By Ric Buxton

F.I.R.M. Awards Dinner Recap

The CMS/TriAngles cleaned up as a team and individually at the recent F.I.R.M. Grand Prix Race Series awards dinner. As reported in the October/November MSN the TriAngles captured its sixth consecutive Grand Prix Series Championship. The team was awarded more than $2200 for its effort.

In addition, many TriAngle team members took home individual age group high honors. TriAngle age group winners were: Jeff Beane (Southboro), Peggy Buxton (Sterling), Grace Ciocca (Holliston), Richard Hunt (Auburn), Joanne Lachapelle (Worcester), Henry Renaud (Marlboro), Meg Ryan (Worcester), Robin Sandos (Westminster), Marc Saucier (Littleton). Rich Lachapelle (Worcester), Kim Walsh (Enfield, N.H.), and Todd Webber (Boxborough) each tied for top honors in their respective age groups.

Nationals Update

Kim Walsh (Enfield, N.H.) finished 11th in her age group at the USAT National Age Group Championship in August in Columbia, MD. Grace Ciocca (Holliston) finished 12th in her age group race. At this same race, both Todd Webber (Boxborough) and Bill Riley (Marston Mills) were crowned National Champions in their respective age group events.

Need Motivation for 1998?

The F.I.R.M. Marlboro Lions Duathlon, scheduled for June 6, 1998 will again be a qualifying race for Team USA age group slots, which will compete at the ITU Duathlon World Championship in September 1998 in either Windsor, Ontario, Canada or Auckland, New Zealand. The ITU was scheduled to award the championship to the host city in November.

The Marlboro Duathlon will have two slots available per five year age group. The USAT National Duathlon Championship - with 5 age group slots available - is scheduled for July 19, 1998 in New Orleans.

For the triathlon, the USAT National Age Group Championship is scheduled for June 21 in Clermont, FL. SPECIAL QUALIFYING NOTE: Qualification for this race began on April 1, 1997, and runs through June 13, 1998. Essentially what this means is if you qualified for this year's Nationals at a USAT sanctioned race which was held AFTER April 1, 1997, then you are already qualified for the 1998 Nationals. Additional means of qualification include: past member of Team USA triathlon or duathlon are automatically qualified; qualification at a USAT sanctioned race between now and June 17, 1998. Most F.I.R.M. races are USAT sanctioned races and therefore are National Championship race qualifiers. Call the USAT National Office with any questions at 719/597-9090.

More Motivational Info

The 1998 World Masters Games, scheduled for Portland, OR., August 9 - 22 will include triathlon. The Masters Games is the largest participatory multisport competition in the world, with 25,000 athletes from 100 countries competing in 25 sports. In order to be eligible, athletes must be at least 40 years of age. Contact David Fee, executive manager at 503/226-1998, ext 227.

The Check's in the Mail

Reimbursement checks went out in early November to all 1997 TriAngle team members. In the TriAngles tradition, team members who complete F.I.R.M. grand prix races are eligible for reimbursement. The amount is based upon the number of points earned added to the number of races completed (1 point for each race completed). For 1997, this total number was multiplied by 1.5 to compute each individual's reimbursement amount. Relay team members also received a portion (1/3 or 1/2) of its relay team's winnings. The team returned more than $2000 total to its members, increasing the total purse for the past six years to more than $15,000! If a TriAngle member has not yet received a check, it's probably due to one of the following factors: no address, or wrong address. Contact TriAngle Team Captain Ric Buxton at 508/835-6100 (days) with any questions regarding the reimbursement process.

sTRIdings

Stacey Hess (Grafton) was the only known TriAngles member to complete the Great Floridia Ironman Triathlon in Clermont, FL., on October 25. Stacey's finishing time for the Ironman distance (S: 2.4M/B: 112M/R: 26.2M) was 14:01:42.

Barbara McManus (Worcester) has assumed the Multisport Representative position for the TriAngles on the CMS Board of Directors, replacing the very capable Rich Lemerise (Cherry Valley) who moved into an At-Large Board position. Barbara will also handle the TriAngles team finances.

Team Uniforms Still Available

Sandra Fitzwater reports that there are still several Reebok CMS/TriAngle team uniforms available. The uniform - at $25 - consists of a silk screened racing singlet in white, navy blue and gold, along with a pair of navy blue 1/2 split shorts. The singlet or shorts are available at $15 each. What a lovely holiday gift idea for your favorite multisport athlete. Contact Sandra at 508/892-9679.

It's Never Too Early...

to begin soliciting sponsors for the 1998 TriAngles team. Both 1997 sponsors - Vision Realty Appraisal Technologies (Northboro) and Wachusett Cycle & Multisport (West Boylston) - have signed on for 1998. It certainly helps the team provide more services to its members if more sponsors sign on. Details on how to secure team sponsorship can be obtained by contacting Ric Buxton at 508/835-6100. Any leads passed on will be followed up immediately.

And Last But Not Least

The Multisport News "staff" is always looking for contributions, written or otherwise, from team members looking to disseminate information to the club at large. Feel free to submit articles or tidbits for publication. 'Nuff ced....

revd January 5, 1998, barry