The alarm went off at 4:50 Sunday morning in a tent near Worthing as the race kicked off at 6:30. Aim was high tide at 7:15 or so, hence the odd start time. Big swell on the sea meant getting slapped around a bit, but oddly the water was warmer 200m offshore than next to the beach. Perhaps the tide coming in over cold rocks…..
Then armwarmers and gilet for the bike due to the forecast – gilet makes a good rash vest and saves transition time – 2 races this year like this (Ah England in the summer!……). The run was up and down the seafront, with the wind and rain getting stronger each lap – 3 laps, but battling another guy meant we both finished before the rain REALLY started – think being in the shower…..After recovering and heading to pick up the transition debris, I found my aero helmet was upside down and so had two inches of water in the crown.
The race computer was rained off, but eventually I found I’d won the AG after a different race experience.