Wow, those were a long two days; up at 05:00 (which felt like 01:00 with the unresolved jet-lag), race site at 06:00 (continue subtracting 4hrs as desired), first wave off at 08:00 and last athlete home at 17:30 (or later). Add in an officials meeting at 18:00 or later.....
Still, it was a good and rewarding time out. It was amazing to work with a large team of knowledgeable officials and we feel that we learned a lot about being an official. Sometimes our life as an official is a bit like one's professional life; there's always something to learn. Just getting your undergrad isn't enough, there's then the post-grad, and the post-doc and then all the things you learn as you actually do the job rather than just learn about it, where sometimes best practices vary from the theory.
Another thing; I (the TA) felt it hard to feel welcome within Team Canada (perhaps even being actively brushed off!), but felt as though I was immediately made welcome within the officials' team. Far from being given the windy corner at the back of Arthurs Seat (there was one) as I had feared, being a "newbie" in a British Triathlon officials team, all of whom knew each other, I was given interesting roles with responsibility. It was pointed out at the debrief that this showed the international nature of triathlon and the "brotherhood" within officialing; as well as 15 BT officials there were two Canadians, two Kiwis, a Dutch, an Aussie and the TD was Hungarian. We all (literally) sing from the same hymn-sheet and while I/we were on the blue carpet we could have been anywhere, and I felt just as valuable a member of the team as the established British Triathlon officials. For this I have to thank the Asst TD John Petrades, the Chief Official Bob Newton, the Head Ref Paul Groves and the TD Lorand Kalotai; merci guys!
Here are some pics from the event (we'll post some scrappy video later). Apologies in advance for the quality; a Nokia 'phone isn't necessarily the best thing to use, but it's all we had...
Age-group morning as the sun rises over Arthurs Seat
Still, it was a good and rewarding time out. It was amazing to work with a large team of knowledgeable officials and we feel that we learned a lot about being an official. Sometimes our life as an official is a bit like one's professional life; there's always something to learn. Just getting your undergrad isn't enough, there's then the post-grad, and the post-doc and then all the things you learn as you actually do the job rather than just learn about it, where sometimes best practices vary from the theory.
Another thing; I (the TA) felt it hard to feel welcome within Team Canada (perhaps even being actively brushed off!), but felt as though I was immediately made welcome within the officials' team. Far from being given the windy corner at the back of Arthurs Seat (there was one) as I had feared, being a "newbie" in a British Triathlon officials team, all of whom knew each other, I was given interesting roles with responsibility. It was pointed out at the debrief that this showed the international nature of triathlon and the "brotherhood" within officialing; as well as 15 BT officials there were two Canadians, two Kiwis, a Dutch, an Aussie and the TD was Hungarian. We all (literally) sing from the same hymn-sheet and while I/we were on the blue carpet we could have been anywhere, and I felt just as valuable a member of the team as the established British Triathlon officials. For this I have to thank the Asst TD John Petrades, the Chief Official Bob Newton, the Head Ref Paul Groves and the TD Lorand Kalotai; merci guys!
Here are some pics from the event (we'll post some scrappy video later). Apologies in advance for the quality; a Nokia 'phone isn't necessarily the best thing to use, but it's all we had...
Age-group morning as the sun rises over Arthurs Seat
Three of the South African Junior ladies on the climb of Arthurs Seat. I felt sorry for them; it was a chilly Edinburgh morning, but temp wise it was a bad winters day in Cape Town for them and they were racing in one-piece, sleeveless tri-suits. They must have felt freezing! They were spread all over the course at the end of R1. After one loop on the bike the coaches got the first two girls to wait for the second two, who were in danger of getting lapped (out). They came together on lap 2 as a four; this was a dangerous tactic as they all could have been lapped out, but they worked together and all of them finished the race.
David and Michelle, two of the BT officials, in the finish chute during the age-group medal ceremonies. Yes, they look cold.
The motor-bikes. I was on the first one in line; big Honda Goldwing - I asked my pilot when the stewardess was coming around with the drinks! The hardest thing in the junior races was not falling asleep. The ladies race woke me up and I had to officiate in three languages; English, French and Afrikaans, four if you include Scottish English!
The officials huddle in Elite TZ
Checking bikes in to Elite men's TZ. Those two ladies got every single guy to drop his trousers!
The senior officials (L-R); John Pretrades (asst TD), Brian Hinton (Team Leader), Lorand Kalotai (TD) and Bob Newton (Chief Official).
The finishing chute
It's not "The Devil" but there was a Belgian witch on the climb. She must have spun her magic as the Belgians took and emotional 1-2 in the Elite Mens as well as a gold in the Junior ladies!
Your faithful reporter in the finish chute. The closest I'll ever get to international glory came when my oppo David and I did some sprint finishes down here early on Saturday morning to help the guys calibate the photo finish camera. At least I won the sprints!I'm not saying anything against Edinburgh (beautiful city) or Scotland, or even the UK, but the Officials and Voluntolds freebie gear was a tech t-shirt or two and the big red rain-coats you see we're all wearing. Rain-coats!
Marie-Claude Gregoire at the mount line. I think she needs a bigger whistle!
Holding the finish-line tape and trying to stay out of the shot.
A Canadian gold medalist, Mr Frakes (can't remember his first name) breaks the tape in the 40-44 category. Go Team Canada!
The Age-Group finishers medals.
As officials we are supposed to be impartial, but I still managed to sneak a pair of Triathlon Canada socks into the finish chute (besides, I haven't received my ITU ones yet. Are there ITU socks?). I recused myself from any sprint finish involving a Canadian however.....
The morning after; all the ITU scrim and the officials vests wait for their lift to Budapest.
The medals they were all fighting for. This is a Gold Medal, sweet eh? Only problem; after so many ceremonies and al right next to the finish-line (where I was stationed) I couldn' get the music (the ITU anthem I think, or maybe the special BT music?) out of my head, grrrr.That's all for now folks, I'll try and post some video later. See you all back in YHZ next week.
AD
No comments:
Post a Comment