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Thursday 11th May 06

Lanzarote Ironman. Toughest in the world. But not tough enough for some…!

Tribiza Affiliated Coach, Steve Haywood from Tri Coach UK and Stafford Triathlon Club has committed to a world record attempt in 2007 on what is possibly the world’s toughest Triathlon event, the infamous Enduroman Arch to Arc. This Ultra Distance Triathlon starts with an 87-mile run from London's Marble Arch to Dover, on the Kent coast, followed by a 22 mile cross-channel swim to the French coast, and then finishes up with a 180 mile bike from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, where the clock stops. Only 3 athletes have ever completed this challenge, the current world record being set in 2001 by Enduroman's Eddie Ette in a time of 81 hours and 5mins.

Steve already has an impressive record as an active GB Age-Grouper, and Former GB 800m, 1500m, X/C athlete and an ex-Inter Services Champion, and is leaving for Ironman Lanzarote later this week, which is acknowledged to be possibly the toughest of the Ironman competitions, but which may well seem like a mere walk in the park in comparison to the Arch to Arc halfway though the Cross Channel swim in 07.

Steve has contacted Eddie Ette to arrange a meet date later this year, as Ed likes to witness athletes swim in the Channel before allowing them to take on the A2A challenge. “This was a reminder that not everybody has the privilege of even attempting the challenge, I’ve arranged a meeting in Sept 06 to go out in his boat in Weymouth. I assume that I won't actually be in the boat, but swimming in the sea instead!!” joked Steve.

As a UK Triathlete he is usually accustomed to swimming in a wetsuit, which is not allowed for the Arch to Arc challenge, or for Cross Channel attempts if they are to be recognised by the Guinness book of Records.

“Swimming through the chilly temperatures of the Channel is one of the many factors that I have to take into consideration when planning my coaching program. I’ve joined the BLDSC, with a view to take part in their endurance swimming races. Non-wetsuit swims will be excellent training for me. Triathlete?? Non-wetsuit?? Heavens forbid!!! ...Just remembered, haven't asked the missus yet!!” he continued.

You can benefit from Steve’s expert coaching and guidance in the UK through TriCoach UK’s Triathlon Training and Coaching programs or you can join him on Triathlon Training Camps in Ibiza (or Mallorca) Spain if warm weather training camps are your preference by contacting him through his website www.tricoach.co.uk, where you can also follow his training and progress for this event website in his journal.

Tribiza, who operate Triathlon Training Camps & Multi Sport Active Holidays & Breaks all year round in Ibiza & the Balearic isles can be contacted through their website on www.tribiza.com.

Wednesday 17th May 06

Kirsty Jones Kiteboards from Lanzarote to Morocco

Sets kitesurfing world record

On May 13th world wave champion kitesurfer Kirsty Jones from Wales UK, broke the kitesurfing world record by kitesurfing 40 miles from Lanzarote to Morocco, land to land. It took 9 hours, non stop.

She left from the beach in front of Lanzarote's grandest hotel, hotel Salinas in Costa Teguise, at 10am on May 13th and arrived in Tarfaya, Western Sahara, Morocco at 7pm. Her route took her up towards the Northern Sahara then down wind towards her final destination.

Kirsty had encountered very light wind 4 hours into the challenge which slowed her down and caused her to become sea sick because of the choppy sea and swell then luckily the wind picked up and she hit speeds of 40 knots. She was forced to change tack and angle to the wind on a few occasions to ensure she arrived at her destination making the journey even more tiring and difficult.

Kirsty believes the "wind gods" must have been smiling down on her and she says "I was also expecting the wind to drop as the forecast had not predicted the wind to pick up so I was feeling doubtful about even making it half way. Instead of dropping, the wind picked up, the sun came out and I saw dolphins - this was when I realised my luck was changing and I had a real chance of making it."

"Although I didn't see land for 8 hours, every hour seemed to be different. At the beginning of my journey I encountered a big fin ahead of me which turned out to be two pilot whales, I had flying fish fly over my board, and saw pods of dolphins. I felt very happy and emotional when I began to recognise the coast of Morocco and the landmarks of the village of Tarfaya."

Kirsty used a 12m Flexifoil Iron Kite, a custom made 'Wave' board, and an S-Core 3mm wetsuit.

Kirsty's motivation was to raise money, equipment and awareness to a disabled charity in Morocco while bridging two continents, rich and poor through her passion for kitesurfing. Kirsty along with Youths United (an extreme events company who supported Kirsty in her venture) bought with them donated surf and windsurf equipment to give to a small club she helped to establish for the people in the village of Tarfaya to have the opportunity to learn water sports.

