The 1989 Roth Triathlon
A few contributors to the Slowtwitch Triathlon Forum were asking about this. I’ve already looked at the 1987 and 1988 Roth races. Note that Danilo Prozor is back as author. IYKYK.
The 1989 edition of Roth, the 6th, was a half-ironman. The organisers had an agreement with the ETU to do this so as not to draw athletes away from the ETU LD champs which were being over the ironman distance in Rodekro, Denmark on 13th August.
Valerie Silk didn’t appreciate this idea. And said it wouldn’t happen again. From 1990 Roth went back to ironman distance forever.
Here’s my takes from the race report below:
Despite the shorter race, the event is still a Hawaii qualifier. The only one in Europe. Tri-Athlete (FR) didn’t like this. Saying the demands of the distance were totally different.
Even back then Roth was a big deal. The article says the race was Germany’s most important event. And the second most important triathlon in Europe. After Nice.
It seems the water temperature was 23°C. But race officials could only measure 21°C. So wetsuits were allowed.
It would be tough for Axel Koenders to defend his title over the shorter distance. And plenty of French athletes were there.
Dittrich and Cordier lead the swim. Prozilo remarks that even the amateur athletes have the latest bike-tech from the USA now.
Cordier breaks away. Behind they’re kinda-drafting. Jurgen Zack rides through the field and catches Cordier at 55km.
The roads are not completely closed to traffic. Despite the efforts of marshalls, riders are getting caught between cars. They enjoy the draft though.
Plenty of red cards should have been given. But only Henry Kiens gets one. He doesn’t stop though. He crosses the line first. celebrates the win. Then gets DQed.
Third placer Roy Hinnen is suspected of finishing that high because of rampant drafting. Who knows?
Four TV channels and 20 journalists cover the post-race press conference. Aschmoneit and Zack have beef.
Images:
Tri-Athlete (FR) Aout 1989
The 1987 Roth Triathlon
1987 was the 4th Roth Triathlon and the 3rd European Middle Distance Championships. Previous races had been held in Aabenras in Denmark in 1985 and in Brasschaat in Belgium in 1986.
The winners were Sarah Coope and Glenn Cook. They’d eventually marry and have 4 daughters together. There was also a team competiton. First three to score. Times added to together.
GBR sent a big national team. Although they’re listed as England in the team results. The athletes were: Glenn Cook, Robin Brew, Mark Knagg, Mike Harris, Bernie Shrosbree, Sarah Coope, Sarah Springman, Vicky Lescombe, Fran Hoare and Cathy Bow.
Peter Moysey was also there but listed as Thames Turbo. There were also two age-groupers. John Myott and Alan Collingborn. Kevin Robinson was entered but didn’t start.
Glenn Cook was almost certainly the only athlete using Scott DH aerobars. Here’s my 13 take-aways from the article:
The foreign national teams stayed on an army base.
Herbert Walschofer, father of Felix, was the stadium announcer.
The swim to bike transition was in Haimpfarrich. And the swim start was 2km down the canal from the lock-gate. Probably under the bridge at Eckersmuhlen.
The finish was on the track at the Gymnasium. Just south of the Stadtpark where the finish is today. In 1988 and for a few years after that, the finish line was on a road. Here it is.
There’s already loads of spectateurs in 1987. There were 300,000 last week for the 2025 race apparently. I was there! They follow the athletes using the canal tow-path.
Dittirch and dommeruth lead the swim. A group containing Cook, Brew and Barel is 30 seconds back. Serge Lecrique gets caught in traffic, drinks plenty of water and loses a minute to team-mates Philippe Methion and Jean-Claude Cauchois.
Lieve Paulus leads the women. Only 90 seconds behind Dittrich. Sarah Coop is so stressed that she zigzags her way down the canal. Losing plenty of time to her rivals.
The athletes had to change in a tent. No more nudity!
Dittrich rides hard at the front. Holding 30 seconds on the Cook and Barel. Cook pushes but the gap doesn’t close. He decides to wait and attack later. Barel punctures. Jurgen Zack lost time in the swim but will have the fastest bike split.
Cook’s waiting game pays off. Despite losing another minute behind a tractor. He racks his bike in first place. He has an unique but efficient running style. And maintains his lead.
Zack eases off on the approach to town. To save his running legs a bit. But Axel Koenders has improved his running. He passes Zack at speed then maintains 2nd place. Zack only just gets his medal. As Serge Lecrique was catching up on the track.
Sarah Coope rode her bike as if there was no run to do afterwards. She takes the lead from Springman with 10km left. She holds her lead on the run for a double-Sarah finish. Irma Zwarktkruis is 3rd. Chantal Malherbe had a great bike and run. But a poor swim kept her off the podium.
Athletes and non-athletes are drinking beer and partying hard during the prize giving. Anthems are not really respected. Will the lack of seriousness be considered negatively by the IOC? “We’ll have to wait and see,” says Glenn Cook.
Images:
Tri-Athlete (FR) Aout 1987
1987 Roth Results Booklet
French Athletes Visit San Diego In 1992
I don’t often write anything without doing plenty of thorough research. But this is kinda off-the-top-of-my-head. I’ll do some fact checking and drop the sources below later.
Here’s a story about some French athletes spending the spring of 1992 in San Diego. I’ll do a full translation later. Because I want to turn the article into a podcast episode.
The author and photographer, Max Malaurent, flew to San Diego to get the story. Do triathlon journalists still do this? Do magazine budgets allow it? Most of the stuff I see seems to be pulled from social media. Kinda lazy. A few months after this issue of Triathlete, Max would leave to start TED Magazine.
It was obvious that San Diego would become a triathlon training hub. The first triathlons, connected to what we do today, were held there. Some of the early and second wave faster athletes grew up and lived there. Tom Warren, the Buckingham twins, Scott Tinley, Mark Allen.
In May 1982 The first USTS race was held nearby. And in 1983 the
J-David finance bro scammers were based there.
Of course, there was also the good year-round weather. And what, at the time, was considered excellent training facilties. The pool at the university, the Pacific Coast Highway and Rancho Santa Fe.
Athletes from the UK started wintering in San Diego from maybe 1984. Glenn Cook, Howard Jones and Sarah Coope. A couple of years later they’d be joined by Rick Kiddle, Martin Lee and David Fowler.
