Triathletes Scott Ang and Clara Wong win right to represent Singapore in Youth Olympic Games

Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

East Coast Park, Saturday, April 10, 2010 - Scott Ang and Clara Wong led from start to finish to win the triathlon Youth Olympic Games (YOG) time trial held at the 2010 Singapore International Triathlon*.

The two triathletes were part of a group of triathletes selected for the national training squad at a time trial last year in the same event.

It was a sense of deja vu as both won the trial last year as well, improving on last year’s timings. Scott Ang finished in 1 hour 6 minutes and 33 seconds while Clara Wong won in 1 hour 11 minutes 56 seconds.

After a one-and-a-half-hour rain delay, the two 17-year-olds overcame their respective competitors Travis Woodford and Samantha Ho in the 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run triathlon. The four youth triathletes were the only athletes eligible for this trial.

Originally, Kenneth Lim, who is also part of the training squad, was suppose to go through the trial as well, but he pulled out a day before due to other commitments.

Scott Ang led from start to finish, completing the race more than five minutes ahead of Travis Woodford.

"It feels great to finally know that I will definitely be representing Singapore at the YOG," beamed Scott after the race. "I am really happy to get this chance to represent Singapore, but at the same time I would like to congratulate all the other athletes as they are really strong and have put in a lot of effort."

The Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) student took a two-week break from school to prepare for the trial. He sprinted to a comfortable lead during the swim leg to emerged from the water more than two minutes ahead of Travis with a time of 9 minutes 15 seconds.

Although Travis – who has also been selected to represent Singapore in cycling – was expected to make up some time on his stronger bike leg, he was unable to do so as the more dominant Scott Ang extended his lead.

"I knew I would hold the lead after the swim and that was when I wanted to control the race," described Scott about the race. "Then I just wanted to ride at a comfortable pace. Travis is a very strong rider and he is already selected for cycling [at the YOG] so I just had to concentrate on my own performance and not be distracted."

"Then, during the run, I wanted to just push myself over the 5km which I did. Overall, the execution of my strategy went really well so I am really happy about that," continued Scott.

By the end of the bike leg, Scott already knew he won.

"After I finished the bike leg, when the announcer said that I had a formidable lead - that was when I knew I had won," he said.

When asked if he is aiming for a medal at the YOG, he said, "I don't put too much pressure on myself as I am just in it for the love of the sport. The overseas field is very strong, especially the Europeans and the Australians. It is going to be hard for me to get a medal as I am not a full-time athlete. I just see this as a means of more race exposure."

"Looking at my 62nd position at the Junior World Championship, it [the chance for a medal] doesn't look too good. It is good to dream, but it is better to be realistic."

In the girls' race, Clara Wong also led from gun to tape. In fact, she was able to finish ahead of Travis Woodford on the swim and bike, only losing out by about a minute during the run.

"It is always been my dream to compete in an Olympic-like event," said the student from Victoria Junior College. "So I am pretty delighted. I am looking forward to more competitors at the YOG. I want to know how good I am compared to the rest of the world - I want to know my worth."

Just like Scott in the boys' race, Clara sprinted to an early lead during the swim before sustaining the lead in the bike and run legs.

"I felt happy after the swim because I was just behind Scott and he was my target for the swim," said Clara. "At the same time, I was a bit worried as I swam outside the lane markers so I was afraid that Travis and Samantha might catch up. Throughout the race, I was a bit worried since Sam caught up with me on the bike leg during the last Osim race. I am quite happy to sustain the gap between me and her."

"I just told myself to keep going throughout the race. I had a bit of breathing difficulty during the run so that was a challenge but I told myself to keep going and I overcame it," continued Clara.

To improve her cycling, Clara spent a month in China last year just to focus on cycling training.

"I went to China to improve my cycling and now, I feel all my disciplines are equally good," said Clara.

Clara is also a very strong long-distance runner and she has won a couple of titles including the B Division cross-country title last year. In last month's 51st National Schools Cross-Country Championships, she finished fourth in a field of strong A Division runners.

"That race gave me confidence coming into the trial as I knew that my running isn't deteriorating despite all the cycling training. Now, all my disciplines are equal," said Clara.

She also had some nice words for Samantha Ho who finished eight minutes behind her with a time of 1 hour 19 minutes 11 seconds.

"Sam is a very worthy competitor. Even though today I came out on top, I am always worried she might catch up with me," shared Clara.

"I am not really disappointed because I did my best and gave it my all," said Samantha Ho after the race. "That is all that matter to me."

About Clara, she said, "She is a really strong girl and I am proud of her. She has beaten me in a few other races and everybody knows she is a strong swimming and runner. Last year, she just started in triathlon so that is why the race was closer."

* N.B. The race is also known as the Osim Singapore International Triathlon