Four Tripleshot youth riders start racing today at the u17,u19 national track championships in Bromont, Quebec. The championships are also the selection event for the junior world championships.
The riders are Kimberly Chen, 7x medalist at 2022 nationals in her first year u19, and eligible for junior worlds. Kimberly is beginning to specialize in sprint events.
Oscar Wong is in his second year u17, and expected to do well, especially in the sprint events. He won three medals in 2022, including a surprise bronze in 500 m.
Isla Rendle is also in her second nationals, and was part of three team medals for BC in 2022.
Amos Scott-Bouris, 15, is a first year u17, and probably the most affected by the closure of Burnaby velodrome this winter (it’s reopening soon). But in training this week he’s looked fast and comfortable on the Bromont track.
The BC team is 10 riders. Lister is assistant coach in the hybrid Team BC/club project, lead by provincial coach Tom Sherstobitoff.
Bromont opened in September, replacing an outdoor velodrome purchased from the Atlanta Olympics. The frame however was reused, with a new surface of laminated birch on edge, a new surface championed by Ontario track builder Peter Junek. The riders reported it smoother than Milton, no flex, but with nice sideways grip from the laminations, meaning the steeper bankings feel secure.
The building is even more remarkable, sunny, open, with a welcoming access area, and with interesting new features like an indoor pump track, pickle ball courts, strength gym, offices, bike rentals, cafe, and seating for ~300. Approx. 1/3 the cost of Milton. It’s what we’d want here. The staff have been super welcoming, and patiently braving my French.
Wish them well!
Day 2
(I posted this earlier, but musta missed a button. Trying again. Let me know if I’m missing a moderation step.)
What a difference a day makes.
Qualifying for match sprint is a 200 m tt, and is a valued bench mark in speed, if not tactics.
Isla lead the way with a pb by 4/10 of second. Sounds small, but at 60 kph that’s 1.5 m per tenth. Isla just smoked herself by 6 m. (Wouldn't you like that in Tuesday sprint with your nemesis?).
Amos, inspired, dropped his former self by 7.5 m.
Oscar took off 2/10, ample time to do a victory salute in front of last week’s Oscar.
Kimberly was experimenting with the larger gears allowed in u19. After undergearing for the keirin, she over geared for the 200, and the wind up took too much, and she faded to a still rocket fast 12.7, but 2/10 off her pb. She would go on to find the goldilocks gear in the 1/4s.
That meant our riders were seeded high for match sprint tournament, against slower riders, and had rapid progression.
You can see all the match ups in the results link. Amos met the second fastest, but went after him and gave him a scare. But otherwise, TS riders were undefeated through to the final, except for one ride where an infraction went uncalled.
In the gold finals, coaches were trying really hard not to show our excitement. The result you know, but the moment was pretty cool. Three of four gold medals to Tripleshot members.
Thanks for the updates Lister- I’m really enjoying following along!
Awesome updates, Lister. Thank you! Wishing you all the best…
Some good results in day 1: Kimberly and Oscar bronze in keirin, Amos a big pb (11 second improvement) in 2000m. All having fun racing, but generally not peak personal performances, at least not yet. I suspect the lack of track time with Burnaby’s closure for a new roof is affecting everyone.
Amos getting his pursuit gear on. Note the track bike, donated by Tripleshotter Erin Attwell, national team daughter of Tripleshot original member Dave Attwell. This bike has won many, many nationals medals.
We’re eating well. The communal kitchen in the dorm next to the track means we can do group dinners. This tofu and baked kale rice bowl is the product of Amos, Xavier and Monty, with help from team manager Tara. All the meals have been this quality.
The dorm is like an extra nice youth hostel. Clean, good beds, well organized for food storage etc.
Practice efforts wednesday. A couple near and actual pbs already.
Live start lists and results, and timing splits.
https://tracktiming.live/eventpage.php?EventId=23006
Best of lucky to all the riders! BTW- great picture Lister!
Team meeting