Pyrenees training camp - the date for this is being fixed as 18th-25th April 2009.  See Susannah's item in April's ITCH for further details, and contact Susannah as soon as possible if you want to book a slot.

We are short of volunteers to help with the Ipswich Junior Triathlon on Sunday 24th August from about 9.00am until midday. Many people who originally offered help are now unable to do so.

If you can help please step forward by contacting Simon Palmer at simon.palmer@talk21.com as soon as possible.

• the new club champions
• Culford race director's report
• reminder about making your mind up NOW if you plan to enter a European Ironman in 2009
• advance notice of AGM on 13th November.

We need approximately 40 race day volunteers for the Culford Triathlon to run smoothly.  Currently only 17 people have emailed their confirmation for race day, which is insufficient to run the race.

So this is a big plea to club members to offer their support for the race on Sunday 27th July by volunteering to help. Could people please contact Derrick Smith ASAP at  derrick.smith@bt.com to volunteer their help.

Note - we have plenty of volunteers for race set up on the Saturday. It is race day itself that needs more volunteers.

Club championships - we had a very successful time of it at the Norwich triathlon, bringing home a major podium place and numerous age-group wins.  Well done to everybody - even the club member who thought it was a horse race.
If you were there, please send me a paragraph or two (or more) for ITCH...

Tour de France mini-league - Ant "Swiss Tony" Birt has set up an "Ipswich Tri Club" mini-league in Eurosport's fantasy TdF competition.  If you're interested, register and submit a team at http://fantasy.tour-de-france.eurosport.com/ and then contact Ant with some urgency (or you'll miss out on points).

Diss duathlon pictures - see http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/ipswich.triathlon/DissDuathlon

Ipswich BC closed circuit race - 13th July - Bentwaters
Ipswich bike club have been able to secure Bentwaters Park for a closed circuit road race event on the 13^th July 2008 (Bentwaters Park is situated off the A1152 between Woodbridge and Tunstall, just south east of Rendlesham.) The circuit is approx 5.1 miles in length. This will be reduced for the youth races.
Entries will be on the line only. The first race starts at 12:15.
For more information please contact the organiser, Paul Driver pd@pauldriver.co.uk or on 07770388993.
There might be more information on the IBC website.

Juniors training day June 22nd - see it in pictures

• "June-ior special"
• reminder that the club championships - the Norwich standard triathlon - are next week.
  June 29th is the final closing date - see http://www.entrycentral.com/index.php?raceID=100057
• you need to be deciding NOW if you plan to enter a European Ironman in 2009
• Wendy's windy Windsor
• ITCH league update
• changes to kit arrangements

Social event Friday 23 May - Emily Carter has booked 15 places for 8:30 at Temptation Chinese Ipswich (all you can eat buffet).  Cost will be £10.90pp pay on night (drinks to be ordered separately at the bar, to stop any confusion).  E-mail emily.carter@fredolsentravel.co.uk  to book your place. First come first served, but Emily may be able to increase numbers if required.
Meet beforehand from 8:00 at the Milestone (formerly the Mulberry) opposite the Odeon at the bottom of Woodbridge Road.

Thursday evening "social training" sessions - May 1st Fynn Valley Run; May 8th Christchurch Park short hill session; May 15th dB’s Big Bad Turbo/Run session. (More in forthcoming ITCH.)

Invitation from the Broomhill Pool Trust - Saturday 26th April - in celebration of Broomhill Pool's 70th anniversary:

• OPEN DAY - BROOMHILL POOL 10:00-17:00

• BBQ AND PARTY - EMPEROR PUBLIC HOUSE 18:00 onwards

The Broomhill Pool Trust will host an "open day" at the pool from 10:00am to 17:00. The public will be able to view safe areas of the pool site (no swimming). There will be an exhibition of the pool, competitions, vintage cars and raffle prizes.  Entrance is free, but donations to the Broomhill Pool Trust will be welcome.

In the evening a BBQ and party will be held at the Broomhill Pool Trust's “worldwide HQ” at Emperor Public House on Norwich Road. Entrance is free, but donations to the Broomhill Pool Trust will be welcome. All proceeds from the BBQ go to the Trust.

A special "Broomhill 70th Birthday" souvenir booklet will be sold at £2.00 per copy.

www.savebroomhillpool.org

April junior training day cancelled - there have been very few confirmed bookings for the training programme so far, so Adrian has had to cancel the first training day, which had been scheduled for Sunday 13th April, at Framlingham College. At the moment Adrian is still planning to go ahead with the remaining three training days in May, June & July at Woodbridge School.

May 4th Junior Aquathon (swim, run) at Harwich Dovercourt pool - we have been invited to participate in a three-way challenge match against East Essex triathlon club and Harwich swimming/running club.  If you are interested in competing for Ipswich triathlon club, please contact Adrian.