The Germans also arrived in the mid-1980s. Jurgen Zack, Dirk Aschmoneit and maybe Yogi Hoffman, Karl Heinz Morath and Jorg Ullman.
Paula Newby-Fraser was also an early adopter. And then came a wave of Australians. Greg Welch, Brad Bevan and maybe Miles Stewart.
Finally, for this story at least, Spencer Smith bought a house there in around 1983. Apparently he left the UK for tax reasons.
I’m pretty sure PNF, Welch and Aschmoneit are still living there. And I’ve clearly not mentioned plenty of people. And probably added a few that never even visited San Diego. More research needed.
The French were slower to arrive. The language barrier was maybe a small factor. And that on the French south coast the weather is mainly good enough to cycle outside year round.
I want to cover Boulder later. Folklore suggests Frank Shorter was the first elite athlete to set-up there. I’ll look more into that.
Boulder has altitude. But not too much. A small-town feel. But with big town facilities nearby in Denver. There’s a Triathlete (USA) article called The Boulder Summit. I’ll find it later.
Images:
Tri-Athlete (FR) Mai 1992.
The 1984 Munich Marathon
Images:
Athletics Weekly (UK) 3rd March 1984
Unlike the Slough Marathon, the Munich one is still going. Unfortunately, the 1972 Olympic course is no longer used. However, I’ve got a pretty good idea of where the route went from the David E Martin and Roger W.H. Gynn book, The Olympic Marathon. Below.
Images:
The Olympic Marathon by David E Martin and Roger W.H. Gynn
Another excellent read about the 1972 Olympic Marathon is The Long Blue Line by Kenny Moore. Who finished 4th. It’s available in his book Best Efforts. I have a copy. But it’s quite hard to get hold of. Good luck. Pick up a copy of Bowerman And The Men Of Oregon while you’re at it. Another solid Keeny Moore title.
I’m going to try and jog the whole thing this summer. But maybe in three stages. Getting the S-Bahn to the start and finish everyday. I’ll try to make a then and now video. Comparing Munich today with what we can see in the grainy footage below.
Recent eBay Buys 1
I try to only buy vintage triathlon stuff on eBay that I’m actually going to use. I’m not into museum pieces.
This hat will definitely get worn at races in 2025. Racing or spectating. TBD. I think it’s from 1985.
Maybe modern triathletes would frown upon wearing the cap if you’ve never actually qualified and then done the race.
The 1984 Slough Marathon
Here’s an ad from Athletics Weekly for the first Slough Marathon. I’m pretty sure I went to Upton Park to spectate. Although in future years I’ds follow the race on my bike. Goonies-style.
I think the course was a two-lapper. Unfortunately, I can only remember some of it. But I’d like to jog it next time I’m in Slough.
Maybe you’ve listened to my Slough Triathlon Tour podcast episode. I’m now reminded that I need to re-record some of the audio. As I was using a new machine and hadn’t quite got the gain settings dialled.
I was going to add Upton Park to the tour. To get the start / finish of the marathon. And the Slough BMX Track. That’s located within the park. But I decided to keep the route 100% triathlon focused.
I’m guessing the last edition of the race was in 1989. Sadly.
Image:
Athletics Weekly (UK) 31st March 1984
Bonus: 1987 Dave Scott Clinic In Cambridge
Here’s the third of four bonus blog posts to go with the latest podcast episode. TSP24: Season Openers Part 1.
I’m a huge fan of Dave Scott’s book. I talked about it in TSP19. But at the end of 1987 I was just discovering triathlon. So wasn’t in the loop enough to find out about his Cambridge clinic.
Dave had just won his 6th Hawaii Ironman title. And 1987 was a great one visually and for story-telling. Mark Allen details it well in chapters 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Total Triathlete. IMO it’s better than 1989’s Iron War. Don’t cancel me.
I like Peter Jack’s report below though. My hightlights:
Dave had a briefcase.
Dave’s bike-fitting technique. I use something similar. Comfortable. Intuitive. Relaxed power.
Get very fit on the bike to run well in triathlons.
I like to lift. So does Dave. He spends a lot of pages on this in Dave Scott’s Triathlon Training.
Images:
Tri-Athlete (UK) Nov-Dec 1987
Tri-Athlete (UK) July 1988
Triathlon Ireland (IRE) Summer 1988
Triathlon’s Triple Crown 1988
I’ve already covered the Triple Crown from 1985, 1986 and 1987. In 1987, Triathlete (USA) also produced a Triple Crown Preview. But as I haven’t done one for a while, here is a Triple Crown Primer.
Triathlon magazine started using the term Triple Crown in January 1986. At the end of the 1985 season the USTS moved their final to Hilton Head. It had been in Bass Lake in 1983 and 1984.
This meant the most competitive races in the world (Nice, Hawaii and Hilton Head) were all with a few weeks of each other. And a lot of the top athletes would be racing all three.
I initially thought the use of the term Triple Crown was inspired by the Triple Crown Of Surfing, started in 1983. But it probably came from a series of horse races in the USA, dating back to 1919.
In 1988, Nice was on the 25th September, Hawaii the 22nd October and Hilton Head the 12th November. So a 7 week spread. In 1985, 1986 and 1987 the series had lasted only 4 weeks.
The beginning of the end for the Triple Crown? IMO definitely.
Nobody doubted that Nice and Hawaii were still the two most competitive races there were. But Hilton Head could now be contested.
In 1985 ETU started hosting Olympic Distance championships in 1985. And the level was building there. And the 1987 Perth unofficial-worlds and the 1988 nearly-worlds in Kelowna had stacked fields.
Finally. In 1989 Nice moved to June Hilton Head would have a controversial, draft-ruined, edition.
But here’s my highlights of the 1988 Triple Crown:
Only two athletes got top 10 in all three races. Scott Tinley (3rd in Nice, 4th in Hawaii and 7th in Hilton head) and Ken Glah (5th in Nice, 3rd in Hawaii and 4th in Hilton Head).
Some other impressive long / short doubles were: Colleen Cannon (4th in Nice and 1st in Hilton Head), Paula Newby-Fraser (1st in Hawaii, 6th in Hilton Head), Mike Pigg (2nd in Hawaii and 1st in Hilton Head), Laurie Samuelson (10th in Hawaii and 8th in Hilton Head), Mark Allen (5th in Hawaii and 2nd in Hilton Head).
