KURT McDonald has celebrated his most productive triathlon season with a top state honour.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Camperdown College student was named Triathlon Victoria junior male athlete of the year at a breakfast ceremony at Sandringham Yacht Club on Sunday.
Kurt, 16, was recognised after a string of solid performances throughout the 2014-15 season, which included a breakthrough win at the Australian Youth Triathlon Championships in Queensland in March.
He was one of four teenagers short-listed for the award after receiving a nomination from an unknown supporter.
“It means a lot,” Kurt said.
“It was the first-ever award they have had for that, so it’s a real honour to be recognised for your achievements.
“It was my most successful year.”
Kurt snared the Australian 15-16 boys’ titles on the Sunshine Coast after clocking 36 minutes and 29 seconds in searing heat.
“I really wanted to stand on top of the podium,” he said.
Kurt, who is in the Tri Vic development program, will move up an age group when the next triathlon season begins in November.
His training will ramp up three months from the start of his next campaign.
“Even though school is busy it’s a good break when I am out on the bike or going for a swim with my teammates,” Kurt said. “It will start to kick into gear and be more serious and very strict.
“It is hard at times. Simple things like after school you can’t go out with mates because you have to train. But I wouldn’t want it to change.” Kurt trains 10 times a week in the off-season and increases his output to up to 16 sessions as preparation ramp up.
“I had two weeks’ break after the Australian championships and I am slowly getting back into it but it’s nowhere near as intense as during the season,” he said.
“At the moment it’s half an hour to 90-minute sessions and during the season it’s 90 minutes to three hours.
“It’s full-on.”