Have you checked out our new website yet? www.WorldDuathlon2005.com. Please spread the word!

Our December Update for the Newcastle 2005 ITU World Duathlon Championships contains the following:

New Sponsors, Key Positions, Call for Volunteers, Bike Course Profile, Feature Athletes, Event Schedule, and ITU Congress report.

Welcome to our latest Sponsors

We are delighted to welcome our three latest sponsors - NSW Sport & Recreation (Major Sponsor), Thrifty Car Rentals (Official Car Rental Supplier), and Pro 4 Sports Nutrition (Official Supplier) who will be providing on course refreshments.

NSW Sport and Recreation www.dsr.nsw.gov.au is part of the NSW Government. They are committed to providing and facilitating sport and recreation services for the people of NSW. Pro 4 Sports Nutrition www.pro4bodyfuel.com is a range of endurance specific sports foods designed especially to help give you extra energy during exercise and optimise recovery afterwards. Thrifty Car Rentals www.thrifty.com.au is one of Australia's largest and most dynamic vehicle rental companies, represented in every state, territory, capital city, major city, regional centre and commercial airport. Thrifty services over 260 locations nationally. Check out the Transport page on our website to book your care rentals for race week.

Announcement of Key Positions

We are happy to announce the appointment of three key race personnel.

The International Triathlon Union has selected Jane Seaborn as the Technical Delegate, Garry Muir joins the team as Race Director, and Jenny Mann has been officially appointed as the General Manager of the event.

Jane Seaborn is a well-known name in the Australia! n and In ternational triathlon community, having worked at nearly every major international ITU triathlon event including Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and numerous World Championships. She will bring expert technical advice to our team.

Garry Muir brings extensive event management experience in running local, national and international triathlons in Australia over the past 10 years. He has organised a number of ITU International Triathlons and Olympic and Commonwealth Games selection races. Garry was also Operations Manager for the 2003 Australian Masters Games, and Operations Manager for the 2007 World Police and Fire Games.

Jenny Mann has extensive experience in major event management and the sports industry. She is former Executive Director of Triathlon ACT, Competition Coordinator at the Edmonton 2001 World Athletics Champs (Canada), and Track & Field Competition Management at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Jenny has a great knowledge of the local Newcastle events scene through working as Events Co-ordinator for Newcastle Council.

Call for Volunteers

We need your help! To get the 'show on the road' we need approximately 200 volunteers in a variety of positions including: Administration, Entries, Website, Marketing, Media, Functions, VIPs, Volunteers, Awards, Athlete Services, Supplies, Registration, Security, Race Crew, Aid Stations, Run and Bike Course Marshals, Recovery, Results and Medical.

If you would like to help out please complete the Volunteer Application Form on our website www.worldduathlon2005.com/inside-news.html or email Jenny@WorldDuathlon2005.com All volunteers will be required to undertake event training in April, and will be required to work in their position at The Herald Duathlon Selection Race on Sunday 24th April. All volunteers will be part of the Volunteer Recognition Program which will include a volunteer thank you pack, event refreshments, post-race function, volunteer awa! rds, and certificates of appreciation.

Bike Course Profile

The athletes have been waiting for it - the bike course profile!

Newcastle recently welcomed the new Australian Duathlon Team Manager, Bob Harlow, to cycle over the elite and age group bike course.

The graph on our website

www.worldduathlon2005.com/inside-worldchamps-course.html tells the story of a very tough hilly bike course as promised. The elites have two climbs of 75 metres over 2 kilometres per lap (4 laps total), and the age groupers have three climbs of 75 metres/100 metres/75 metres per lap (2 laps total). The run course for each race is flat and fast.

This will be a real Duathlon which will require 50% training over hills for the bike, and 50% training for the run. And we promise to get awesome interactive course maps on our site after Christmas!

Feature Athletes

It is all happening! We have also added the athlete profiles to our website www.worldduathlon2005.com/inside-featureathletes.html

Feature athletes include Jono Hall, Benny Vansteelant, Tim Don, Erika Csomor, Jackie Fairweather, Greg Bennett and Emma Carney. Also included is an honour role of previous World Duathlon Champions.

Event Schedule

Check out our website www.worldduathlon2005.com/inside-calendar.html for the event schedule.

ITU Congress Report

The International Triathlon Union Congress in Vancouver in early December had representation from numerous nations. Congratulations to the ITU President, Les McDonald, who was re-elected for another 4 year term.

Triathlon Australia's Congress delegates were Chris Hewitt (TA President), Bill Daveron (High Performance Director), Jackie Fairweather (AIS Head Coach & High Performance Ad! visor), Jenny Mann (Newcastle 2005 DWC) and Nick Munting (observer).

We extend huge congratulations to our Organising Committee Members, Bill Walker, and Brian Hinton. Bill was elected as ITU Secretary General, and Brian was elected on the ITU Duathlon Committee.

Fellow-Aussie, Jackie Fairweather is the newest member of the ITU Executive Committee, and Stuart Fuller is on the ITU Technical Committee.

Other Snippets

• 2004 World Duathlon Champion, Benny Vansteelant, and his brother and U23 World Champion, Joerie Vansteelant have confirmed that they will be racing in Newcastle.
• Brett Mace has confirmed that India will send their first ever team to an ITU World Duathlon Championships.
• Australia's top Duathlete, Jono Hall, placed a credible 2nd in the Canberra Half Ironman behind Olympic Triathlete, Simon Thompson.
• The new ITU Duathlon Committee includes the Manager of this years' World Duathlon Championships 2004, Jan Daems from Belgium.

Wishing all our subscribers from around the World a wonderful Christmas

- see you in 2005!