Wins Have Allen Fired For Top-tier Triathlon Circuit

Illawarra Mercury

Wednesday January 16, 2008

By CHRIS ROOTS

WOLLONGONG triathlete Ben Allen has shown he is ready to make a splash on the Australian elite triathlon circuit with victories in the Captain Christie and Jim Kerry ocean swims in the past two weeks.

The former ironman is aiming for the 2012 London Olympics after being picked to join the national talent identification and development (NTID) program last year.

"I was asked to come across (to triathlon) after the Coolangatta Gold and joined the NTID program," Allen said.

"I could swim and run pretty well, so they only really had to develop my bike leg.

"I have had a bit of experience on the mountain bike and it was a great chance I didn't want to let go.

"Although I'm fairly new to the sport, I enjoy it and I'm racing the elite circuit this year."

Allen's strong swimming skills will be an asset in triathlon and he should be near the front of the field at the first transition going on his wins in the Captain Christie at Gerringong and the Jim Kerry swim at the weekend.

The 22-year-old likes challenges and took on the Jim Kerry on Sunday after he had won a triathlon at Kurnell earlier in the day.

"I finished the triathlon, jumped straight in the car and came down here, so I was a bit tired in the swim," he said.

Allen completed the ocean swim from Belmore Basin to North Wollongong Surf Club in 18 minutes 50 seconds to beat teenager Mitchell Fagerstrom by three seconds with Shane Barrie third.

He will face his first real test in the sport in the Canberra Capital triathlon on January 27, with everything building towards the Australian Championships in Hobart in March.

"I've been in the NTID program for a couple of months and I'm racing as often as I can to get experience for the bigger races later on in the year," Allen said.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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