National Series 2012

I quite fancy the Joey Hannon, but my wife has very inconsiderately planned a clashing event, so I guess I'd better pass on it this year...

So, I'm hoping that my race season will look like this (assuming I get in to the races, that is)...

Valentia; Sprint - 12th May
Tri-Athy; haven't decided which distance, probably Olympic - 2nd June
Hell of the West; Olympic - 23rd June
Lough Ine; Olympic - 14th July
Caroline Kearney; Olympic - 11th August

I'm also toying with the idea of the sprint in Athlone (30th June) - only 1 week after HOTW, but only a sprint
Also, as a back up plan in case of injury / crap race, I might keep an eye on the Pulse Tri on the 15th September.
Non-NS, I wouldn't mind doing Carrick for the craic, and I would fancy 'Escape from Spike' (http://www.irishtriathlon.com/index.php/race-calendar/event-detail/?event_id=365) but for the date clash with Caroline Kearney

Probably won't do Kenmare this year - I fancy taking a decent cut off the Dublin Marathon.

As to the Old School Speedos Outing - Slatts, we might make you do it in your own back yard; Kilkenny is on the 28th July

think the double olympic in Athy is NS this year aswell??

More importantly which race are we picking for the waterford tri club old skool speedo race?

Well!
Any non IM heads decide on which 5 National Series races they're doing thie year?
Any new on when some of them might open.
I thought Valentia normally opened early in the new year. It being the national Championships this year, I'd say it'll fill in no time.
So far I'm thinking
Valentia (S) then 3 weeks to
Tri Athy (S/O) then 3 weeks to
Hell of the West (O) then 3 weeks to
Lough Ine (O) then 2 weeks to
King of the Hill Kinsale (S)

Two I won't have done before there, Lough Ine and King of the Hill.
Would love to do Beast of the East (O) but its only 1 week after Lough Ine.
Could skip Lough Ine, Do Beast of the East and then 2 weeks after that, do Brian Boru in Clare (S). Plus that's leave 4 weeks between HOTW and BOTE.

Anyways, just thought I'd share my musings on me lunchbreak.