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Pre-Season Inspiration courtesy of ITU & YouTube
The mission of Vortex Racing is to identify, support, and develop Junior Elite triathletes for regional, national and international competition by providing access to expert coaching and high-quality training and racing opportunities. ↑
A. To develop well-rounded, young men and women by providing opportunities to learn and excel, enabling them to become ambassadors for the sport and role models in their communities.
B. To increase youth participation in the sport of triathlon by raising awareness of the opportunities available to young athletes.
C. To assist young athletes in setting and achieving goals and to reach their full potential in the sport. ↑
USA Triathlon's Junior Elite Cup triathlons
are the focal point of Vortex Racing's developmental elite athletes.
These sprint-distance races follow the same dramatic, high-speed,
draft-legal format as the Olympic Games triathlon. Athletes must
possess superior swim skills, fast transitions, excellent bike handling, and
the ability to run near personal best times off of the bike.
Each year, our athletes compete for the honor and distinction of
representing the United States at the ITU Junior
Triathlon World Championships. Since 2000, we have earned over twenty
spots on Team USA.
Local and regional competitions fill out the racing calendar for many of our developing athletes. The USAT Northeast Junior Development Series brings together the region's best juniors for head-to-head competition in the non-drafting format. ↑
The Vortex Racing triathlon junior development program has two components: a USAT Junior High Performance Team (HPT) and the Vortex Racing Triathlon Club. The HPT program supports athletes who aspire to be competitive nationally and internationally as junior, U23, and Collegiate Elite athletes. HPT athletes have access to expert coaching and performance testing, as well as on-site race support. The triathlon club supports all youth and junior athletes who wish to enjoy the multisport lifestyle. Athletes aspiring to be selected to the HPT program are highly encouraged to join the triathlon club. ↑
Vortex Racing was one of eight junior teams selected be USA Triathlon in 2008 to be part of its new High Performance Team program. The objective of this program is to enhance the identification and preparation of American junior elite triathletes for international competition. In addition, the HPT program will improve the networking of similarly motivated teams and coaches nationally, thereby strengthening the overall development structure for US athletes and coaches. HPT-designated teams will work closely with USAT's national coaching staff to track the progress of their respective athletes and will work collaboratively to advance the sport as a whole.
A select group of Vortex Racing's athletes are designated as HPT members. The athletes have dedicated themselves to reaching their full potential in the sport. Vortex Racing uses its resource to help athletes achieve this goal.
Coach Steve Kelley is a two-time U.S. Olympic Committee Developmental Coach of the Year for Triathlon. Certified by USA Triathlon, Coach Steve has guided young athletes from their first races to world ranked elite status. He has directed a number of successful Junior Elite training camps and served as a Team USA coach at the 2004 World University Championships.
Coach Tim Crowley is a USA Triathlon-certified Elite Level Coach and the 2007 U.S. Olympic Committee Developmental Coach of the Year for Triathlon. Coach Tim has extensive experience working with world class athletes and has volunteered his services to work with developing athletes. He has served as a coach at a USAT Junior Elite Select Camp and a member of USAT's World Cup coaching staff.
Additional assistance provided by:
Brian Hughes of Fast Splits Multisport
↑
Vortex Racing began in 2000 as a junior squad within the Bay State Triathlon Team. As the team started to take on its own character, director Steve Kelley decided to focus his full attention on working with junior athletes.
Over the years, the team has received vital support from a number of key people and organizations. Members of the Bay State Triathlon Team generously donated funds to get the team up and running. Silver City Bicycles provided critical support in our early days. The Cranberry Country Triathlon made annual donations that kept the team rolling. Fast Splits Multisport provided both financial support and helped our athletes purchase and maintain their equipment. Team Psycho provided a generous grant that helped us support Jarrod Shoemaker's breakout season. Countless others have made donations that have made a huge difference in the success of our athletes.
It is our athletes who are our greatest legacy. Early members included current ITU World Cup triathlete Sarah Groff and 2003 Collegiate National Champion Caitlin Shea-Kenney. Founding member Mark Cote parlayed his passion for triathlon into critiquing Tour de France cyclists at MIT's wind tunnel. Siblings Jenna and Jarrod Shoemaker received support from the team while transitioning from collegiate athletes to professional triathletes. Jarrod won the 2005 ITU U23 World Championships and is currently a strong contender for the 2008 Olympic Team. Standout collegiate runner Marisa Ryan won the 2003 Junior Elite Duathlon National Championships. Kate Ross won a bronze medal at the 2006 Junior Elite National Championships and represented the USA at the World Championships in Switzerland. In 2007, Ethan Brown won the U23 National Championship and represented the US, along with Kate Ross and Stephanie Moroney, at the World Championships. Jarrod Shoemaker earned a spot on the 2008 US Olympic Team. ↑
The Vortex Racing Triathlon Club is open to ages
7 and up. Members will receive a club t-shirt, discounts offered by club
sponsors, and a club newsletter. Racing apparel will be announced shortly.
