Rotorua Half Ironman race report + photos

Rotorua Half Ironman race day dawned cool and slightly drizzly as over 700 athletes made their way to Blue Lake signifying the success of the move of the "Hooksie half" from Taupo to Rotorua last year. By the 6.30 gun the rain had cleared and it stayed away for a day which provided almost perfect racing conditions with a good cloud cover and virtually no wind.

This is a race with a difference, and with a couple of dozen male entrants still chatting on the bank when the hooter sounded, you could be forgiven for thinking the after party had already begun. Still, they all made it hastily in the water and the women's race started more smoothly 5 minutes later.

Blue Lake is not fed by snow melt and is ideally suited for racing early in the season with the water temperature already up around 20degC. Last year the swim course had to be modified at the last minute and was a couple of hundred metres too short. This year the swim times suggested the course was more accurate, or possibly slightly longer than it should have been.

Keegan Williams who finished second at last weekend's Taupo half Ironman was one of the leaders out onto the bike and he quickly opened up a gap on the hilly cycle out to Lake Rotoma and back. This gave him a 5 minute lead over strong cyclist Paul Leitch and defending champion Jeremy Boyd, with former New Zealand Triathlon Champion Brodie Madgwick lurking as well.

Leitch couldn't maintain the pace on the run as Boyd and Madgwick set off after Williams who stayed away until the second lap of the lake 6km from the end. Williams could not hold off Madgwick, but stayed ahead of Boyd as the first three finished within a couple of minutes of each other. Leitch and Philip Morreau sprinted for 4th place and first veteran with Leitch taking it by the smallest of margins.

Madgwick called this the biggest win of his career, obviously rating it ahead of his 2004 New Zealand Triathlon Championship title which he won when that race was converted to a duathlon due to high winds making swimming too dangerous. The last couple of years has seen Madwick in the UK doing his big 'OE', and has only recently started getting "back into it".

The UK connection was to continue in the women's race with now Rotorua local Amanda Westwood showing her running prowess overcoming a 6 minute deficit to German import Celia Kuch who had been impressive on the bike.

As in the men's race the lead had changed throughout the race. Megan Stewart led onto the bike but soon succumbed to Kuch. But, like Williams before Kuch had no answer as Westwood stormed through with Napier's Annika Edmonson taking out third.

However this is a race for the people and the athletes streamed in over the next four hours, with many a tale to tell. This race is renowned for its after party, and this year was no exception for those to who were able to stay out and party late into the night.

Thank you, Shane Hooks.

Results Rotorua Half Ironman 15 December 2007

Women under 40
1 Amanda Westwood Rotorua  0:35:18 2:45:19 1:35:53 4:56:31
2 Celia Kuch Auckland 0:33:54 2:41:05 1:46:44 5:01:45
3 Annika EdmondsonNapier  0:33:23 2:48:26 1:42:49 5:04:38
4 Meagan Stewart Auckland 0:29:49 2:55:49 1:47:36 5:13:15
5 Kristie Weenink Nelson  0:32:33 2:52:34 2:00:23 5:25:31

Women over 40
1 Julia Cree Auckland 0:31:34 2:57:37 1:51:13 5:20:25
2 Janice Mccallum Hawera  0:42:37 3:07:27 1:43:00 5:33:05
3 Lucy  Brown Auckland 0:31:42 2:58:43 2:03:48 5:34:14

Men under 40
1 Brodie Madgwick Te Aroha 0:29:29 2:30:04 1:23:08 4:22:42
2 Keegan Williams Hamilton 0:28:17 2:26:10 1:30:26 4:24:53
3 Jeremy Boyd Wellington 0:30:49 2:28:52 1:25:40 4:25:22
4 Kevin Nicholson Lower Hutt 0:33:44 2:37:13 1:31:25 4:42:23
5 James Doust Auckland 0:34:47 2:33:15 1:36:45 4:44:47

Men over 40
1 Paul Leitch Auckland 0:32:56 2:26:34 1:40:01 4:39:31
2 Philip Morreau Auckland 0:31:39 2:36:30 1:31:21 4:39:31
3 David Craig Wellington 0:32:47 2:40:22 1:31:54 4:45:04

The photos below courtesy of Arthur Hiscock at picasaweb.google.com/rotovegas.half


Before the start...


