Vortex Racing

2009-03-01T20:06:00.001-05:00

I've added a Team Calendar to the website.

Steve

2009 Race Kit

2009-02-17T17:19:00.004-05:00

2009 Vortex Racing "Team Events"

2009-01-18T14:19:00.003-05:00

March 21-22
Multisport World Expo
@ MIT

June 13
Hyannis Sprint I Triathlon*

June 28
Cohasset Triathlon*

July 12
Black Fly Triathlon*

July 19
USAT Strawberry Fields Junior Elite Cup**

July 26
Marlborough Triathlon

August 1
Junior Draft-Legal Event in New Bedford (tentative)

August 9
USAT Junior Elite National Championships**

August 21
Timberman Sprint Triathlon*

August 30
Fireman Sprint Triathlon*

*Northeast Junior Series Points Race
**Team Coaching Support

Vortex and PowerBar Team Elite

2008-12-27T08:01:00.003-05:00

Vortex Racing is proud to have the support of PowerBar Team Elite. You can learn about PowerBar's terrific product line at www.powerbar.com. If you'd like to order product, send Steve a request with the specific items and quantities. Sample product and Team Elite apparel will be offered at various team functions throughout the year.

Pre-Season Tips for Juniors

2008-04-27T12:01:00.003-04:00

As the triathlon season begins to come into focus, here are a few things you'll want to consider:

1. Make sure your USA Triathlon membership is current, you have your membership card or key tag in your transition bag, and you have an ID for race day.

2. Check your bike fit. If you've been off the bike most of the winter, that inch your grew since last fall will show in your bike fit. You may need to raise your seat height or even upgrade to a larger frame. Likewise, make sure your cycling shoes and wetsuit still fit.

3. Purchase extra tire tubes and stash them in your transition bag. While your at it, check your tires for nicks, embedded glass, or worn-out side walls. Start the season on fresh tires.

4. Sign-up for your important races. Triathlon is popular these days. Don't be left on the sidelines because you waited to register for your "A" race.

Jarrod on Wheaties

2008-04-26T08:35:00.001-04:00

Vortex Racing alumn Jarrod Shoemaker on Wheaties box.

http://www.usatriathlon.org/sitecore/content/News/2008/April/042308_Shoemaker_Wheaties.aspx

2008 Junior Elite Series Dates

2008-04-26T08:08:00.002-04:00

Des Moines Junior Elite Cup
June 21, 2008
Des Moines, Iowa
www.hy-veetriathlon.org

Strawberry Fields Junior Elite Cup
July 20, 2008
Oxnard, California
www.strawberryfieldstri.com

USAT Junior Elite National Championships
August 9, 2008
Colorado Springs, Colorado
http://www.usatriathlon.org/UsatEvents/YouthNationals2.aspx

New England Junior Development Series

2008-04-26T08:04:00.001-04:00

www.nejuniortriathlon.com

Des Moines Pics

2007-06-20T21:54:00.000-04:00

Transition boxes readied for battle.

USA National Team member, Sarah Haskins, raced to 4th in the Elite event. Way to go, Sarah!

Matt starts the run.

Des Moines

2007-06-20T21:42:00.001-04:00

Vortex Racing opened its junior elite racing season on June 16th at the Hy-Vee / USAT Des Moines Junior Elite Cup. Racing for the team were Kate Ross, Jake Shoemaker, and Matt Mosca. Race conditions were tough - temps in the low 90s, high humidity, and some tough climbs on the bike and run. The field quality was equivalent to a national championships.

Kate (pictured), racing as a member of the USAT Junior National Team, finished 4th overall (3rd American) with the 2nd best run split. Jake took 6th overall and Matt was 22nd.

The athletes had the unique opportunity to race on the same course, with all exitement of the blue carpet, pontoon start, closed course, and VIP grandstands, that were used for the $700,000 Hy-Vee World Cup Triathlon. For team members, Jarrod Shoemaker and Sarah Groff, were in the elite field. Jarrod finished 8th overall, top American male. Unfortunately, Sarah was taken out by a crash.

