Europe Triathlon

On the eve of the 2013 European Triathlon season, British Triathlon Federation President, Ian Howard, says he is determined to maintain British medal success.

Howard was appointed as successor to Dr Sarah Springman CBE and ascended to the role on January 1st 2013.

In many ways, Howard has the unenviable task of not only maintaining Britain’s success, but looking for ways to improve.

“I have to pay tribute to Sarah and I have a hard act to follow because of the standards that she has set for the British Triathlon Federation board over the last 6 years,” said Howard. “But I am very optimistic and determined to make a go of it.”

Howard was speaking at the President’s Conference in Warsaw, where he indicated there would be no let up in the success of British Federation.

“It’s easy to look at what we’ve achieved in 2012 as a kind of pinnacle but it would be unrealistic to say that we expect to win more medals in 2016,” he said.

“What I’d like to do is turn that pinnacle into a plateau. To consolidate and build on what we have achieved so far, so that we consistently outperform compared to the other leading nations in triathlon

“That’s obviously very difficult for us to do because other countries look to us for setting the standard and will be striving to achieve what we have achieved and be out to beat us.”

Howard welcomes the challenge from Triathlon Federations, who look to Britain to improve their own organisations and hopefully surpass their achievements.

“Well, that’s sport at the end of the day. It will keep us on our toes,” he said.

“We have to look at every possible way of continuing to perform. We must learn from each individual discipline – cycling, swimming, running. Look at British Cycling, for example, in terms of incremental gains.”

Looking ahead to next Olympic cycle and Howard is focusing on enhancing regional development squads to ensure that the depth of British talent and competition for places continue.

“Triathlon England, and hopefully Triathlon Scotland and Welsh Triathlon, will all benefit from increased funding in the next cycle,” confirmed Howard.

“They can invest more in regional development squads which means more good athletes coming through to the British National development squads and hopefully onto podium places.”

21 athletes will represent Britain across three races this weekend; in Auckland for the World Triathlon Series opener and in Quarteira for the European and Junior European Cup races.

It is these numbers which show the power, strength and presence of the British Federation but Howard wants these numbers to be reflected in performances and on the podium.

“On a national level, I would like to see an increase in our top 20 presence, and then sustain that,” he said.

“That would be the best possible way of convincing everybody that we are consistently better than we were in the past.

“I’m very excited and optimistic about what we can achieve over the next 4 years.”

BRITISH TRIATHLON FEDERATION

President: Ian Howard

For more information on the British Triathlon Federation, visit www.britishtriathlon.org