One of the most scenic bike courses in new Zealand


Brodie Madgwick heading into T2 with a 5 minute deficit


Brodie Madgwick taking the title


The old men race it out with Paul Leitch out muscling Philip Morreau



Amanda Westwood swooped on the run to clean up the women's field


Post race satisfaction as athletes cool their tired legs

Rotoroa half ironman photos available free

Photographs from the Rotoroa half ironman are available free of charge at
picasaweb.google.com/rotovegas.half.

Results are available at www.half.co.nz. Competitors are encouraged to fill in the survey on the website.

Debbie Tanner in Hyundai Pinnacle programme

Press Release: Hyundai.
17 December 2007.

Two of New Zealand's most promising young athletes are the latest to join the ranks of the Pinnacle sports mentor programme.

Olympic triathlete Debbie Tanner and world under-23 rowing champion Storm Uru have just been inducted into sought-after Hyundai scheme.


Olympic triathlete Debbie Tanner

Pinnacle is a New Zealand organisation, backed by Hyundai, which provides young athletes with a range of professional and personal skills to help them reach world-best status.

Tanner, 25, from Auckland, has already qualified top New Zealand woman for the Olympic Games at Beijing next August. Fourth at the Commonwealth Games last year, she also won the World Cup event at Ishagaki, Japan, and was runner-up in the equivalent event in Hamburg, Germany.

Uru, 22, is from Invercargill now based with the national Olympic rowing squad at Cambridge. The lightweight sculler has won the world under-23 title the past two years. He also has been Maori Sportsman of the Year the past two years, at last month's ceremony additionally taking the supreme award as Maori Sportsperson of the Year and a world champions award.

Uru has contested five international regattas, achieving a medal every time; two were at elite level and three at under-23. He aims to qualify for next year's Olympics in the lightweight double sculls and is already looking beyond there to London in 2012.

As Pinnacle athletes, Tanner and Uru join another Olympic aspirant, Kate McIlroy of Wellington, 3,000-metre steeplechaser.

Foundation Pinnacle athlete Andrew Murdoch of Kerikeri, Olympic laser sailor, and Commonwealth gold medal swimmer Moss Burmester of Tauranga both recently graduated from the programme.

Another foundation athlete, Andrea Fountain of Auckland, world championship wakeboarder, is approaching the conclusion of her time in Pinnacle.

Established in 2005, Pinnacle is recognised by high-performance coaches for its benefits to elite athletes in organisation of their lives and in positive mental preparation; areas crucial for success but not addressed in current sports high performance programmes.

Building on the athlete's physical conditioning and their technical training in their sport, Pinnacle mentors a range of skills outside the field of competition, which are often the difference between success and failure at the highest level.

The programme is based on 12 Pillars, covering everything from media and sponsors to mental motivation and the price of fame.

The Pinnacle programme considers these to be skills essential as athletes take the step to true professionalism, and which conversely have often been the undoing of competitors as off-field issues impact on their performance.

Mentoring comes from within Pinnacle and Hyundai and from a range of outside experts. Athletes also receive a new Hyundai vehicle and some financial help.

Typically they remain in Pinnacle for 12 to 18 months building to a world championship, Olympic or similar title bid.

Although Hyundai is a strong sponsor of sports and sportspeople in this country, Pinnacle is partly a philanthropic undertaking by Hyundai Motors NZ and its 100 percent New Zealand ownership, with the objective of helping New Zealanders succeed on the world stage and creating more positive roles models for the nation.

Pinnacle covers all sports; currently many applicants are from individual sports rather than teams but every application is closely considered on its merits.

Application forms are available from Hyundai dealers. Information is at www.pinnacleprogramme.co.nz

Olympic selection for Docherty, Gemmel, Warriner and Tanner

Press Release: Triathlon New Zealand.
12 December 2007.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee has named four triathletes to the New Zealand Olympic Team to Beijing 2008.

Olympic selectors named triathletes Bevan Docherty (30), Kris Gemmel (30), Sam Warriner (36) and Debbie Tanner (25) today.

It is the first time more than one female triathlete has been selected to represent New Zealand at an Olympic Games.

New Zealand Olympic Committee Secretary-General and selector, Barry Maister, is delighted to have announced the four highly-ranked international athletes.

The triathletes have had consistently strong showings at world cup competitions throughout the pre-Olympic build-up and have left New Zealand Olympic Committee selectors with no doubt they have met New Zealand's tough selection criteria.

