Pulse Performance finds itself at the top of the inaugural Sydney League II ladder after two rounds of Interclub 02 with Round 3 just days away.
When the ‘Rozelle Pulse’ toes the start at the 38th Nepean Triathlon, the oldest swim-bike-run race in Australia, its goal is more about participation than sheer performance according to club president and head coach, Dani Andres.
“Our goal is to get more of our athletes involved and enter more local races in NSW especially the ones in the [Interclub] Series,” Andres told Triathlon NSW. “That includes me, too. Been a while since I have entered in a triathlon. So if we get more points that’s a bonus.”
Andres, an elite athlete in her own right, formed Pulse in 1993 and has helped a myriad of successful athletes realise their potential through his unique combination of discipline and passion, coupled with the knowledge and experience from more than 20 years coaching and competing at the highest levels.
Dani has coached and developed several world-class athletes including Mitchelton-Scott pro cyclist Sarah Roy (AUS), runner and duathlete Victoria Beck (NZL), middle-distance runner Eliud Macharia (KEN), long-distance runners Irene Mogaka (KEN) and Robert Matu (KEN) and triathletes Melissa Ashton (AUS), Lisa Marangon (AUS).
Pulse has been the surprise of SL2 with a comparable points total to Sydney Premier League powerhouse and defending champion — Hills Triathlon Club (27.5). But can Pulse maintain its momentum established off a stellar start?
“That’s hard to say,” admitted Andres. “We have lots of duathletes, especially newbies in the sport this season, so I hope we can continue with the triathlon season as we have some great talent in our stables — we just have to attend the race series.”
Andres also said Pulse simply does not have the numbers as many of the other clubs in the league, making it tough to contend for the overall title.
“We are still small and so many of our members do more than just triathlon races, so can be hard to get them all at a particular race but we are trying.”
As for Pulse vice president Leone Joice, she offered a more emotional response regarding her thoughts on the club’s chances.
“You better believe it,” Joice exclaimed. “Now we’ve got an idea of how the competition works. We are all up for it. Keeping our eyes on the prize.”
With Nepean just days away, Pulse will be looking at a couple of “young guns” to prop up the club performance-wise.
“Twins Luke and Jayden Schofield, both 20 and are U23 elite, placed top three at Oceania Champs and at Nationals, so they will be hard to beat.
“We also have the Olsen-Keating siblings Emma and James — both state champions at all schools triathlon with James, 17, winning nationals and Emma, 16, top four in the country. Then our top age-grouper Richard Scolyer, 52, in the 40-plus.”
According to Joice, another one to watch is Andres himself, as well another 40-plus club member.
“President Dani Andres, 48, is always a great competitor and keep an eye out for [42-year-old] Victor Correa,” she said. “He’ll be that blinding flash up the front.”
For more information Pulse Performance, please visit the club’s official website here: https://www.pulseperformance.com.au
Or for more information on registering for the Nepean Triathlon, please visit the event’s official website here: https://nepeantriathlon.com.au
For more information on Interclub 02 or the Sydney Premier League, click here: https://nswtriathlonclubseries.com
Or for more information on joining or renewing your Triathlon Australia membership, please click here: http://www.triathlon.org.au/Membership/Annual_Membership.htm