Kirsty would like to say "Shocran" and "Diolch yn Fawra" - thank you in Arabic and welsh to Youths United, her support boats, "The Friends of Tarfaya Association," the people of the Sahara and her sponsors Animal, Flexifoil, S-Core and Da Kine. "I could not have achieved this without them."

Thursday 11th May 06

Spain Heating Up For The Hotel Sector

Spain is back on the map for hotel investors, according to research from Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. The level of transactions will remain strong and in the mid-term, Spain is positioned to become one of Europe’s hottest transaction markets in 2006.

“The resort market remains the most liquid segment and we do not anticipate any reason for this to change in the future”, said Jordi Frigola, Head of the Spanish office for Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. “Last year resorts remained the most active area with 36 out of the 41 transactions registered, representing 88% of the total single assets sold. There were only five city hotel deals. The coastal destinations like the Balearics, Canary Islands and the Costa del Sol, which were struggling in the last few years, are now showing signs of recovery. The Costa del Sol still attracts investment into the sector – mainly between Marbella and Sotogrande.

He continued: “The other coastal destinations such as Murcia and Almeria are driven by golf developments which are built to boost the value of the resorts, and given that there are around 150 courses currently under development, we expect considerable growth in this sector.”

In Spain, the majority of transactions take place between local and national operators who remain more aggressive and active than international investors. International hotel chains are keen to buy assets in Madrid or Barcelona to expand their presence.

Jordi Frigola, commented: “International players prefer to invest in city markets in prime locations, generally suited for the international hotel chains.  This type of property is scarce and is often sold off market and at a premium price in Spain.”

Supply in Madrid and Barcelona has increased over the last few years but growth is currently slowing down as many development projects are delayed or converted into residential stock which offers higher returns. Secondary and tertiary cities such as Seville, Valencia and Malaga have been experiencing new development for the last three years and some are starting to suffer from over-supply.

Barcelona and Madrid – a tale of two cities

Hotel investors traditionally opt for Barcelona over Madrid but international operators are now looking at the Spanish capital to gain a foothold in the market. Both of Spain’s principal cities are undergoing infrastructure development and appeal to visitors in different ways. 

Madrid has been seen primarily as a business destination but with competitive room rates and promotional efforts - there has been a 13% increase in arrivals, particularly by leisure visitors. The increasing demand and the slowing of new supply has meant that hotel trading results are set to recover this year.
Barcelona still remains one of the most popular destinations in Europe however there was a small decrease in bed nights last year owing to steep hotel prices.  Nevertheless Barcelona remains one of the better performers in the European hotel market and continues to achieve strong room yields.  Conference and exhibition demand may be boosted further by the construction of additional convention facilities in the city.

Wednesday 3rd May 06

Take That can still pull them from afar!

SEVEN weeks after flying out to a new life in the Canary Islands, Zoe Cooper is heading back to Bolton to see her pop favourites Take That.

Zoe moved to the sunshine of Lanzarote in March with husband Adrian and 17-month-old son Charles.

But the pull of the re-formed boy band was too much for the former Little Hulton-based health visitor team leader.

"I just have to be there," said 32-year-old Zoe, who will be at the MEN Arena on Friday night after flying 2,000 miles.

Take That announced late last year that they were to re-form for a tour 10 years after they split up.

Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Howard Donald are now in the second week of their UK and Ireland gigs, and are playing six shows at the MEN Arena, from tomorrow night until Saturday, and from May 20 to 22.

But they are without original member Robbie Williams.

Zoe, who moved from Carville Grove in Hindley Green, hopes that will be put right on Friday with the solo star who has been appearing as a hologram in opening concerts linking up "live" once again with the group who had 15 UK hits included Relight My Fire, Could It Be Magic and Back For Good "That really would be something worth coming back for," said Zoe, whose husband is property manager for Villasun, a Bolton-based company with holiday accommodation in Costa Teguise.

"We are settling in well at our new home in Tahiche, which is just a few kilometres from Costa Teguise where Adrian is based.

"Charles is enjoying the sun, trips to the beach and looking forward to picking the oranges, lemons and mangoes from the trees in the garden," said Zoe, whose family live in Westhoughton and Sharples.

"It will be wrench to leave Adrian behind in the sizzling sun and relaxed atmosphere of Lanzarote while Charles and I brave the unpredictable Bolton Spring weather. But it will only be for a few days."

Interest in Take That who split in February, 1996, after a career that notched up 10 million album sales was revived by an ITV documentary and the release of a greatest hits album.

The documentary was seen by nearly six million viewers, while the compilation album charted at number two in the UK, selling 90,000 copies in its first week.