"All four athletes have won World Cup races in the past year and are all ranked in the Top 10 in the world," said Mr Maister. "Who can forget the amazing day in Athens 2004 when triathlon kick-started the New Zealand medal tally with a Gold and Silver in the men's triathlon. Now, with both men and women represented at a very high level we're looking forward to an exciting performance from the team in Beijing.

Triathlon New Zealand's High Performance Manager, Stephen Farrell, believes the early selection will be an advantage for the triathletes selected.

"Triathlon is an endurance event and training must be carefully managed. Early selection gives our athletes optimal preparation time," he said.

Farrell expects further triathlon selections next year. "There will be 25 triathletes at Beijing 2008 with a real hope of a medal finish. We believe six of these athletes, three men and three women, will be New Zealanders."

Terenzo Bozzone, Shane Reed, Nicky Samuels and Andrea Hewitt will lead the contenders for an additional male and female spot in the New Zealand Olympic Team to Beijing 2008 in Australia next March. All are currently ranked 35 or higher in Olympic rankings but must meet IOC criteria before being nominated for selection.

Both Sam Warriner and Bevan Docherty represented New Zealand at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games with Bevan securing a silver medal behind New Zealand's Hamish Carter.

Heading to his first Olympic Games, Kris Gemmel was especially thrilled with his early selection.

"Being officially named in the team is one of the proudest moments in my career. I can't wait to wear that silver fern and chase the medals down," he said. "Our programmes can now be 100% focused on peaking for Beijing and representing New Zealand with pride."

With 240 days until the Beijing 2008 Opening Ceremony the New Zealand Olympic Committee has announced the selection of five sailors, two synchronised swimmers and the triathletes. The New Zealand Women's Hockey and Women's Basketball Teams have also had their selections confirmed.

Selection announcements will continue to be made into 2008 as teams and individuals meet New Zealand Olympic Committee selection criteria.

It is 100 years since New Zealand athletes first represented their country at an Olympic Games and in 2008 New Zealand will name its 1000th Olympian.

Multisport New Zealand Incorporated

Multisport New Zealand is now an incorporated body as of 28th November 2007. This follows an online poll conducted in March 2007 where there was an overwhelming support for the formation of such a body. This support was not as forthcoming from triathletes also informally polled at a Triathlon New Zealand (TriNZ) meeting. Clearly there is a separation between multisporters and triathletes, and the Pink Triathlete's opinion is that this is an unfortunate state of affairs, particularly in the light of Triathlon New Zealand's re-invention of itself over the last two years.

The new organisations constitution provides that those individuals who participated in the national poll supporting the formation of Multisport New Zealand become inaugural members in accordance with Clause 4.2(b)(ii), subscription free until 31st March 2008 provided the individual does not revoke such membership within one month of receipt of such notice.

Furthermore, individuals who are members of an approved club will automatically, at no additional fee, become members. Inquire of your local multisport club whether it qualifies as an approved club.

Individuals who did not complete the poll, and all those clubs and individuals after 31st March 2008, continue to remain members on paying the required subscription fee yet to be determined by the Executive Management Board.

The inaugural Executive Management Board, on incorporation and until elections are conducted in accordance with the rules prior to the first annual general meeting in June 2008 is as follows:

President : Bill Godsall of Cromwell
Vice President : Steve Knowles of Auckland
Committee Members :
Nathan Fa'avae of Nelson
Gordon Walker of Auckland
Ally Davy of Auckland
Kevin Osborne of Hastings

15th Fresh Choice Southern Lakes Women's Duathlon and Triathlon

Press Release: Southern Traverse Ltd.
12 December 2007

The fifteenth Fresh Choice Southern Lakes Women's Duathlon and Triathlon is to be held on the 15th March 2008, and Southern Traverse Ltd is pleased to announce that once again, Fresh Choice Queenstown will sponsor the event.

"This is the fifth consecutive year Fresh Choice Queenstown have been the title sponsor for the triathlon. They are absolutely delighted to be associated with this very popular event that receives such great support and participation from the women of the region - The team at Fresh Choice Queenstown say "It's our way of saying thank you to our valued customers". The event continues to grow and with the addition of the duathlon last year, we see this event as being the perfect opportunity for more women to be involved. Seasoned competitors or newcomers to the sport can compete in a safe, friendly and non threatening environment.

Each year several hundred women across the region enjoy the camaraderie of competing in one of the oldest local established women's events in the country. The focus of this event hasn't changed since its inception and it is still described as a 'relaxed, fun event with the emphasis on participation.'