Rob Barel was the first European athlete to win Nice. Barel past Nice results. Great bike. Really hanging on in the run. Already on podium. 3rd in 1985. Isabelle Mouthon would be the first European female winner in 1993.
There was great field in Nice. Except 5 time winner Mark Allen and 1987 winners, Kirsten Hanssen and Rick Wells. Paula Newby-Fraser, 3rd at Nice in 1987. All were focusing on Hawaii.
CBS didn’t renew their broadcast contract with Nice. This caused some sponsors to pull out. Rumors also suggested that owners IMG were losing interest in the event. Was the end in sight?
Nice increases the swim distance from 3200m to 4000m. This would be distance used in 1989 and then through the 1990s.
Scott Molina had some administrative problems in France. I won’t go into details here. But everything is in this video.
Erin Baker was back in Nice in 1988. She won in 1985. And then got DQed in 1986. Was her absence in 1987 a boycott or a shadow-ban for critisizing the race? In 1988 Scott Molina was calling her training partner. Rather thatn girlfriend. BTW. This 2021 Babbittville video is absolute triathlon history gold.
Keith Anderson is featured in the Nice report. He was Mr Speedo in chapter 12 of Mark Allen’s book Total Triathlete.
Super-duathlete Liz Downing got 10th in Nice. Shocking swim.
Kirsten Hanssen had a fractured wrist and raced Hawaii in a cast. They joke about it in the first paragraph of the report.
1988 was the 10th anniversary of the first Hawaii Ironman. But actually the 12th race. Eight of the fifteen starters from 1978 had been tracked down and invited back.
Rick wells apparently didn’t train enough on aerobars before Hawaii. Strange. He’d had some SCott DH since mid-1987.
At the pre-race press conference in Hawaii it was announced that Dave Scott wouldn’t race due to a knee injury. Mark Allen and Mike Pigg became the new favourites with the bookies. Few journalists were betting on Molina.
Erin Baker was the women’s favourite after an excellent season. 1st at Gold Coast, Kelowna, Vancouver and Nice.
I remember being very happy at the time when Molina got his Hawaii win. He’d won so many races at all distances. Over 100 career victories I think. Of course, he won 4 consecutive USTS Finals (1983-1986) but never got a global Short Course title.
Great results for the British women. Sarah Coope was 3rd in Nice and Sarah Springman was 7th in Hawaii.
Yes, yes. Lance Armstrong was a big deal in triathlon from 1987 to about 1990. I’ve done one blog post. More to come.
Paula Newby-Fraser won Hawaii and the overall USTS. Has that ever been done? I’ll check. Maybe Dave Scott in 1982 and / or Joanne Ernst in 1985. Newby-Fraser needed to finish ahead of 1986 and 1987 winner Kristen Hanssen in Hilton Head to win.
In Hilton Head the race organisers sent Rick Wells out to test the severity of the current. They decided to flip the course direction. Hence the quick swim times
I was a big fan of Ivy-Leaguer Harold Robinson. He finished 3rd at Hilton Head. His body of work needs a blog post. I’ll do one on Hilton Head female champion Colleen Cannon too.
From the Hilton Head report.
“Mike Pigg convincingly defended his title at the Olympic Distance while putting everyone on notice that he is primed to win at Ironman distances.”
Yet he never did. Although he still did Ironman most years. Riding near the front. Not off the front. He also never did any other worldwide Ironman events.I’m trying to find a Molina-style Nike painter cap on ebay.
In January 1988, Coca Cola CEO Brain Dyson announced an increase in the Coke Grand Prix bonus pool. From USTS $40,000 to $125,000. Probably to lure back some big names that weren’t fully commiting to the series. I have all the race reports from 1988. So maybe that will be my first USTS season round-up.
I’m still not sure how the USTS points worked. I think you could do as many races as you wanted. And keep accumulating points. There were 10 events before Hilton Head in 1988. And Mike Pigg won 6 out 8 races he entered. St. Croix and Hawaii also counted.
Images:
Triathlete (USA) January 1989
Triathlete (USA) February 1989
Bonus: Tri-Athlete (UK) July 1988: The Other Pages
Here’s the second of four bonus blog posts to go with the latest podcast episode. TSP24: Season Openers Part 1.
In TSP24 I said that outside of the three big races reports, there was plenty to get excited about in the July 1988 issue of
Tri-Athlete (UK). So I’ll present those pages below.
An editorial written by Chip Rimmer. He basically wrote the whole mag back then. He explains the highlights of the upcoming season.
The story of Peter Moysey’s problems with sponsor Donohues Estate Agents in Kingston. Probably a common occurence back then for the journeyman pro trying to fund their time on the circuit.
An extensive interview with Sarah Springman. This is where I found out that she had organised the Dave Scott Coaching Clinic in Cambridge in December 1987. I’ll post some of her Running Magazine columns soon. They were great. And probably encouraged plenty of runners, me included, to get into triathlon.
An ad for the Ireland Triathlon. Which I’m 99% sure didn’t happen. Although I’ve never found an official announcement. The promotor was Patrick O’Riordan. Who also put together the Bermuda International Triathlon. More homework needed. I’ll write a blog post and talk to some people who might know.
Two clip out coupons to subscribe. For Tri-Athlete (UK) Which I did. By asking my mum to write me a cheque for £14.50. And for the US and French editions of the magazine. I couldn’t read French back then. But I’m not sure why I didn’t also get a Triathlete (USA) subscription. Maybe as a Christmas present.
The perfect gift for the teenage tri-nerd.An for Scott DH handlebars by Bike UK. They suggest that the Scott in Scott DH is Dave Scott. Very wrong! See TSP3. And the Brancale XP7 helmet. A popular choice back then. I hadn't bought a helmet yet. But the Brancale one was on my short list.
The Reebok PB was featured amongst some running shoe reviews. I never had a pair. But this lightweight racer / trainer would have suited my running style perfectly.
My first look at the classic Winning Club ad with Glenn Cook exciting some water in the sleeveless Aquaman suit. Check out TSP21 for my thoughts on this iconic neoprene offering.
The BTA news column outlined some very usefull tips for the first time triathlete. That would be me soon.
The race results started at the back. I was struck by how early the racing got underway in Ireland. March and April. I couldn't find anything near me this early in the season.
