Off-season with the stars of ITU

While many of us are still dusting off the New Year’s cobwebs, ITU’s elite athletes are busy preparing for another exhilarating season of racing.  Most have been training, some have been racing and many have been busy with life outside of triathlon. Here’s a quick update from some of the big names on the ITU tour and what they’re Tweeting about.

Australian Open tennis is a welcome distraction from the long hours of gruelling base training and a great way to unwind for some of triathlon’s best who are based in Australia for the off-season. 

Lisa Norden who swapped the chilly winter in Sweden for the warmth of Canberra, is putting her legs up to catch some tennis between hard sessions:

“tired mind - tired body today. On the couch watching Söderling, great recover activity between sessions! “(@lisanorden)

Meanwhile Will Clarke, who is on the Gold Coast escaping an unusually cold winter in Great Britain, also chipped in with his thoughts on the Grand Slam event:

“Wawrinka is the most un-fresh professional athlete I’ve ever seen…he’s very good though!” (@theclarke)

Two-time World Champion Emma Moffatt was also glued to the television set and is supporting the home nation athletes.

“I love watching the Australian Open tennis! Good luck to all the Aussies players” (@_Moffy)

In other parts of the world the Canadian team are making the most of their Hawaiian getaway to beat the winter blues. The squad is based on the tropical island of Maui, preparing for a year which is central to their Olympic qualification hopes. 

The team which includes double Olympic medallist Simon Whitfield and 2010 sensation Paula Findlay are ensuring they strike the right balance between work and play.

“One daughter asleep on my chest, the other reading on the sofa. solid training day done, looking forward to Sushi and time with Jennie.” (@simonwhitfield)

“training in Maui > school” (@PaulaFindlay)

Meanwhile, Canadian teammate Kirsten Sweetland has relocated to Australia for her off-season training:

“The island Killer run this morn, sleep, coffee and body surf, spectated beach volley ball and now sitting by the pool before another run. Life is good!” @K3Sport)

Stellenbosch is always a hotbed of triathlon talent in January and with Jan Frodeno, Emma Snowsill and Tim Don all using the South African university town as their base, this year is certainly no exception.

Frodeno gave us this update last week, about his plans to be part of a team representing triathlon at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards in two weeks time.

“Making travel plans for Laureus Sport Awards in Abu Dhabi. Can’t wait being amongst so many legends who are in it for a good cause!”  (@janfrodeno)

The Laureus World Sports Awards is recognised as the premier honours event in the international sporting calendar and the awards ceremony provides a high profile focus as stars of the sporting world come together to salute the finest sportsmen and sportswomen of the year.

After Snowsill’s emphatic win in Budapest, she turned her attention to some of the many commitments which come with being a professional athlete. She recently launched her new website www.emma-snowsill.com, which include her latest updates, photos and more:

“So excited with my new website launch today. a big thank you to those who have put so many hours and some sleepless nights into it.” (@emmasnowsill)

After spending the first few weeks of the year training in his hometown of Pontevedra, Spain, Javier Gomez recently started a training block in the Canary Islands. The 2010 World Champion will spend the next few weeks in Fuerteventura logging some hard swim, bike and run miles, preparing for what is sure to be another exciting season.

Bevan Docherty has been adjusting to a new kind of life in “Bevy World” during the off-season.  The Kiwi has been busy balancing life as one of the world’s top professionals and as a father. Sleep has been at a premium in the Docherty household in Santa Cruz, since the birth of his baby daughter McKenna Eva.  Check out his tweet from just before Christmas.  We hope he’s getting more sleep now and is well rested for the upcoming 2011 Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series.

“My baby girl had her 2nd 8hr sleep in a row last nite. Best Xmas gift she could give me!” (@bevanjdocherty)

Check back soon, when we’ll have more updates from ITU’s best athletes.  You can follow ITU on Twitter as well at twitter.com/ITUOnline.