"Our focus is for women to give it a go, have fun and also enter an event without having to break the bank, the team at Fresh Choice Queenstown has embraced this philosophy since their involvement in the event. Through their sponsorship involvement they are giving the opportunity for some very lucky women to be rewarded for their efforts. There are many other prizes to be won, presented by the event's 'women in business, supporting women in sport' and most can be won by anyone entering." says event director Pascale Lorre.

Last year, in response to popular demand, a Duathlon was added to the event. This proved a great success with more than half the women competing in this division.

Women are able to choose to compete either in the triathlon or the duathlon and as a team or as individuals. Distances are very achievable, and although the course varies depending on the chosen option, it is anticipated that all women will compete the event in the same timeframe.

The triathlon race starts with a 300m swim or 2km kayak in Lake Hayes. Athletes then follow a 15km bike ride along Lake Hayes and Speargrass Flats Road, before running or walking the final 5kms along the Lake Hayes track and back to the finish line in front of Lake Hayes Pavilion.

Entrants in the duathlon will start from a slightly different point than the traditional lake edge and the first run of 1.5km will be towards Queenstown along the Lake Hayes track before returning to the transition area, where they will then bike and run the same course and distances as the triathletes.

Both the duathlon and triathlon are open to individuals, in open and vet, while the team event has the open, vet and the keenly contested Business House section - The team at 'Back on Track' has now won this division three years in a row and proudly display the Dan Kelly trophy in their reception.

Entry forms will be available from the 20th December both on the event's web site http://www.southerntraverse/womenstri and on Fresh Choice Queenstown's web site, http://www.freshchoiceqt.co.nz.

South Island Triathlon Series confirmed

Press release: Triathlon New Zealand.
27 November 2007.

In further confirmation of the renewed growth of the sport of triathlon, a six race South Island Club Series was confirmed today, with the full support of Triathlon NZ.

South Island club and Event Directors have been working for some time on a series exclusive to the South Island to meet growing demand from athletes for a coordinated series of quality events.

The six events confirmed for the inaugural series are:

• Hokonui Triathlon and Multisport Event
December 9th 2007

• Lake Hayes Triathlon (Arrowtown)
December 27th 2007

• Timaru Triathlon (round four of the Contact Energy My Sport Series)
January 27th 2008

• Canterbury Classic Olympic Distance (Corsair Bay)
February 17th 2008

• Dunedin Triathlon
March 16th 2008

• Michael Huntley Memorial Race (Blenheim)
March 22nd 2008

The series will offer points for each race using the surf lifesaving model with the first six place getters in each category being awarded points (6, 5, ….1). There will be six age or gender categories of racing with Junior (U19), Open and Masters (+40) racing for points and prizes.

Athletes will however be racing for their clubs first and foremost with points earned going towards club trophies at the end of the series. This is a further support for the club structure in the sport as TriNZ and the clubs themselves look to offer increased value to their members.

Series spokesperson Adair Craik explained the need for the series.

"Triathlon is undergoing something of a resurgence in interest, sparked largely by our success on the international stage but also by a desire to improve the overall health and fitness of New Zealanders.

We are seeing both younger athletes come into the sport but also a return of an older generation who competed in the 80’s and 90’s and are now looking to return to the sport on a more social level.

Triathlon in the South is crying out for a coordinated series that encourage mass participation and reward individuals and clubs over a 'season' of racing rather than an ad hoc approach to the calendar.

We have responded to this demand by linking six well established and recognized events in the one series. Triathlon NZ has been supportive of this process in another sign that the sport is taking a 'collective' approach that will end up benefiting all who participate."

Triathlon CEO Dave Beeche echoed Craik’s sentiments.

"TriNZ has been kept well informed of plans by the South Island clubs to form a South Island Series and it is something we are totally supportive of. The series will complement our Contact Energy My Sport series and indeed shares one of the events (Timaru).

"The more coordinated the calendar can be with the inclusion of private promoters, club events and our own nationally driven races the better, allowing for consistency in race quality and easier planning for athletes of all abilities when they plan out their year of racing."

The series will combine the expertise of the local event promoters and clubs with the technical and event management support of TriNZ, delivering a consistent event of high quality to the competitors.

Beeche says this is a key outcome for the national body.

