Friday, 10th of April should have been the fifth and final event of the Qatar National Triathlon Series but the ongoing circumstances have resulted in a curtailed series of only three events.

The Katara Triathlon on 8th Nov, 2019 opened the year’s open water racing. This sprint distance event had the same swim and bike routes as in 2018 and a completely new running course, thanks to the fantastic Katara hills running path. Race two was the Dukhan Triathlon (Dec 14, 2019). Dukhan offered a variety of distances: Besides Sprint and Olympic, for the first time in Qatar there was a long distance triathlon. The Series reached its early conclusion with Doha Triathlon (Feb 8, 2020). Being the country’s premier triathlon, it is always the event with highest participation and league points were available for sprint, Olympic and Qatar National Championships races, besides the super sprint race, which is suitable for new to triathlon.

With only three events now possible, a decision has been taken to revise the rules such that all scores will count for the final ranking. Nevertheless, most categories got their deserved winners. A big thank you to Tri Club Doha, Mad Triathlon and UFMBQ for their cooperation in the Qtri Series events.

Results

Although not included in the series rankings, participation of children and youths grew this year. QTF is pleased to see more young people encouraged to take on triathlon. This is a sport suited to children of all fitness levels who enjoy the personal challenge. It is also a worthwhile opportunity for young people to discover competition with no requirement to meet squad selection criteria.

Among the juniors, the youngest age group in the series, there are some great talents who already compete with the best seniors. We only wish this strength would match the number of athletes taking part. Triathlon in Qatar needs tomorrows champions! In this category we saw a reliably consistent podium – Matteo Francesci in front of Halleux and Bennett.

1. Matteo Francesci (ITA) – Tri Club Doha 717.04
2. Liam Halleux (FRA) – Tri Club Doha 424.71
3. Ethan Bennett (GBR) – Millfield School 250

In Junior Women, Ailsa Cameron made a clean sweep of three victories and took home the maximum 750 points.

1. Ailsa Cameron (GBR) – Tri Club Doha 750
2. Paloma Vayssie (FRA) – Tri Club Doha 250
3. Emilie Jaynne Canaria (PHI) – FitQ 231.03

The Men Open category was again dominated by last year’s winner Bernard McCullagh, in front of consistent local Alromaihi and Shillabeer. McCullagh even stepped up to the longest distance at Dukhan, which he won convincingly. However, with the series now dominated by multi-format races, he went the whole year without coming up against some of the strongest opposition; Aday Alvarez coming most easily to mind. It would have been interesting to see that fight.

1. Bernard Mccullagh (IRL) – Tri Club Doha 750
2. Ebrahim Alromaihi (QAT) – Qtri 712.78
3. Barry Shillabeer (GBR) – Tri Club Doha 694.33

Women Open’s top three ladies were separated by just a few points. None of them won a race but consistency triumphed, with Bushell coming on top.

1. Isobel Bushell (GBR) – Tri Club Doha 697.91
2. Michelle Shillabeer (GBR) – Tri Club Doha 675.85
3. Lyndall Jensen (AUS) – Tri Club Doha 661.89

Veteran men category was dominated by Enzo Fascinato, who made a clean sweep.

1. Enzo Fascinato (ARG) – Los Gauchos 750
2. 2 Ewan Cameron (GBR) – Tri Club Doha 719.19
3. Paul Crooks (GBR) – Tri Club Doha 717.89

Veteran women category was also dominated by one athlete. It is worth reminding ourselves that Pia Sunstedt has won every race she has taken part in – triathlon or cycling – in last few years.

1. Pia Sundstet (FIN) – Rasen Sports 750
2. Daniela Sposi (GBR) – Tri Club Doha 733.12
3. Andrea Stadler (ECU) – Tri Club Doha 661.89

Competition among Qataris gets stronger every year. There are more athletes training and racing than ever. National team athlete, Ebrahim Alromaihi, was the strongest in the Open Qatari category while Essa Alkuwari was untouchable among the veterans.

QATARI OPEN MEN:

1. Ebrahim Alromaihi (QAT) – Qtri 744.11
2. Abdulrahman Aljaber (QAT) – Qtri 683.09
3. Fahad Almohamed (QAT) – Qtri 489.83

QATARI VETERAN MEN:

1. Essa Alkuwari (QAT) – Qtri 750
2. Jamil Al Katami (QAT) – Qtri 659.12
3. Fahad Al Groon (QAT) – Qtri 639.43

National Triathlon Series full results– LINK

Series winners will be awarded their prizes at the first race of the 2020/21 season. Please contact QTF if you are leaving Qatar before then.

Looking ahead

Professor Nasser Al Mohannadi, Vice President of Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation: “I am delighted with the development of the grass roots of triathlon we are seeing in Qatar. QTF’s National Triathlon Series and the impressive range of triathlon and multisport events organised by local clubs are a real driver for all the triathletes in the country. Covid-19 and the necessary restrictions have hindered our operations and brought an excellent season to an early end but still we are hoping for resolution before the new season, to have a complete National Triathlon Series. However, the first big multisport milestone of the new year will be December’s Asian Cup, which will bring the sport’s elite to Qatar and the concurrent public race should be one of the most multinational and competitive ever held on these shores.”