Tucked away. Without even a mini-report. The top 10s from USTS Miami and USTS Houston. What was the USTS? Who were these people? I needed to know more. Full USTS pod coming soon.
A portion of the UK calendar, from late-June to October. I studied it hard. But I couldn't find anything close enough to Slough that would allow a 15 year old to enter. So I’d have to wait until May 1989 to do my first triathlon.
Right at the back. The Tri-Stars feature. Sub-titled. Presenting the sport’s local heroes. Every month 3 athletes were featured. Not necessarily fast people. But certainly athletes on the UK scene who were following the circuit and living the lifestyle.
Images:
Tri-Athlete (UK) July 1988
Bonus: 1988 Gold Coast World Cup. Triathlete (USA) Report
Here’s the first of four bonus blog posts to go with the latest podcast episode. TSP24: Season Openers Part 1.
In TSP24 I read the Tri-Athlete (UK) version of the 1988 Gold Coast World Cup Triathlon race report. The text in the Triathlete (USA) one is identical. But I think the presentation and images are better.
I’ve also found the press release and a write-up in the feature
Great Races: Our Picks For 1988 Best Triathlons.
The announcement from the March issue of Triathlete (USA) mentions the New Big Money Races Of 1988 Category. I guess that includes
St. Croix, Ireland, Bermuda and maybe Kelowna.
Bermuda started in 1987. And I’m 99% sure that the Ireland Triathlon didn’t happen. Although I’ve never found an official announcement. The promotor was Patrick O’Riordan. Who also put together the Bermuda International Triathlon. More homework needed on that race. I’ll write a blog post and talk to some people who might know.
The cover of the August 1988 issue of Triathlete (USA) is excellent. It shows Mark Allen cycling on the Gold Coast. He’s on the Schwinn Paramount that he used in 1987. He’ll move to a Kestrel and wear a light-blue Nike skinsuit later in the 1988 season.
He’s on Profile Aero 2s here. Rather than Scott DH like in 1987. And his position looks much better. I thought in 1987 he was very low and cramped. But everybody was still experimenting on the new bars.
The inside contents page also shows an iconic Nike / Mark Allen kit. Cap sleeved vest and wide-side trunks. And pages 31-33 have 4 very cool images. A ripped Allen exiting the water. Baker cruising on the run. Tinley in full signature-kit with vest tucked in.
And Gerard Donnelly. With a great aero-position on his Scott DH. He’s also riding a Hillman. A famous Melbourne bike builder / shop. That seems to be still going. Stephen Foster also had one.
Images:
Triathlete (USA) March 1988
Triathlete (USA) April 1988
Triathlete (USA) August 1988
1988 Mike Pigg Interview
Proof of my huge tri-nerdery credentials. Above. I cycled to Mike Pigg’s hometown to take this photo. So don’t try to explain that you are a bigger Mike Pigg fan than me.
It was 2003. And I was on a tandem trip from Seattle to San Francisco. I wasn’t in Arcata for long. Just a lunch stop. In the old-school USA town square. But I liked the vibe.
There’s so many take-aways in the article below from 1988.
Here’s my highlights:
The first photo of Mike at a 1987 USTS event. Shirt-free.
So he’s wearing the Coca Cola red leaders helmet cover. He’ll put the red jersey on for the run. I was a big fan of this Basso bike with the Campag disc wheel. I wrote more about it here. And what an excellent early-aero position.Bring back helmet covers. I’d certainly buy and use one. Will definitely be part of the the TSP merch offerings.
The article is written by Terry Mulgannon. I mentioned him in TSP24. Do triathlon magazines still publish comprehensive profiles like this? Coupla thousand words there. Would modern triathletes even bother reading that? Could any journalist make Loughborough sound as interesting as Arcata?
The article is from the April 1988 issue of Triathlete (USA). So the new triathlon season hadn’t started yet. But it would be an excellent one for Mike. He raced 20 times. With 13 wins. And was voted the 1988 Triathlete Of The Year.
Going back to the west coast by bike is definitely on my travel bucket-list. Need to visit Eugene and Ashland. And will definitely pencil-in a night or two at the Arcata Hotel. According to Mulgannon, “When it opened its doors about 100 years ago, it was touted as one of the finest hotels on the coast between San Francisco and Portland.”
I didn’t know the story about Mike Pigg nearly winning the 1987 Triathlete Of The Year award. Page 103. Interesting how they work the points out. Does something like this still exist?
In my head, I used to compare Slough to Arcata. Unpopular town. But with great training terrain just outside of town. I’m still inspired by Mike Pigg. Although my training is minimalist. I like to work hard. And I’m always psyched to race. Gun to tape.
Images: Triathlete (USA) April 1988
Ron Hill Club Special Vests
I’ve only ever owned 2 tri-suits. Because I had to. An ASPTT Strasbourg one. When we were racing Division 2 of the French leagues. And a GBR one. When I did the 2017 Age Group Worlds in Rotterdam.
Apart from a couple of years when every male athlete wore swimming trunks. Maybe 1989-1992. I’ve always worn a vest and tri-shorts.
The vests started off baggy. Again 1989-1992. Then went cropped and tight for a while. Before I reverted back to baggy in 2018.
My current vest is TSV Karlsfeld one. That’s my triathlon club. Although I sometimes also wear a Tracksmith Van Cordlandt singlet.
My shorts are Castelli. And they’re really good.
I’m not a fashion influencer. But I don’t think the super-tight look is a good one. But I guess modern triathlon is about always getting more aero. And faster. Rather than enjoying a medium-pace swim, bike and run adventure with like-minded people.
I love these Ron Hill club specials. From 1982. And vests will definitely be the first TSP merch item. Spring 2026.
@oldtriathlonstuff thinks the TSP kit should be the one that is almost 100% mesh with the single green stripe.
What do you think? Hit me with your pre-orders.
Image:
Athletics Weekly (UK) 16th October 1982
Avignon Mega-Pod. Gotta Start. Part 1. Kelowna.
Out of all my unfinished podcast episodes. There’s maybe 20. Avignon is my Smile. A studio project so huge that I eventually believed it couldn’t be done. Yes. I’m comparing myself to Brian Wilson.
But I’m re-starting. As the event was an important turning point for the sport. So the story deserves to be told in long-form.
During the research, scritping and recording process I’ll be publishing my sources and what I’ve done so far as blog posts.
