Noemie Beaulieu and Aiden Longcroft-Harris Win Inaugural National Development Series

VICTORIA—Quebec’s Noemie Beaulieu and British Columbia’s Aiden Longcroft-Harris were crowned winners of the 2019 National Development Series – a successful domestic race series launched this spring by Triathlon Canada in cooperation with its provincial sport organizations.

Beaulieu, who is training in Gatineau, Que. under coach Eric Deshaies, was rock solid in the 14-race series. Her summer resume included victories in both the individual and relay events at the Edmonton stop of the series. The 15-year-old also climbed onto the top of the podium at the Ottawa Youth Super League Triathlon in addition to finishing second at Jersey Youth Super League Triathlon.

Victoria’s Longcroft-Harris also enjoyed a breakthrough season both on Canadian soil and while racing abroad. Coached by Triathlon British Columbia’s Provincial Coach Kelly Guest, the 20-year-old was the lone Canadian to finish the Under-23 World Championship race in Lausanne, Switzerland. He also captured the Blue Jersey at Super League Triathlon Jersey. Developed through Triathlon British Columbia’s pathway, Longcroft-Harris celebrated his first career CAMTRI podium this spring in Mexico.

“We are very proud of the work all of the athletes who toed the line this summer, along with their coaches and the work the provincial partners put in to ensuring the inaugural year of this unique race series was a success,” said Eugene Liang, high-performance director, Triathlon Canada, who added the series would not have been possible without the volunteer dedication of the local organizing committees and officials. “Our plan is to continue to evolve this series with our provincial partners in an effort to meet the ongoing demands of competition so our young Canadian triathletes are prepared for a long and successful elite career.”

Quebec’s Claudie Simard, who finished second overall in total points, was the Under-23 winner. Beaulieu’s efforts also earned her Junior Female honours.

Longcroft-Harris also snagged the Under-23 overall title. William Nolet, also of Quebec, locked up the Junior Male title after finishing second overall on the men’s series.

Each of the winner’s received a 2XU Triathlon Canada clothing package in recognition of their accomplishments.

Complete National Development Series overall points totals can be viewed here.

Focused on providing more regional race opportunities for junior and under-23 athletes ages 16-23 who are making the transition into ITU racing through Triathlon Canada’s podium pathway, the newly formed series consisted of 14 identified races from within the existing provincial series. The domestic race series provided regional race opportunities to support the development of Canadian athletes and coaches.

“This development race series was a critical step forward that is required to increase the talent pool and streamline the success for Canada’s next generation of elite triathletes,” added Liang. “Experience, exposure and cost-effective opportunities to train and race are key to the progression of high-performance athletes. Through the support of our provincial sport organizations, this new-look series proved to fill the void and serve as a key talent identification tool for our national program.”

The National Development Series was designed to familiarize athletes and coaches with the ITU system through the incorporation of ITU-like points allocation, ITU-like ranking, and ITU race formats and course profiles. It will work within the under-23 and junior categories as defined by the ITU rules.

The series was divided into a four-tier system to determine points and racing requirements.

ABOUT TRIATHLON CANADA

Triathlon Canada is the governing body of the sport in the country. Triathlon Canada’s more than 22,000 members include athletes, coaches and officials from the grassroots to elite levels. With the support of its valued corporate partners – 94 FORWARD, 2XU Canada, Training Peaks, Zizu Optics, Subaru Canada – along with the City of Victoria, Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, and Own the Podium, Triathlon Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic and World Champions in all race disciplines. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit us at www.triathloncanada.com.

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