"We are focused on becoming an inclusive sport with high standards of event management and technical expertise. The key to growing the sport and maintaining our membership is to provide a quality race experience that they will return for year after year. Our close liaison with events such as the South Island Triathlon Series will ensure we achieve that over time."

The full calendar of events for the inaugural South Island Triathlon Series is:

Race one
December 9th 2007: Hokonui Triathlon & Multisport Event
www.southlandtriclub.co.nz
Contact: Ginge Burnett info@southlandtriclub.co.nz
Phone: Ginge 0276424333 or Richard 0272229469
Distances: Swim 1.5km, Cycle 40km, Run 10km
Shorter distance and Kayak option also available
Start: Registrations from 12am Start 1pm

Race Two
December 27th 2007: ‘83 Lake Hayes Triathlon (Arrowtown)
www.iconicadventures.co.nz
Contact: Tracey or Kathryn info@iconicadventures.co.nz
Phone: 03-441-1025
Distances: 750m swim, 20km bike, 5 km run

Race Three
January 27th 2008: Timaru Triathlon
www.timarutriathlon.co.nz
Contact: Juliet-gary@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 03 6861763
Distances Contact Energy Cup 1500m swim (or kayak 4km), 40km cycle, 10km run. Duathlon Option 2km run, 40km cycle, 10km run
Tri My Sport (short course) 200m swim, 11.5km cycle, 3.3km run
Venue: Caroline Bay Timaru

Race Four
February 17th 2008: Canterbury Classic Olympic Distance
www.canterburytriclub.co.nz
Contact: cantytriclub@yahoo.co.nz
Phone: 03 – 981 7508
Distances: Olympic distance Swim 1500m Bike 40km Run 10km (there will also be a sprint option but not for the series points)
Venue: Corsair Bay, Christchurch

Race Five
March 16th 2008: Dunedin
www.dunedintriclub.co.nz
Contact: chapmanst@paradise.net.nz or ian.paulin@police.govt.nz
Phone: 03) 4667770 or cell 027 2265 225
Distances: Swim 750m Bike 20km Run 5km

Race Six
March 22nd 2008: Michael Huntley Memorial Race: Blenheim
www.marlboroughmultisport.co.nz
Contact: deruiter@actrix.co.nz (Rene de Ruiter)
Phone: 03-570-05900
Distance: Swim 1500m, Bike 40km, Run 10km

ITU World Cup final rankings 2007

New Zealand's four Olympic qualifiers have also fittingly found themselves in the top five of the ITU rankings at the end of the World Cup Series for 2007.

Sam Warriner was the best with a third place narrowly missing out on second place after the last round in Israel. Debbie Tanner was in 5th. In the men's division Bevan Docherty andKris Gemmel finished 4th and 5th respectively.

Pos	Name	Country	Points	No. of Races
Women
1	Fernandes, Vanessa	(POR)	439	8
2	Moffatt, Emma	(AUS)	259	8
3	Warriner, Samantha	(NZL)	254	9
4	Snowsill, Emma	(AUS)	226	4
5	Tanner, Debbie	(NZL)	225	8
6	Spirig, Nicola	(SUI)	222	10
7	Bennett, Laura	(USA)	216	5
8	Haskins, Sarah	(USA)	196	6
8	Luxford, Annabel	(AUS)	196	6
10	Di marco Messmer, Magali	(SUI)	170	6
Also:
15	Hewitt, Andrea	(NZL)	152	5
30	Samuels, Nicky	(NZL)	66	3
76	Mcleod, Taryn	(NZL)	5	1
90	Williamson, Evelyn	(NZL)	1	1
Men
1	Gomez, Javier	(ESP)	415	8
2	Whitfield, Simon	(CAN)	338	9
3	Kahlefeldt, Brad	(AUS)	298	7
4	Docherty, Bevan	(NZL)	286	8
5	Gemmell, Kris	(NZL)	261	8
6	Polikarpenko, Volodymyr	(UKR)	214	6
7	Brukhankov, Alexander	(RUS)	213	9
8	Atkinson, Courtney	(AUS)	164	4
9	Rana, Ivan	(ESP)	136	5
10	Unger, Daniel	(GER)	135	2
Also
25	Reed, Shane	(NZL)	79	4
27	Bozzone, Terenzo	(NZL)	75	2
95	Ellice, Clark	(NZL)	5	1
105	Elvery, James	(NZL)	1	1

Times they are a-changin'. Let's support TriNZ.