My aim is to go live with the episode before the end of May. Also. Please let me know if you were there. I’d love to chat.
I’ll be starting in 1988. Covering the formation of the ITF. The falling apart. And then Kelowna. That still went ahead.
Onto the spring of 1989. The formation of the ITU. The build up to Avignon. Selecting teams. Who did what preparation races.
Race day. The bus ride. The sprung start gate. The epic Canal+ live coverage. Play by play. The post-race magazine reports.
I’ll start posting my research here on the blog. To make me to read eveything again. Organise my thoughts. Write a coherent (and hopefully entertaining) script. And start recording.
So here’s Kelowna. From August 1988. The race that was supposed to be the first ever governing body santioned world championship.
I’ll post the Triathlete (USA) and Tri-Athlete (FR) reports first. Then eventually write my commentary notes below them.
Oh. When people ask me why I’m still such a huge Glenn Cook fan. I show them photo two. Absolut verrückt junge!
Images:
Triathlete (USA) November 1988
Tri-Athlete (FR) Septembre 1988
Notes From The Video:
Notes From The Race Reports:
Nike Posters
Don’t cancel me. But I am intrigued by the Nike story. I’ve read most of the books. Swoosh: The Unauthorized Story of Nike and the Men Who Played There by J.B. Strasser and Laurie Becklund is easily the best. 550 pages too. I love big books.
The Hollister and Bence books are good too. But honestly. Don’t bother with Shoe Dog. Ghost written. And not enough dirt.
I was also a huge fan of these posters and ads. If you read Swoosh you’ll find out that the Nike execs were proud of them too.
I found them again in Athletics Weekly magazines from 1982, 1984 and 1986. In case you can’t tell by the scans, Athletics Weekly was A5 back then. The Streak Zine, when I launch it, will be too.
But note that you could also buy a big version for your wall for £1.75. Not sure how big they were though. Maybe A2.
My two favourites are the Windrunner one. I had a pair of those in the Steve Cram black and yellow colourway. Those of course were the colours of Cram’s club. Jarrow and Hebburn AC. Also. The landscape looks like Watopia.
And the Nike shop one. I can see Coe, Spedding, Morecroft, Foster and Christine Boxer-Cahill. As well as Arsenal striker Charlie Nicholas, Ian Botham and ex-footballer slash TV presenter Ian St. John. Weird.
Two iconic ones from back in the day were the Peachtree one and the Lombard Street one. Here’s some back-story the Peachtree photo. So far I haven’t located the Lombard Street poster. But I’m sure I have it somewhere. Maybe check back later to see it.
Brendan Foster was president of Nike UK at the time. Later he moved to the main campus in Beaverton. It seems his management ideas were a bit too good for Buck’s team though.
Nike were also big in triathlon in the mid-1980s. Sponsoring Dave Scott, Linda Buchanen, Mark Allen, Joanne Ernst and Scott Molina. I’ll post some images here in the next few weeks.
Nike Sock Racers
Going through my Google Docs folders recently, I realised I’ve got about 20 unfinished podcast episodes or blog posts. Absolutely going to work hard on getting them out in the next few weeks.
So this page is a gathering of resources for Nike Sock Racers. The most iconic triathlon running shoe ever. I’ll add stuff to the page over the next few days to tell the story of the shoes.
From Inside The Vault:
In 1986, the Sock Racer was hailed as a serious racing flat suited for runners who race in extremely lightweight shoes. Extremely lightweight is exactly what it was, featuring a four-way stretch open weave mesh, first-of-its-kind synthetic suede straps and a polyurethane midsole to bring long-time Nike Designer Bruce Kilgore’s vision to life.
Recognised as Nike’s first attempt in minimising shoes to their essentials, the four-way stretch mesh ignited the design with the look and feel of a lightweight sock, helping pave the way for plenty of today’s lightweight, road-racing footwear. The Sock Racer has also been recognised as the first polyurethane unit sole with full-length Air cushioning.
The Sock Racer’s minimal, lightweight design also required a break-in period that was best accomplished with a pair of lightweight socks. With this in mind, Nike designer Wilson Smith designed a matching pair of socks now known as the 'Bee Socks'. The vibrant tube socks were given away by retailers to customers who purchased the Sock Racer during its initial launch in 1986.
Images:
The Runner (USA) April 1986
Roadrunner (UK) September 1985
Tri-Athlete (USA) January 1986
Tri-Athlete (FR) Juillet 1987
Tri-Athlete (FR) Juillet 1988
Triathlete (USA) March 1987
Triathlete (USA) December 1987
Triathlon (USA) December 1985
Sources:
Inside The Vault
Swoosh
Other Models:
From 1987 onwards there were other “Sock” models released. The Sock Trainer. Quote. A built-up version of the Sock Racer. The Trainer has extra heel and lateral support, with a more durable outsole. Better than going barefoot and almost as compfortable. End quote.
And the Air Sock. A lightweight shoe like the Sock Racer. But with laces rather than the clip-fastener. Available in light-blue, red and black. Maybe other colours too.
@oldtriathlonstuff had the blue ones. Scott Molina is wearing the black ones below. And Mark Allen wore the red at Hawaii in 1987.
Images:
Triathlete (USA) December 1985
Triathlete (USA) January 1988
Triathlete (USA) January 1987
1982 and 1988 Sony Walkman
I need to get a Walkman. As I’m going to collect my extensive collection of cassettes from Slough. When I visit in July. I’ll listen to them while doing some easy jogging in my neighbourhood.
I found this ad in the November 1982 issue of Runner’s World. There’s some great stuff in there. More blog posts coming up.
Image: Runner’s World (USA) November 1982
I never had a Sony. But my Aiwa was pretty good. I probably got it in 1987 or 1988. The article below is from June 1988.
I found it in the Shopping Around column of Tri-Athlete (UK). Written by, you’ve guessed it, Chip Rimmer. I was published literally weeks before we witnessed the most famous Walkman in triathlon history.
Images: Tri-Athlete (UK) June 1988
The 1995 France Iron Tour Preview
Images: Triathlete (FR) Aout 1995
I’m guessing you know by now that I’m a huge France Iron Tour nerd. I’ve already done podcasts about the 1993 and 1994 editions.
So here’s a preview of the 1995 race. It’s a quick translation of the article above. They call the 1995 race the 2nd edition of the FIT. Because 1993 was technically just a 2 day trial race. To test the concept a bit before a full launch the following year.