Next up: Kate heads to Edmonton, Canada, for the Pan American Junior Championships, then onto Brampton, Canada for the Canadian Junior Championships, where Jake will also race. Matt heads out Portland for the USAT Age Group Championships. The team will rejoin in Pittsburgh on July 14th for the next Junior Elite Cup.

2007 Season Preview

2007-04-08T10:05:00.000-04:00

The 2007 racing season is shaping up to be one of the best yet. Here is snapshot:

Athletes looking to stay on the "local" racing circuit can focus on the USAT Northeast Junior Development Series. The series will see eight races across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York. Stage 1 - Hyannis Sprint - has two spots on the line for the 2007 ITU Sprint Distance World Championships. www.nejuniortriathlon.com

Beginning this year, USAT will designate its top tier U19 events at Youth Elite Cups and Junior Elite Cups. National level races will take place in Iowa, Pennsylvannia and Colorado.

The USAT Des Moines Junior Elite Cup/Hy-Vee Triathlon takes place on Saturday, June 16th. Winners will earn automatic nominations to the World Championship squad. With the exception of the swim (which takes place a few miles away), the race takes place in front of Iowa's state capital building. The juniors will warm-up the course for Sunday's ITU World Cup, which has a $700,000 prize purse. www.hyveetriathlon.com

The USAT Pittsburgh Junior Elite Cup will be held on Saturday, July 14th. It begins with a dive start in front of PNC Park (home of the Pirates) and finishes at the front door of Heinz Field (home of the Steelers). Athletes will be treated to a fast and technical multi-lap course designed to mimic the 2007 World Championship venue that provides spectators with their best view of the competition all summer. Final spots for 2007 Worlds will be determined here. www.pittsburghtriathlon.com

American juniors will wrap up their continental season at the USAT Junior Elite National Championships on August 12th. The high plains of Longmont, Colorado (elevation 4,979 ft), will also host the annual Can-Am Challenge. A full day of events will see championships awarded to Youth Elite, U23, and top Development Team, as well as an ITU Pan Am Cup and probably a 2008 World Championships spot. It's all on the line in Longmont 2007. www.thegreatcoloradotriathlon.com

See you there...

2006 Rankings

2007-04-07T15:35:00.000-04:00

Congrats to our top ranked athletes

Kate Ross - Honorable Mention - Junior Athlete of the Year category
Stephanie Stambaugh - 4th - All-American - 16-17 Juniors
Allison Linnell - 11th - 16-17 Juniors
Ian Sullivan - 7th - 20-24 Offroad

Back!!

2007-03-26T17:39:00.000-04:00

The season is fast approaching. Regular updates coming....

Early Look at 2007 World's Course..

2006-09-09T15:55:00.000-04:00

The ITU World Championships will take place in Hamburg, Germany in 2007. Get an early look at the elite race course here...

http://www.triathlon.org/?call=TVRZeQ==&keep=sh

Race website here...

http://www.hamburgcityman.de/championships/zeittabelle.php?lang=en

Winter cycling...it can be done

2006-09-05T19:37:00.000-04:00

I'm the type of person who despises the arrival of holiday marketing before the preceding holiday has occurred (see: Xmass music played before Thxgiving). So, it pains me to write about winter cycling when, technically, it is still summer. Pet peeves notwithstanding, a little planning ahead in this case will keep you off the indoor trainer and on the road for a good part of the fall and winter. So, try not to think about snow just yet, but do inventory your cycling apparel before the frost sets in and identify what you need so you'll have it when the cooler days arrive.

Riding outside comfortably when the temps drop below 50 is a simple matter of dressing for the conditions. As young, developing athletes, it is unlikely that you've amassed an arsenal of clothing to combat the elements. If you take a piece-by-piece approach, in a few years you'll be ready for just about any conditions. Here are some tips for getting started:

1. Arm/Leg Warmers: The most basic cool weather items in your kit. Since most of you will race in the early a.m. it is important to pack these year round for those cool mornings. Arm/Leg warmers cover the exposed skin not covered by your short-sleeve jersey and shorts. Vortex Racing has team logo'd arm warmers in stock.