Triathlon New Zealand (TriNZ) has been undergoing a metamorphosis. While this column has been quick to comment on any failings it has also come out strongly in support of Triathlon New Zealand, in particular the good work they have been doing recently and their $10 membership fee. Now Shane Hooks, outspoken race organiser who has arguably done more for triathlon in New Zealand than anyone else, has changed his tune and is singing its praises.

Here is a copy of his email news letter on the subject:

Times they are a-changin'. Let's support TriNZ.

The ice has thawed. Let's get in behind TriNZ.

I cannot believe I am writing this. Completely unsolicited from the powerbrokers of our sport TRINZ, I have decided to throw my considerable Clydesdale weight behind our sport's governing body. I know, I know. Many an old-timer will be wondering what on earth is going on. Privateer race directors supporting TriNZ?

Reality was, TriNZ in the dark days (decades?) was little more than a secret society, whose only focus was team selection for age groupers to world champs and elite. Was there actually anything in it for the average punter? Nothing.

Until now.

Under the guidance of new CEO David Beeche, TriNZ has undergone quite a massive transformation in a little over 12 months. Consider the achievements of this new team:

- our own ITU World Cup race in New Zealand guaranteed for five years. Simply fantastic work Tom and Dave, my heartiest congratulations.
- introduced their own national triathlon series
- started getting into schools visiting and promoting triathlon to our kids
- and unbelievably and for the first time ever, changed the Constitution to allow direct membership because for whatever reason, 99 percent of all triathletes do not want to join a club. They even reduced the cost of membership down to $10 - a year.

Rather than going out in saying they are the next best thing since sliced bread, they have been quietly turning themselves into the next best thing. So now, I have renewed my membership with TriNZ, which I last had in 1993.

So, it's time for all of us to sign up and support these guys, the ten bucks is worth it just for the work they are doing in schools now. So pay up and give them a go.

You can sign up here.

TriNZ will be doing the busting at my half. Want to help them out? Let them know.

Hooksie.

Bevan Docherty returns home for a break

Press Release: Mizone.
4 December 2007.

New Zealand’s No 1 Triathlete Bevan Docherty is coming home for a well earned break and to defend his national title, before returning to a demanding training schedule in preparation for next year’s Olympic Games in Beijing.

Currently ranked 4th in the world in the ITU Triathlon World Cup, Docherty has shown outstanding form this year in the competitive circuit. He garnered gold in the ITU Canadian World Cup and was placed silver in both the USA and Japan events.

Importantly Docherty comfortably finished third in the ITU Olympic Qualification World Cup competition in Beijing, guaranteeing his place in New Zealand’s Olympic team in Beijing 2008.

A major medal contender for Beijing, the 27 year old is currently placed 4th overall in ITU Olympic Qualification rankings.

Earlier this year Docherty won the New Zealand Triathlon Championship in Wellington, and last year won silver in the event at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Although based at home, Docherty spends half of his time in Colorado where he has the advantage of elite high altitude training. Docherty is sponsored by Mizone Rapid, not only financially but also by providing plenty of Mizone Rapid, a hypotonic sports drink which gives him re-hydration and fuel for his body to support his gruelling training schedule.

Docherty is home to support the Mizone Rapid Ultimate Sports Presenter Challenge and is looking to compete in a number of local triathlon outings including defending his national title in February, before returning to Colorado for his Olympic build up.

Kiwi results in Ironman Western Australia

Results of New Zealand athletes in Ironman Western Australia, Busselton, 2nd December 2007:

