With little time to go until the paratriathlon and age group racing gets underway for the 2009 ITU Triathlon World Championships, amateur competitors from across the globe will start to make their way to Australia’s Gold Coast.

What to Expect
Despite it being the winter in Australia, the weather will still feel warm. With the Age Group, paratriathlon, junior, under 23 and Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Series Grand Final, as well as the ITU Aquathlon World Championships all taking place, it’s going to be a busy week of racing.

Gold Coast is regarded as the Mecca of triathlon and you can be assured that the Aussies will be looking to race and party hard. With Emma Snowsill back racing on home turf following her Olympic gold medal in Beijing, excitement could be reaching fever pitch levels, and if Emma Moffatt and Brad Kahlefeldt continue their run of fine form it could go through the roof. Expect topless guys, bikini clad girls and plenty of inflatable kangaroos!

Conditions
Sun, sun, and more sun. Hopefully a gentle sea breeze will be blowing in over the Great Barrier Reef providing some respite for the athletes once they are out on the course, although conditions are not expected to be too overbearing.

Sun tan lotion or blocker will be a necessity, especially as the swim is likely to be a non-wetsuit affair. Plenty of liquids will need to be taken in on the cycle to replenish supplies and electrolyte replacement will be a top priority to prevent cramp. A cap for the run should keep the sun off the face and wick sweat away from the forehead.

Age Group Course

Rather than risk the swells of the Pacific, the swim will be held within Southport Harbour, protected from the waves (and sharks). With a single lap point-to-point and non-wetsuit swim expected, the stronger swimmers will look to take full advantage.

Racing up the Gold Coast Highway, the cycle should be flat and fast, but with a few technical elements, such as chicanes and the odd hairpin. Pedal power will be the name of the game, and if you can handle the heat build up around the cranium then an aero helmet may well be the way forward.

The long out and back run offers few opportunities to hide from the competition. Like the cycle it will be flat and fast, however there are a few tricky corners to navigate as the course winds alongside the harbour

Age Group Media Services
• Live Timing – Follow your athlete live as they race against competitors from all continents.

• Live Finish Video – Have your fans follow you through the timing system and then watch you live as you cross the line at the ITU Triathlon World Championships all the way Down Under.

• On Demand Finish Video – Want to see your finish again and again? Simply type your name and relive your moment of glory. Available several days post event.

• Results Posted to triathlon.org – Your times are recorded in the ITU history databanks and displayed forever.

• Action Pictures - Professional photographers will be based throughout the course to capture shots of every athlete.

• Gallery of Best Shots on triathlon.org – Elite photographer Delly Carr will be out on course to capture the best of the Age Group event.

• Age Group Video Highlights – Keep an eye out for the ITU TV crew and be part of our Age Group highlights and in with a chance of being featured in our TV show.

• MyStory – Send us your story of your journey to the Triathlon World Championships and be in with a chance of winning prize packs. Click here for more details.