Medal for Art in U14 triathlon

20 Oct 2020

Not even driving rain and wild winds could stop Art Aitken from winning the U14 South Island Secondary Schools鈥 Duathlon in Invercargill during the recent holidays.

The stormy weather challenged the field but Year 10 Art from Julius House, wasn鈥檛 fazed, his running and biking efforts blitzing the opposition.

鈥淚 was pretty happy with my performance, especially in those freezing conditions. It was right up there with my best race this year in March, when I got second in the U14 triathlon nationals at Wanaka.鈥

He鈥檚 also enjoyed success in the U16 Canterbury Road Race where he was placed second.

Art鈥檚 a committed sportsman, having been competing in duathlons and triathlons since he was in Year 5, winning the national championships when he was in Year 8.

This year Covid-19 and the ensuing lockdown gifted 鈥渁 big training block,鈥 says Art.

鈥淭here was time for a lot of running and biking and having that period to concentrate on both really helped my performance.鈥

With his father and younger brother Ollie both involved in duathlon and triathlon, plus his own participation in the University Athletics Club, Art is now focused on the end of November and the Canterbury Secondary Schools鈥 Triathlon being held in 秀色直播church.

He鈥檚 already training four times a week in the pool, and three times a week each at biking and running 鈥 about 6k each session.

Art Aitken U14 SI Duathalon