Name	Time	Cat	Cat Pos	Gen Pos	Swim	Bike	Run
Duncan Milne	8:40:30	MPro	13	14	0:50:47	4:34:36	3:15:06
Gina Ferguson	9:08:23	FPro	2	2	0:52:12	5:07:15	3:08:55
Daniel Mcdonald	9:42:54	M3539	16	84	0:52:05	5:04:51	3:45:57
Jacob Munro	10:03:43	M3034	27	128	1:03:04	5:21:17	3:39:20
Duncan Griffiths	10:04:35	M2529	20	130	1:05:46	5:31:17	3:27:31
Stuart Armstrong	10:13:51	M2529	23	150	0:58:07	5:22:34	3:53:10
Kerryn Bell	10:17:41	F3034	4	20	0:56:33	5:28:33	3:52:34
Kendal Morgan-Marshall	10:23:04	F2529	2	21	1:02:49	5:45:10	3:35:04
Dene Coleman	10:24:50	M4044	28	176	1:00:09	5:28:41	3:55:59
Ian Scott	10:39:31	M3034	48	224	0:57:35	5:10:25	4:31:30
Anna Longdill	10:43:56	F2529	7	35	1:05:35	5:22:40	4:15:40
Andrew Smith	10:44:15	M3034	52	238	1:07:45	5:35:20	4:01:09
James Sheather	11:04:31	M3034	65	295	1:00:04	5:16:52	4:47:34
Amanda Parish	11:14:18	F3034	13	50	1:13:18	5:42:34	4:18:24
Aaron Stephen Billing	11:26:22	M3034	79	349	0:55:32	5:59:52	4:30:57
Mark Wharram	11:33:50	M3539	88	370	1:06:58	5:37:00	4:49:51
Kingi Smiler	11:37:40	M5559	3	384	1:04:24	5:42:01	4:51:13
Glen Hazelton	11:42:56	M3034	89	402	1:19:14	6:09:59	4:13:42
Deborah Trendle	11:58:41	F2529	17	78	0:53:45	6:12:18	4:52:37
Tristan Adams	12:14:20	M1824	18	483	1:27:59	6:17:00	4:29:20
Dave Dwan	12:17:33	M5054	27	497	1:05:42	5:37:35	5:34:14
Elizabeth Thomas	12:22:01	F3539	19	88	1:17:28	6:16:52	4:47:40
Jane Loughnan	12:31:08	F4044	8	100	1:09:21	6:21:03	5:00:42
Jose Luis Fowler	12:33:53	M4044	92	531	1:17:36	5:46:19	5:29:57
Gareth Holebrook	12:37:08	M3539	130	537	1:27:05	6:12:40	4:57:21
Jason Marshall	12:38:34	M3539	131	543	1:09:30	5:50:25	5:38:39
Liam Glubb	12:39:28	M2529	59	546	0:58:40	5:58:26	5:42:22
Shaun Blackie	12:43:05	M3034	119	552	1:21:10	5:53:17	5:28:38
Annette Lee	13:43:06	F4549	17	136	1:18:37	6:41:40	5:42:47
Garth Barfoot	14:21:02	M7074	2	671	1:33:43	6:54:20	5:52:57
Kirsteen Mcdonald	14:48:43	F3034	39	159	1:25:11	7:08:15	6:15:16
Guy Orridge	15:07:50	M3539	168	694	1:26:39	7:34:15	6:06:54
Nathan Haturini	15:31:45	M3034	140	702	1:17:21	7:03:45	7:10:38
Scott Hotham	DNF	M3034			0:59:39	5:04:09
Peter Goodwin	DNF	M4549			1:02:25	5:52:53

Rotorua half ironman entry deadline extended

Despite an earlier post that the Rotorua half-ironman entries were to close on the 30th November, and that there would be no exceptions, there is good news for those who have not entered. Race organiser Shane Hooks has extended online entries to midday Wednesday 5th November. Enter from the race website www.half.co.nz.

Sam Warriner 13th in Israel, 3rd overall

Sam Warriner has finished 3rd in world ITU rankings after the final round in Eilat, Israel. She was 13th just over 2 minutes behind winner Nicola Spirig. Warriner needed to finish inside the top nine to displace Emma Moffat from the second ranking.

She was in touch from early on the bike and rode comfortably in the lead pack but couldn’t find the necessary leg speed at the end of a long and successful season.

In the men's race Hirokatsu Tayama became the first Japanese triathlete to ever win an ITU World Cup. Ukrainian Volodymyr Polikarpenko was 46 seconds behind Tayama for the silver, for his 22nd career World Cup medal, with Russian Alexander Brukhankov in third.

Of the New Zealanders, Clark Ellice finished 26th and Nathan Richmond was 37th.