2. Base Layer: Short- and long-sleeve baselayers worn under your jersey are often just enough to take the edge off on a cool day. Add arm warmers and you have a virtual long-sleeve jersey for fall riding. Check out Craft products.

3. Gloves: Begin with insulated full-fingered glooves. If you anticipate riding on sub-35 days, pick up a pair of "lobster claw" two finger glooves. Pearl Izumi has a great selection.

4. Booties: Keep the toes warm with a pair of insulated shoe covers. For really cold days, tape over the vents in your shoes or stuff a bit of newspaper over the toes (between the shoe and bootie). Again, Pearl Izumi is well stocked with options.

5. Skull Cap/Balaclava: Keeping your head warm is important....and so is wearing your helmet. Choose a skull cap that fits comfortably under your helmet. For really cold days, a balaclava that covers your head and neck will keep you comfortable. You can also use clear packing tape to cover the vents in your helmet to keep the wind chill out.

6. Full-length bib-tights: When you need to add a second layer to your shorts, look to full-length bib-tights without a chamois (pad). The bib will keep the tights snug over your lower back.

I could go on.... The thing to remember is that you can add pieces to your kit over time and gradually extend your cycling season. Because these items will not get daily wear, you'll get years of use out of them...so invest in quality products that fit well.

Steve

Kate Ross reps USA @ Worlds

2006-09-02T19:12:00.000-04:00

Kate Ross competed in her first ITU Junior World Championships on Saturday. Here are a few photos courtesy of www.trilausanne.ch (hope they don't mind!)...

Video of the race is available at www.triathlon.org (click on Tricast)

Congrats Kate on a stellar season!

Triathlon on TV (almost)

2006-08-25T20:26:00.000-04:00

This has been a lousy year for viewing triathlon on TV, but the ITU will make up for it (somewhat) with live broadcasts of the Triathlon World Championships over Labor Day Weekend. Go to www.triathlon.org and follow the links to their Tricast (they are usually very obvious when the live coverage is active). Switzerland is 6 hours ahead of East Coast (US) time, so plan for an early wake-up (or no sleep at all) if you hope to watch live. If you miss the live coverage (reportedly, ITU will have 26 cameras on the course!), don't worry. ITU will have Tricasts of all the races that you can view very soon after the race finishes.

Start/Viewing Times:

Saturday, September 2nd - Junior Men @ 7am (1am EST)
Saturday, September 2nd - Junior Women @8am (2am EST)
Sunday, September 3rd - U23 Women @730am (130am EST)
Sunday, September 3rd - U23 Men @345pm (945am EST)
Sunday, September 3rd - Elite Women @1045am (445am EST)
Sunday, September 3rd - Elite Men @1pm (7am EST)

Enjoy!

Flying Mounts and More...

2006-08-22T14:01:00.000-04:00

Check out this new program offered by the ITU...

http://www.triathlon.org/?call=TWpJMQ==&sh=keep%20

Mark Cote in Bicycling Mag

2006-08-18T18:51:00.000-04:00

Click here: Revenge Of The Nerds

Jarrod interviewed on Tricast

2006-08-16T08:24:00.000-04:00

Watch Jarrod Shoemaker's Tiszaujvaros World Cup pre-race interview here:

http://www.triathlon.org/?call=TVRZeQ==&keep=sh

Kate takes Bronze

2006-08-15T14:46:00.000-04:00

Kate Ross on the podium at Junior Nats....

Welcome

2006-08-15T14:26:00.000-04:00

Welcome to our first-ever blog. I hope to be able to use this blog to share news, results, photos, as well as your own race reports, questions, and other random musing about the team, triathlon, or life in general. Stay tuned.

Coach Steve