Last week was a big one for the Pacific Island triathletes and their coaches from Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Tahiti, as they experienced a training camp environment led by Ben Gathercole from Australia ahead of the Pacific Islands Triathlon Championship (PITC) in Papeete, Tahiti.

The athletes had an opportunity to access training facilities including the swimming pool and velodrome that are not part of their typical daily training environments. As well as the daily training sessions focusing on skills and technical development in swim, bike, run, coach Gathercole introduced new approaches in the learning processes, such as self-reflection and pre-race meditation. The latter helped to calm and focus mind and body before the race, release unwanted tension and anxiety and visualise a successful outcome. 

The camp has been part of the development projects of the Oceania Triathlon Union granted by the International Triathlon Union. Special thanks to Kari Lee Armour-Lazzari from Tahiti who has done an excellent job of on-the-ground management to make this project happen.

For the race results from the Championship, click here