Australian representative triathlete Lorcan Redmond says he is eager to finish school and begin full-time training after placing fifth in the International Triathlon Union Junior Men’s World Championship at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Redmond, who can still compete in the junior (under-19) division next season, said Saturday’s triathlon was a tough race in difficult conditions but an experience that will leave him in good stead for future years.
The 18-year-old told the Newcastle Herald he was happy with his performance but was without the “race fitness” of European competitors who were coming off their domestic racing season.
“It was hot, and it was windy and the water was choppy,” he said. “The swim and ride in particular were really hard.”
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Redmond was well within the mix for a medal on the Gold Coast but fell just short at the end of the race in the 5km run.
He finished the race in 53 minutes and 21 seconds and had one of the quicker times in the 20km cycle after a difficult start to the race in the 750m swim.
“The boys were really rough in the water,” he said.
“There was lots of dunking, and kicking and scratching. It was a rough swim.
“But I got out onto the bike and it was hammer and tong the whole way. I entered the transition and led the first bit of the run but I kind of just faded in the end.”
Competing in front of family and friends during the rare occasion of the Triathlon World Championships being held in Australia, Redmond said it was nice to enjoy home-soil support.
He had competed in the ITU Junior World Triathlon Championship last year, when it was held in the Netherlands, and is still eligible for the junior division next year.
Redmond said he hopes to use the experience of both races to build on the weekend’s result in 2019.
But for now, the Newcastle Grammar School student will shift his focus to completing his Higher School Certificate before committing his full attention to the sport once the school year concludes.
“I was happy with how it went. I raced hard and I think that’s all you can ask for at the end of the day,” Redmond said before boarding a flight home from the Gold Coast on Monday.
“Tactically I could have raced better, but it was just that fine-tuning and lack of race experience this year due to the couple of months away from the races. Physically and mentally I gave everything 100 per cent.
“I’m just looking forward to getting home and putting in a couple of months solid work before the Australian domestic season and then preparing for some European races next year because I won’t be at school.
“I came 22nd last year, [now] fifth and let’s see what happens next year, hopefully it’s another step up.”
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