The main body of the article is an interview with Carole Gally. The FIT co-founder and organiser. Here we go!
Headline. Coming Soon To Your TV Screen.
Subheading: On the eve of the second edition the FIT is hoping to get its second wind. Carole Gally explains it all.
Carole. Explain how and why you had the idea to create the FIT.
The story starts in 1990. When I met Jean-Luc Capogna. He had the idea to organise a triathlon tour like cycling’s Tour de France.
Of course. We had no pretensions to make the event as big as the Tour de France. Our goal was just to get more people. And the media. Interested in the sport of triathlon.
Similarly. There was never any question of creating a gruelling endurance test. Rather the length of stages would be based on the Olympic Distance. To show competitive, high speed racing.
We then got some hands-on organising experience by starting triathlons in Grenoble and Alpe d’Huez. The idea was of course to eventually send a triathlon up the famous Tour de France mountain. Note. The 1992 Triathlon International de Grenoble was the first race to do this.
Last year (1994) when we felt ready. We launched the FIT. We decided on 4 stages in 5 days. We didn’t think we needed to, even if it might be a long term goal, to design an actual tour of France. This year we have 6 stages in 8 days. Next year it will be something like 12 stages in 15 days.
You do however want to create a Tour de France alter-ego?
Absolutely. But a triathlon one.
How long did it take to get the FIT up and running? For Example. To plan race courses and get permission from local authorities.
A full year. We started by negotiating with towns. Presenting what would be expected of them as potential stage venues. In terms of both the race and the financial commitment. We prioritised towns that already had some experience with hosting triathlons.
Once we’d come to an agreement with a town we then met two or three times before the event. From October to March we worked on finding sponsors. Only then did we begin planning the technical aspects of the tour.
How many people are involved in putting on the event?
We have 3 full-time employees. Carole Bertrand. Lucie Badoil. And me. But we also organise the Dauphine Libere 10 km in Grenoble.
In terms of the FIT we can also count on 60 or so volunteers from the team that puts on the TIGRE. Or the Triathlon International de Grenoble. They can act as local project managers or race directors.
What do you expect this year in terms of media coverage and public awareness?
We have an agreement with the TV stations France 2 and France 3 to televise Stage 1 in Strasbourg on the 20th August. Then there’ll be a daily stage summary on the programme Tout Le Sport at 8PM every evening.
On Saturday 26th August Samedi Passion will also show a look-back at the first 5 stages. And on Sunday Sport Dimanche and Stade 2 (France’s most famous sports show) will show highlights of the final stage.
We can also count on the radio stations France Info and Radio France to cover the race. As well as local and national newspapers.
Subheading: Marceau Absent
This year two big French clubs won’t be taking part. Poissy and Le Racing. Does this worry you?
I can’t say it doesn’t. Concerning Le Racing. They told me they have financial problems. Poissy however was concerned that 3 of their best athletes would be involved in the World Military Championships. They therefore don’t want to do the FIT just to make up the numbers.
If Poissy toes the line it's with a strong team. Not only are they interested in the image of the club but doing the FIT is also an expensive undertaking. About 100,000FF (€15,000). If Olivier Marceau and Serge Lecrique were available. That would change everything. For them. But unfortunately they’re not.
Is La Coupe De France Des Clubs on 17th September a little close to the FIT to allow clubs to field their best teams in both events?
No. The reason Poissy is not coming is because they can’t bring Marceau. The calendar has nothing to do with it.
The FIT now has a solid budget. What is still needed to make an even bigger impact in the sport of triathlon?
Correct.
We have a total of 800,000FF (€120,000) available and a Peugeot 806 as first prize. I think we need a few more years of experience and ironing out small problems. As well as a tour that covers more of the country.
I think in terms of media coverage and attracting the best athletes. We’re already doing a great job. The FIT just needs a bit more time to mature.
Back to me now. Ross. So where and when were the six stages?
Stage One took place in Strasbourg (my old home town) on Sunday 20th August 1995. It was an Olympic Distance race that started at 11:00.
The two-lap swim was in a lake called the Bagersee. About 5km from the town centre. The bike was a flat two-laps to the town centre and back.
And the run was 3 laps in the lake-side and in the forest next to baggersee. I think the finish was on the beach.
Stage Two was in Besancon on Monday 21st August 1995. Besancon. By the way. Is 250 km from Strasbourg. The Sprint Distance race was planned to start at 18:15. So giving time for the teams to make the drive south.
The swim was 750m downstream in the fast-flowing Doubs river. The bike was 3 laps with the pretty-tough climb of La Voselle on each lap. And the run was two laps along the river and through town.
The race moved to Vichy for Stage Three on Wednesday 23rd August 1995. Therefore the athletes had a rest day on Tuesday. To train, to chill and to make the 300 km drive from Besancon.
Note. Vichy hosted Stage One of the 1994 FIT.
Again. The format was a Team Time Trial. Swim together. Bike together. As much as possible. To maximise drafting and speed.
The clock is stopped when the first three athletes from a team cross the line. Race start was at 15:00 and the distances were 900m / 24 km / 5.6 km. With teams leaving every 45 seconds.
Stage Four was an Olympic Distance triathlon in St. Etienne on Thursday 24th August 1995. With the race start planned for 15:00.
The swim was at the Saint Victor Dam. 12 km from St. Etienne town centre. The bike was then 2 laps between Saint Victor and the village of Roche La Moliere. And was described in the preview as vallonee. Or rolling. The run was 3 laps back at Saint Victor. Around the Base Nautique and the village.
Now let's look at Stage Five. 150 km away from St. Etienne. In Grenoble. Again. A town that had a stage in 1994. A sprint triathlon starting at 19:00 in the evening was planned.
The swim was again supposed to take place in the Isere river. Listen to TSP8 to hear Scott Molina talking about how fast the flow was. In fact, the race preview even states that the river has strong currents.
However, there was a big change to this stage due to the river conditions. More details when I go through the race in a future podcast.
The bike was due to be two laps. With therefore 2 laps of Le Col de Vence. Which is a pretty steep, semi-urban climb. With a tight, technical descent. Then a two lap river-side run.
The final stage. Stage Six. Starting at 10:45 on Sunday 27th August. So the athletes had another rest day between stages 5 and 6. Although it was only a 50km drive between Grenoble and the race start in Vaujany.
