Lori Bowden, Heather Fuhr and Lance Watson to be inducted into Hall of Fame
Ironman legends Lori Bowden and Heather Fuhr, will join one of the most successful coaches in the history of the sport, Lance Watson, as the 2015 Class that will be welcomed into Triathlon Canada’s Hall of Fame.
Triathlon Canada’s Hall of Fame recognizes and honours outstanding contributions and individual achievements of athletes, coaches and significant contributors/volunteers in the sport of Triathlon in Canada. The accomplishments of those individuals inducted into the Triathlon Canada Hall of Fame are considered exemplary and superior to the contributions and achievements of the majority of individuals within their field.
Starting as an age group triathlete in Ontario, Lori Bowden became one of the most dominant Ironman athletes in the world. Between 1997 and 2003, Bowden was on the podium seven times in Kona at the Ironman World Championships where she took the title in 1999 and 2003. Bowden also has 11 additional Ironman wins on her resume. In an interview with Triathlon Canada Bowden said,
“I am extremely grateful and excited to learn of my induction into Triathlon Canada’s Hall of Fame…Canada has a long history of amazing past and present world class triathletes, and it is such an honour to be recognized as part of the nation’s sporting history.”
Bowden will receive the honour alongside one of her most respected rivals Heather Fuhr. Originally from Alberta, Fuhr has won 15 Ironman titles around the world including Japan, Switzerland, Brazil, United States and Germany. Fuhr captured the World Championship title in 1997. Fuhr has a passion and knowledge for the sport that is unparalleled around the world, but it is her management of triathlon training camps for athletes of all age groups and ability levels that has earned her the respect and admiration she has from international triathletes.
“Now that I can look back and reflect on my career,” Fuhr told Triathlon Canada, “I feel very fortunate that I was able to achieve what I did in the sport. To be recognized for something I simply loved doing is icing on the cake.”
Coach Lance Watson is a five-time Triathlon Canada Coach of the Year, and has nurtured some of the greatest Canadian triathletes from kids into Olympic champions. Watson’s coaching list is nothing short of extraordinary, having coached many of Canada’s Olympians and Ironman Champions, including Triathlon Canada Hall of Fame athletes Simon Whitfield (Olympic gold medal) and Lisa Bentley (11 Ironman titles). Watson coached Canadian Teams winning gold medals at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and Pan American Games. Watson has also led Canadian athletes to 17 Ironman victories, 5 Ironman World Championship podiums, four International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championship medals, and countless ITU World Cup wins.
“You don’t begin a coaching career with Hall of Fame aspirations. You follow your passion, develop your skills, and immerse yourself in a journey fostering the growth of Canadian athletes’ potential in both triathlon and in life,” said Watson.
A date and location for an official induction ceremony this summer will be finalized in the spring.
For more information: www.triathloncanada.com
from press release
