Just 3 short weeks since the Sprint Champs took place, the Olympic Distance Champs were held at Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Centre in Nottingham. Loughborough took a team of around 30 athlete’s, with Josh Cardwell, Luke Watson, Rob Hill and Vicky Johnston and Helen O’Neill representing the performance squad.

On a sweltering day, the girls raced first. Helen led out the swim, with Vicky in close attendance. They got out onto the bike, and Vicky put her foot down, opening up an unassailable lead. She maintained this to cross the line over 2 minutes up at the end. Helen biked well, going onto the run in 3rd, but a side strain still lingering from the sprint race, meant that she struggled , and had to settle for 4th. Great job girls!

The boys went off at 2pm, and straight away, Josh pushed the pace, with Luke and Rob on his feet. Josh had a quick T1, and after that was gone! He posted an awsome bike split, and maintained form on the run. This Josh’s second BUCS Title, so well done! Luke Watson lost time on the bike, but still came off in 4th and moved up on the run into 2nd place. Well done Luke – not quite a BUCS clean sweep, but great consistency. Rob unfortunately had to pull out after the bike, having been ill earlier in the week, but will be back in a couple of weeks in Blenheim, and is improving all the time. Robbie Hunter was next home for Loughborough in 5th, with storming Bike and run splits. This is after completing a Middle Distance race the day before!! (1900m/90km/21km). So the boys took the team title to go with the others. We will soon have an update regarding World University Selections!!