Yacht Club helps make sure Triathlon weekend is plain sailing

Sunderland is playing  host to the British Triathlon Super Series Grand Final for the first time this Saturday and Sunday - 20 and 21 August, with all the action taking place along the seafront.

The British Triathlon Super Series Grand Final is one of the biggest events in the domestic calendar, bringing together the best athletes from the sport's performance pathway alongside the opportunity for the local community to experience swim, bike and run for the first time over the weekend.

Sunderland will see British champions crowned at Senior, Junior and Youth age groups as well as hosting the Inter Regional Championships for the best 11 to 14-year-olds from across the country as athletes race in both individual and the exciting mixed relay format with teams of two females and two males battling it out.

There's also a fantastic opportunity for families and adults who are new to swim, bike and run to take part in The BIG Swim Bike Run Family and The BIG Swim Bike Run Adult events on Sunday alongside the first ever super sprint triathlon qualifier for age group athletes wanting to represent the Great Britain Age-Group Team.

After playing a major supporting role during the Tall Ships Races four years ago, Sunderland Yacht Club is once again helping out - this time hosting event control for the triathlon and helping with swim training sessions in the run up to the event for those taking part.

Councillor Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "After doing such a sterling job during the Tall Ships Races four years ago, Sunderland Yacht Club has again come up trumps with their support for the triathlon Grand Final. They've been incredibly supportive and we very much appreciate their help.

Commenting on the club's role, Yacht Club Commodore Liz Arkle said: "In the run up to the event we've done quite a bit of water safety for some of the young development squads just to get them familiar with the course and the British Triathlon Academy have had a few swim training sessions at the yacht club.

"We've had quite a bit of involvement in Go TRI in the past so it's not new and as the event closes off the club for normal use it's good to have it used for a different water sport."

Liz, who is a teacher at New Silksworth Academy in Sunderland, has been sailing since she was 10 years old.

She said: "We're a members club run by volunteers. A lot of people think we're a bit posh because we've got yacht club in the name but we're not. We're just a group of people who love being on the water in all sorts of different ways.

"We've got some members who have kayaks, paddle boards, wind surfers, smaller dinghy sailors right up to big yacht sailors and we've got complete beginners who have only joined us in the last year, right up to people who've done Atlantic voyages on yachts, so there's a vast array of experience and in general it's all just people who want to be out on the water.

"We've got the ideal spot down on the front. The views from inside are absolutely fantastic, people get a bit blown away by them. We sail regularly and people get together regularly socially. Everyone is welcome to come and visit and see what they think.

"Generally it's just a really friendly bunch of people and if people fancy it, just pop in on a Saturday or Sunday and speak to anyone.

"I think this is a really good time for sport in Sunderland, the council is really supportive and really want to push the big events which is great because I think sometimes people think if you host big events it's for the competitors, but actually it inspires so many people to give things a go.

"I know with this one, there's a lot of opportunities for people to try things and have a go and I think in Sunderland in general it's a really good time to be trying to run a sports club. There's a lot of support there from the council but also people are willing to try stuff and if you can just hook them in and get them to do it. I think it really is important that people are active."

For everything you need to know about the British Triathlon Super Series Grand Final, including FAQs, a spectator map, running order and food and drink guide, visit:  British Triathlon Super Series Grand Final 20-21 August - MySunderland