Norman storming towards interesting triathlon season

As anticipation builds for the Guernsey 2023 NatWest International Island Games, the fast-improving competitor – who has already sealed selection – took the scalp of the vastly experienced James Travers at last weekend’s season-opening Rocquaine Duathlon.

Yet it came down to fine margins, with 13sec. splitting the two on a course that included many sections of the Games triathlon route.

On a chilly but otherwise pleasant Sunday morning, Norman had finished the opening 5.5km run with a 14sec. lead on Travers. Another 29sec. back, Dave Mosley provided more Games interest and another outside threat.

The bike has traditionally favoured Travers and after the first of two hilly 12km laps, he emerged with a small lead.

But, come final transition, his adversary was practically right on him.

That left Norman in a position to use his turn of pace over the final run, which was half the distance of the opener.

‘When he passed me on the bike, my aim was to hold on until we hit the run,’ he said after winning in 72min. 32sec.

‘It was close on the run, but I was hoping I would have the edge coming towards the end, and as it’s the first main race of the season for me, I’m so happy to get a result like that.’

Norman has worked hard on his swim and bike over the winter, putting in the hard yards for his Games debut.

‘I’m so excited, I really am,’ he added.

‘I’m really looking forward to it and given it’s at home, I’m looking forward to some local support.’

‘With us working as a team, it just brings us all on as a group – we train together and push that little bit harder.

‘We’re hoping, definitely, to compete as a squad.’

Mosley finished the podium in 73-54 after using his characteristically strong run to overtake and lead in Dave Fairbrother and Ove Svejstrup, who logged particularly fast cycles.

The women’s race unfolded in straightforward fashion, with the usually London-based Chloe Truffitt dominating a small field.

In the absence of any other Games team members, she led the way from the opening strides of the run to lead veterans Dana Ujhazyova and Claire Smit into transition.

Truffitt eventually won by nearly 9min. as the two veterans enjoyed their own little battle, with Ujhazyova coming out top.

Teenager Kiko Rocha won the shorter option for junior and novice competitors.