The race was another Olympic Distance race from the EDF Lac Du Verney to the top of Alpe D’Huez. Which is listed as 1100m of positive denivele. The pre-race guide says the swim was 500m. But I think that’s a typo. The run was again 2 laps in and around the village at 1850m of altitude.
I’m pretty sure it was the same route as the 4th and final stage in 1994. However, in 1994, if you remember, they used a time trial start based on general classification times after the first 3 stages.
So. Who planned to take part? Let’s take a look at the teams together.
Note. There were changes. Which I’ll go through in the race reports and results in that future episode. Here’s the 10 teams.
St. Quentin en Yvelines. A triathlon club from the suburbs of Paris. And a regular season FGP team.
Simon Lessing (GB). Last year's FIT winner.
Todd Voss. An Australian pioneer of racing in France. In fact, he’s still living and racing in France.
Thierry Henry. 48th in 1994. Not the footballer. But Brittany’s big hope. He was and maybe still is a neighbour of my wife’s uncle. In Saint Marine. Just outside of Quimper.
Alain Vigne (FR). 20th in 1994.
Emmanuel Dubreuil (FR). 44th in 1994.
Stephane Jansoone (FR).
Assystem. A company that would later sponsor Simon Lessing’s Tricastin FGP team. But here just funding a composite team for FIT.
Mike Pigg (USA). 2nd at the FIT last year.
Jimmy Riccitelo (USA). 9th at the FIT in 1994.
Scott Molina(USA). 1988 Hawaii Ironman winner. 8th at the 1994 FIT.
Nate Llerandi (USA). Former age group sensation.
Jason Metters (AUS). He raced the GP in 1996 when I was there.
Simon Knowles (AUS).
Point-P Triathlon Aix En Provence. Another FGP team.
Stephen Foster (AUS). 5th at the FIT in 1994.
Jean-Luc Capogna. One of France's best athletes from the mid-80s onwards. And. The inventor of the FIT. 21st at the FIT in 1994.
Frank Clark (CAN). 2nd at the FIT in 1994.
Laurent Jeanselme. Very fast swimmer. 11th at the FIT in 1994.
Patrick Charles (FR).
Either Francois Chabaud or Vincent Bavay (FR). Both established French athletes. Chabaud was 43rd at the FIT in 1994.
Athlon. A sports drink. That sponsored Mike Pigg’s team in 1993.
Ben Bright (AUS). 4th at the FIT in 1994. Also see TSP14.
Glynde Mangum (USA). Although I think he was based out of Japan for most of his pro triathlon career. Great swimmer.
Hamish Carter (NZ). Not yet 2004 Olympic Champion. But already 3rd at the 1993 World Championships in Manchester.
Darren Carnel (AUS). A regular on the French circuit at the time.
Greg Bennett (AUS). Podcaster.
Miles Stewart. Former teenage phenom and 1991 World Champion.
Arena-Bell. With six Dutch athletes.
Richard Van Diesen. Early-days triathlete. Who I’d end up running a lot of the 30 km at Nice with just a month after the FIT.
Eimert Van Der Bosch. 1993 Ironbridge Triathlon winner.
Dennis Looze. Future 2000 Olympian.
Ron Van Der Pol.
Peter Johan Dillo.
Guido Savenkoul. 29th at the FIT in 1994.
Fit For Fun. Had six Germans. But. No Hellriegel!
Ralph Eggert.
Holger Lorenz.
Lothar Leder. Who was to become the first athlete under 8 hours for the ironman distance at Roth in 1996.
Stefan Vuckovic. Future 2000 Olympic Bronze medallist.
Rainer Muller.
Arnd Schomburg.
Montpellier Triathlon. Another French club team. Boosted here by the addition of some international athletes.
Rick Wells (NZ). 3rd in Avignon in 1989. 1987 Nice winner. 2nd at the Gold Coast Worlds in 1991. And 1st in Perth. The most competitive short-course race of 1987.
Luc Annonier (FR).
Stephane Cuenca (FR).
Conrad Stoltz (SA).
Sigfried Rouanet (FR).
Pierre Marion (FR).
Andrezieux Boutheon. A suburb of Lyon. And also a regular season FGP team.
Stephane Sansorgne. 42nd at the FIT in 1994.
Remi Lancha.
Craig Watson (NZ). Founder of the Kiwami clothing brand.
Stephane Bignet. 2000 Olympian.
Marc Clough (AUS).
Sylvain Lebris (FR).
Reunion Ocean Indien. Reunion obviously being a French department. And a part of France. Albeit. Over 9000 km from Paris. I’m guessing with 4 Reunion-ites. Boosted by two South Africans.
Andre Lebeau.
Manuel Bornot.
David Hubert.
Michel Bachelier.
Glen Gore (SA). He’s on Instagram.
Harald Zumpt (SA). Met him at the 1996 World University Championships.
The 10th team is simply called Australia! They announced some strong athletes with home and away experience.
Tim Bentley. Fast runner. raced a lot in France.
Craig Redman.
Shane Smith.
Future 2000 GB Olympian Andrew Johns.
Nick Croft. Raced loads in France. Australian team in Avignon.
Andrew Carlson (USA). Part of France-Info super-team in 1994.
Finally let’s look at the jerseys available. That will be worn by the leaders of the various classifications everyday.
There are 9. Too many? We’ll find out when we deep-dive into the race reports and results. In fact, they’re not really jerseys like those awarded in cycling. They’re triathlon crop tops. That we all wore back then.
SNCF Iron Jersey. Overall GC leader.
Arena Blue Jersey. Swim leader.
Mavic White Jersey. Best cyclist.
Geant Supermarkets Red Jersey. Best runner.
Tricolore Jersey. Highest French athlete on GC.
Hertz Yellow and Black Jersey. Best daily GC progression..
Maillot Etape. Daily stage winner.
Green Jersey. Hot spots leader.
Black Jersey. Leading team.
I’m still planning to do one of the Iron Tour routes as a bike trip. Probably in the summer of 2025. Riding between stage towns. Not driving like the athletes did. And also re-creating the stages.
I’ve already punched the 1994 and 1995 routes into google maps to see how much riding would be involved with the stages and the transfers. The 1994 tour would be about 500 km. And this 1995 one is nearer 1100 km.
