Sunshine Coast Daily Wednesday, September 10 Home hunting ground FRESH from being schooled by former dual world Ironman champion Chris McCormack, the time is now for Casey Munro. He’s currently preparing for Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast and is primed for a big performance among an outstanding professional field in front of his home crowd. “A win is the only result I’d be happy with. I’m optimistic, i think i can do it,” he said. To Page 2 '#&!$!&"% Email us: [email protected] News Casey and Sunshine Coast band IRONMAN 70.3 SUNSHINE COAST Wave starts 5.55am - pro male (black caps). 5.57am - pro female (white). 5.58am - paratriathletes (pink). 6.03am - 30-34 male (blue). 6.08am - 18-34 female (purple). 6.11am - 35-39 male (a-k, orange). 6.14am - 35-39 male (l-z, yellow). 6.17am - 45+ female (green). 6.20am - 50+ male (pink) 6.24am - 35-44 female (blue). 6.29am - 40-44 male (a-k, purple). 6.34am - 40-44 male (l-z, orange). 6.39am - 45-49 male (yellow). 6.44am - 18-29 (male green). 6.50am - teams (white). From Page 1 The former cyclist has turned his attention to triathlon and enjoyed impressive results. “I live at Mooloolaba now having come up from Melbourne a couple of years ago. When i first came here i met Jason (Crowther) at Atlas Triathlete Casey Munro of Mooloolaba (front right) readies himself for this weekend's 70.3 Multisports when i started event with support crew (left) John Smith, Nathan Shearer, Jason Crowther and Bernadette going there for training,” Casey Bridger. Photo: Iain Curry said. “I’m just back from nine conduct themselves in training. as well as former world champ say it was the best crowd out weeks in Thailand, the It’s priceless really.” Pete Jacobs. of any event i did, and i Philippines and Germany, At the inaugural Sunshine But with the strong training compete all around Australia. In racing and training with Pete Coast 70.3 event last year, base behind him, along with a Mooloolaba the town gets Jacobs, Caroline Steffen and Casey finished third. legion of supporters set to be behind sport and triathlon really Chris McCormack. Being This year he races tougher wearing “KC” branded gear, well, and when half the crowd around people like them if competition, with the crack the home ground advantage is cheering for you it helps you you’re like a sponge you’re field including highly regarded could propel him to new push harder,” he said. always picking things up, so i New South Welshman Clayton heights. “You want to do well for your paid attention to what they Fettell, Olympians Courtney “Last year with the first race friends who are waiting at the were doing and how they Atkinson and Brad Kahlefeldt (70.3) here in Mooloolaba I’d finish.” )*&&!"%*('$# !$%#!&$"" 4,66 8155*30+( ,*33032 #37 31)51*3+#03 "0.6 2,1*/ K< 2FN GH)"<1 5<2 D<<& IN= 2)=< HD)?<4*J27<H H-< ?J"5<H)H)E<N<11 IN= (F1H <N(JB2FNN)N7 J2 "JFNHI)N @)&)N7 )N I9FN IN= 2<$IC<= 1J?)I$ 1<HH)N74K<3=$JE<BJF HJ (J)N F1: 813+#8+5130-*6 1, 5#++ +1 26+ ,*33032 !&$$ '%$ $&' -HH51>..DDD49I?<@JJ&4?J".5I7<1.'$I11+%JF1<+#JFNHI)N1+ !FNN)N7+#M,+'2JF5.6;L;A08;660L8/A Page 2Sunshine Coast Multisport Mecca, September 10, 2014 News Email us: [email protected] Macca inspires desperation to win By JOE FLYNN “XENA” is finally ready to unleash her wrath on the world. Four years as the bridesmaid and a switch to a coach who owns a pair of world titles have equipped Sunshine Coast-based star Caroline Steffen with the tools to finally become the world’s top female triathlete. As she prepares to race in Sunday’s Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast, Caroline has revealed she is more confident than ever just weeks out from another Ironman World Championship appearance. “I’m actually ready in the head to win,” she said. Caroline Steffen is all set for this weekend's 70.3 Sunshine Coast. Photo: Brett Wortman “In the past maybe i wasn’t ready. Even though i might 2007 and completed a rare 2010, altered her training the best runners in world have been able to win, i wasn’t double in 2010.. methods under Macca. triathlon, but even the minutest really in a certain situation Caroline, the runner-up in A varied routine of shorter improvement may prove the where i needed to win – i was 2010 and 2012, also hopes to training blocks has the difference between another quite happy with second. make it fifth time lucky when 35-year-old feeling the freshest second place and a maiden “This year i am different.” she competes in Hawaii on she has in her triathlon career. world title. The 178cm former national October 11. The new coach has also Macca’s biggest influence swimmer and cyclist for The shared experience of a worked on her running, which may come between the ears, Switzerland, who is nicknamed world championship silver has has come a long way since her where the 41-year-old is “Xena” because of her given the pair a connection that step away from the pool eight inspiring his charge to push warrior-like stature, has long extends beyond the normal years ago. herself to another level. had the ability to test the best understanding between coach “I pretty much started “I spoke to him last week triathletes on the planet. and athletes. running in 2006 and i ran 1km about what it was like to finally But her newfound mental “He came back and won it up and 1km back and i was win and it’s interesting – I’m strength comes from a decision twice, so he know what it sore for a week,” Steffen said. watching and asking these earlier this year to hire coach takes,” Caroline said. “When you are swimming, questions and his eyes just Chris McCormack one of the “He understands and it’s you never really run. If you see start to get a bit shiny and he few triathletes to twice conquer good to have that connection, a swimmer running on the got kind of a bit of emotional the legendary world athlete to athlete and not so beach it’s terrible. just remembering that moment championship course in much coach to athlete.” “And when i was cycling, when he got around the last Hawaii. Caroline, who was on the running was never an option corner and finally did it,” Like Caroline, Macca’s Swiss national swim team for because you had to save your Caroline said. highest finish in his first four 10 years and had two years as legs for riding, so it’s something “He understands what it’s attempts was second, before a professional cyclist before I’ve had to work on.” like to come second in Hawaii he broke through with a win in switching to triathlon full-time in Caroline has become one of and come so close to winning.” Sunshine Coast Multisport Mecca, September 10, 2014 Page 3 Email us: [email protected] News John Searston of Have Fun Tours is seeing a surge in mountain bike interest across all ages. Photo: Barry Leddicoat Riding a wave of popularity By GRANT EDWARDS ages. The best thing about it is social days with some of the TOP TIPS you don’t have to go fast to clubs, Noosa Trailblazers and PEDAL power is gaining have fun.” Sunshine Coast Bushrangers John Searston’s key advice momentum like never before. John said there has been a have social days.” for new mountain bikers: ● Entry level bikes start from Last year, bicycles outsold noticeable increase of older Among the benefits of about $550, which include cars for the 14th year running riders keen to have a go. mountain biking is safety. You front suspension, hard-tail with almost 1.4 million wheeled “A lot of people get put off by only need to worry about the aluminium frame with disc out of shops. mountain biking because they track ahead, with no cars, brakes – but you still get what While there is strong surge get the picture of careering trucks or buses. you pay for. toward road riding, mountain down a hill. They think it is It’s also a great family activity, ● Join social days with local biking is also being embraced going to be dangerous,” he while people of all fitness and riding groups, such as by people of all ages. said. skill levels can participate. Bushrangers MTB and Noosa John Searston is a veteran of There is currently great Trailblazers. ● Get out and have a go, your off-road riding and now runs beginner tracks at Wooroi and “The best thing riding skills and fitness will Have Fun Tours on the Coast. at Ewen Maddock Dam, just off improve rapidly. He said the sport is about it is you Mooloolah Connection Road. flourishing like never before, Work is also underway on a closely with QPWS, and have with the Sunshine Coast don’t have to go 5km novice loop at Parklands, just started a major directional bolstered by having some of as well as a 10-15km family sign project at Parklands and the state’s best locations such fast to have fun.” loop at Beerwah State Forest Wooroi. as Parklands near Bli Bli and “Think of it more as forest which will be accessible via the Funding for that project was Wooroi at Noosa.