Lachlan Ricchini remembered: New category at Barwon Heads Triathlon

A Geelong teenager who tragically died last year has been honoured with the creation of a new category in this weekend’s Barwon Heads triathlon.

The Barwon Heads triathlon will this year include a new family team category in honour of Lachlan Ricchini who died in 2024. Pictured here are his father Brett Ricchini and event organiser Lincoln Beckworth. Picture: Alan Barber.

The Barwon Heads triathlon will feature a new category this weekend in honour of a young Geelong swimmer who died last year.

Lachlan Ricchini, 15, tragically took his own life in February 2024 and his death rocked the local swimming community.

He was a talented swimmer and member of the Melbourne Swimming Club.

His family are well-known in the Victorian swimming community, with his brother, Cameron, the captain of the Geelong Swimming Club and his father, Brett, a former elite triathlete.

Lachlan Ricchini. Picture: Supplied

This year’s event, to be held on Sunday, will include a new family team category and trophy in honour on Lachlan.

In 2023, he competed in the team event with his dad and brother.

“Lachie was very excited for us to do the triathlon together and we won the teams event,” Mr Ricchini said.

“That was pretty special.”

Mr Ricchini said he and Lachlan were training for the 2024 event when he sadly passed.

“Just the day before we had been at the gym, training and talking about the race,” he said.

“His passing was a shock to us, he was such a great kid.

“Anything we can do to honour his name, we try to do.”

Mr Ricchini hopes the new category will encourage more people to participate in a sport loved by the family.

Event organiser Lincoln Beckworth said: “If we can help to entice other families to exercise and spend time together in memory of Lachie, that is really special.”

The event, now in its 10th year, will see about 1000 participants, including more than 400 of those who will completing their first triathlon.

“There are lots of people who have always wanted to complete a triathlon,” Mr Beckworth said.

“This one is a good distance at a beautiful location for people to have a go at their first race.

“We have elite athletes competing as well but also people who compete once a year and have a go.”

Barwon Heads triathlon involves a 400m swim, 14km bike ride and 4km run.

If you need help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Originally published as Lachlan Ricchini remembered: New category at Barwon Heads Triathlon