Note also for 1995 there was still no women’s FIT planned.
Links:
1996 France Iron Tour
TSP7: The 1993 France Iron Tour Test Event
TSP8: The 1994 France Iron Tour With Scott Molina
220 (UK) October 1995. FIT Race Report.
Triathlete (FR) Octobre 1995. FIT Race Report.
The Sun Life Great Race - A Gathering Of Resources
I’m writing a podcast episode about The 1990 Sunlife Great Race. A kind of Tour de France Of Running. I guess this links to my uber-nerd interest in the France Iron Tour. TSP7 and TSP8 are about that.
The event was 21 days long. Yikes. And only happened once. Below are the resources I’ve gathered so far. I’d love to speak with anybody else who’s studied it. Or runners or officials who were there.
The absolute best resource is Dave Mansbridge’s YouTube channel. He did the race. And has uploaded all the BSkyB coverage over 6 videos.
Links:
Dave Mansbridge’s YT Channel. He competed in the race.
February 2024 Runner’s World Article
Insta Post By Duncan Craig. Author of the Runner’s World article.
Insta Post By Mike Gratton
A Thread On Let’s Run
Article By Neil Featherby
Post On Les Croupiers RC Forum
Athletics Today serialised their coverage over 4 issues. Below. Unfortunately I only have parts 1, 2 and 4. But I’m trying to get hold of part 3. As well as find out if Athletics Weekly covered the race.
The 1988 Avignon Triathlon
I’ve already looked at Avignon in 1985, 1986 and 1987. I only read-up on these races recently. But I’ve been obsessed by the 1988 race for quite a while. The race report appeared in the August 1988 issue of Tri-Athlete (UK). The 3rd triathlon magazine I ever bought.
The author is Richard Graham. Who seemed to travel quite a lot for stories back then. Later he got into Roller Hockey journalism. And is still active on a few Vintage Triathlon Facebook groups.
The races were won by Mark Allen and Julie Moss. Three wins out of four at Avignon for both. Note. Sarah Coope in 2nd. Who convincingly beat Moss in 1987. Unlike the previous editions, the top French women were also in town. Poncelet, Delemer, Rouchon and Malherbe.
Scott Molina and Dave Scott made the trip this time. As did the American-Enigma, Tom Gallagher. I really need to speak to him. He was often in France. Had he signed for a French club?
Of course, I read and re-read the article. But I was more into the photos. There’s lots to behold. Allen’s cap-sleeved Nike kit. The gravel section. More of this needed! Caroline Heins’s Bell V1 Pro. The number trimming. And Moss’s Sock Racers.
Mark Allen also gave a speech in French when he accepted his prize. His French is pretty solid. Here’s a grainy video.
The 1987 Avignon Triathlon
I’ve already looked at the Avignon Triathlon in 1985, 1986 and 1988. Not sure why I skipped 1987. But here it is.
I don’t like using superlatives at The Streak. Yet the 1987 Avignon Triathlon was probably the first appearance of aero-bars in Europe.
The Americans had them. And Glenn Cook had sourced a pair in California. He could have ridden them in Les Mureaux or Marseille. But it’s not mentioned in either race report. And I think they would have turned some heads.
Allen, Tinley and Moss were back for the thrid time. And they’d brought former J-David team-mate George Hoover with them. The French challengers were Yves Cordier. Of course. Jean-Luc Capogna. See epic handlebar bag and tri-suit from 1985. And Herve Niquet. Who’d become the first French athlete to podium at Nice later in the 1987 season.
Yogi Hoffman was there. He’d won the 1986 Le Coq Sportif European Series. Loads more info on that coming soon. And Glenn Cook was also in town. Would 1987 be the year he started to show his world-class credentials?
Julie Moss had won the women’s race in 1985 and 1986. But with Sarah Coope toeing the line. She finally had a serious challenger.
But the triathletes weren’t the only Americans in the region. As the night before there was a Cowboy Rodeo in Nimes! These old-school race reports are brilliant. I really need to do a full translation. Coming soon!
It’s interesting that the report says it’s not often you get the best in the world on the same start-line. Americans and Europeans. Nice and Hawaii of course. And the Perth race that happened in January. But in 1987 the sport was needing a governing body to put on true World Championships!
Mark Allen had already decided not to do Nice in 1987. To try and win his 6th title. So he could focus 100% on Hawaii. A race he’d not yet won.
But Perth showed that the Americans could finally be beaten. However, Mark was still repeating the “out of season” excuses from back then. While doubling down by explaining that he’d won in Dallas the week before Avignon. Where Perth winner, Rick Wells, got third.
The swim is downstream in the Rhone as usual. With the fastest route in the middle of the river. Through the 4th arch of the famous bridge.
There’s also a pollution kerfuffle. As some athletes had been ill recently after river swims. Capogna, Cordier and Hoffman took pre-race
anti-diarrhea tablets just in case.
Mark Allen crashes in transition trying to get his feet into his shoes. Yes, yes. We used to ride in transition. Allowing Glenn Cook to overtake him. And begin the pursuit of Yves Cordier.
Due to the downriver swim the gaps are not large. Hoffman is slowed by a cold and Tinley is having rear wheel problems. But Coope is flying. Note. No Scott DH for her. Weird. I’m pretty sure she had some.
Allen, Cook, and Cordier lead. Keeping, it seems, 100m apart. Allen and Cook are the better climbers. Cordier catches up on the descents. Tinley fixes his wheel and is moving forward. So is Capogna.
The athletes are now afoot and it’s raining. Allen is worried because Cook has a reputation as a fast runner. He’s not scared of Cordier though. However, it only takes a few kilometres for Allen to drop Cook.
Excellent run by Tinley. He gets 3rd. Cordier hangs in there for 5th. And Sarah Coope wins easily. I think the times in the results are wrong.
There’s definitely some very cool photos below.
Shirtless Tinley on a Raleigh with the new Scott DH and Oakley Eyeshades. Mark Allen on the steel Schwinn with the blue and grey iconic Nike kit. Also wearing a Bell Stratos. Glenn Cook with Cinelli head-fairing, Scott DH, Oakley Frogskins and a Le Coq Sportif tri-suit.
I’ve also posted the results. Note. Rodolphe Von Berg down in 14th.
Images: Tri-Athlete (FR) Juillet 1987