VICTORIA Point teenager Luke Harvey will make his world triathlon debut in the Netherlands in September.
The year 12 Victoria Point State High School student will take part in the World Age Group Sprint Triathlon event which consists of a 750 metre swim, 20 kilometre bike ride and five kilometre run.
The event is an on-road triathlon, the format that Harvey’s training is geared towards and that he most enjoys.
Seventeen-year-old Harvey was crowned senior male champion at the Queensland Schools Triathlon Trials in February, placed first at the Kingscliff Triathlon in March and was a member of the team that placed second in the Commonwealth Games Relay test event on the Gold Coast earlier this month.
At the Gold Coast event, held in conjunction with the Jewel Gold Coast Triathlon, Harvey won first place in the Age Group Sprint Distance category.
With the triathlon season nearing the end, Harvey is competing – and hoping to reach the podium – at the Australian Schools Triathlon Festival in Penrith from April 18 to 21.
The senior school sports vice-captain at Victoria Point said he will be chasing personal bests at cross-country and track in the coming months.
“Next year is a big unknown as I will be starting university and leaving the school sport system,” Harvey said.
“I hope to again improve my national and international ranking (currently 14th in the under 19 male division) and focus more on my triathlon.”
Harvey said he was able to get through the early and long hours of training with support from his training buddies.
“I love the company, people and pure enjoyment of racing – pushing the limits of my body.”
Harvey is with the Sharks Triathlon Club and swims with the Redlands Swim Club, cycles with Wynnum Redlands Cycling Club and does training at YMCA Victoria Point.
Harvey is holding a trivia night at Victoria Point State High School on May 20 from 6pm to help with the costs of attending the world event in the Netherlands.
Tickets should be purchased via the Facebook event page at facebook.com/events/170469866800224.