd senior prize overall. Achievements were topped off in Hartlepool by local Coalfields athlete Matthew Turnbull. Matt scored his first win of the season to mark a great year for himself and signing off for 2013.
Great show guys.
We are still awaiting confirmed results for the girls in Cambridge, but early reports suggest they had a great time amongst a very strong national standard field for the final Kitzbuhel European qualifier of the year.
I think now is an appropriate time to not only congratulate you all on your own individual performances throughout 2013 in reaching your own goals, but also thanking you for your commitment and support in making our first year a great success for Coalfields Racing Team.
2013 may be a very difficult act to follow, but I think with your passion and determine to help each other and make this team the success it is, we can only hope for more of the same come 2014.
Who can forget those who truly make this happen. Our family and friends who have travelled the country with us to help support and look after us, making sure the wheels don't fall off. They are the ones that deserve all the credit! For without their help, we wouldn't be where we are.
Thank you so much, you are all truly a part of this club.
There will be more races across the winter, but we may be a little less frequent with reports, so on that note, let's all raise a glass to 2014 at the Christmas party.