2007 Eilat BG Triathlon World Cup – Men:
Gold – Hirokatsu Tayama (JPN) 1:49:46
Silver – Volodymyr Polikarpenko (UKR) 1:50:32
Bronze – Alexander Brukhankov (RUS) 1:50:36
4th – Dmitry Polyansky (RUS) 1:50:44
5th – Duarte Silva Marques (POR) 1:50:47
6th – Andriy Glushenko (UKR) 1:50:59
7th – Oliver Freeman (GBR) 1:51:03
8th – Richard Stannard (GBR) 1:51:06
9th – Matt Reed (USA) 1:51:13
10th – Axel Zeebroek (BEL) 1:51:22
Plus
26th Clark Ellice (NZL) 1:52:53
37th Nathan Richmond (NZL) 1:55:51

2007 Eilat BG Triathlon World Cup – Women:
Gold – Nicola Spirig (SUI) 2:02:42
Silver – Juri Ide JPN) 2:03:10 +:28
Bronze – Annabel Luxford (AUS) 2:03:21 +:39
4 – Jodie Swallow (GBR) 2:03:26 +:44
5 – Ainhoa Murua (ESP) 2:04:02 +1:20
6 – Julie Ertel (USA) 2:04:12 +1:30
7 – Akane Furutani (JPN) 2:04:21 +1:39
8 – Kathy Trembley (CAN) 2:04:23 +1:41
9 – Evgenita Matveeva (RUS) 2:04:25 +1:43
10 – Jessica Harrison (FRA) 2:04:35 +1:53
PLUS
13th Samantha Warriner (NZL) 2:05:01

Calwell and Samuels win in Takapuna

Press Release: Triathlon New Zealand.
2 December 2007.

The second round of the Contact Energy My Sport Triathlon Series saw great racing in front of good enthusiastic crowds in Takapuna today with two promising young athletes grabbing the limelight.

With the help of North Shore City Council the Tri NZ event took place on closed roads in the heart of Takapuna's cafe and restaurant district, with the finish line immediately outside the Belgian Beer Café ASICS recovery zone a popular gathering point for spectators as the elite races got underway in the early evening.

The women's event proved a benefit race for Nicky Samuels. The Whangarei athlete showed the class that delivered a first ITU BG World Cup podium this season in blitzing a strong field of up and comers. Samuels simply rode away from the rest on the bike, despite the race being draft legal and a chasing pack of five hunting her down. The winning margin of 1 minute 53 seconds was just reward for an impressive race.

Samuels was delighted but suggested she was only just getting back into her work.

"My long term focus is on Mooloolaba in March next year and qualifying for the Beijing Olympics. The competition to earn that third spot is so tough though but that is the goal at the moment. Today was a real buzz with great spectator support and despite my earlier misgivings about how tight the bike would be, it proved to be a superb and safe course."

Second was Rotorua (first round) winner Katherine Anton, her points for second place will extend her lead at the top of the Contact Energy Cup standings while third went to Carmel Hanley.

The men's race dished up one of the great triathlon spectacles seen in New Zealand with the tight and technical ten lap bike course serving up a treat for the estimated two thousand spectators who lined the Takapuna CBD. Despite his best efforts to break away, defending Contact Energy Cup champion Stephen Sheldrake soon had 7 or 8 riders for company in a superbly quick 16km bike ride.

Eventually it was Callum Millward who did pick up a lead of 150 metres leading into transition, hoping he could hold on during the 4km run. he couldn't as he was passed by a hard charging trio of Tristan Calwell, Martin Van Barneveld and Tony Dodds. The pace was hot and the legs were screaming, so too the supporters as it came down to a spring finish. Calwell held on from Van Barneveld and Dodds, all three within 14 seconds of each other.

Calwell expected the race to be close.

"Given the course and the quality of the field this was always going to be close, i'm just thrilled to come out on top. The bike was pretty intense with a few words shared along the way but it was a great, hard race and sets up the series nicely."

Earlier in the day age group races were eagerly contested by a mix of New Zealand age group representatives, experienced athletes and novice competitors giving the sport a go for the first time. All races were completed without incident and again were well received by all as Takapuna turned it's CBD into triathlon city for a day.

Next up for the Contact Energy My Sport Series is Whangamata on January 12th. All details can be found at www.triathlon.org.nz

Contact Energy Cup Elite Results, Takapuna 2 December 2007
Women
1. Nicky Samuels 52.18
2. Katherine Anton 54.11
3. Carmel Hanley 54.41

Men
1. Tristan Calwell 47.35
2. Martin van Barneveld 47.44
3. Tony Dodds 47.49

Gina Ferguson Ironman Western Australia race report

Gina's race report:

I have just placed second in Ironman Western Australia. I had two reasons for doing this race. The first was to improve my biking on a flat course. I have always been drawn to tough, hilly courses and have never really excelled on the flat. However, I want to be an all round cyclist and this requires me to race courses which I wouldn’t otherwise favour. The second was to do a race in the heat. I wanted to race in conditions of over 30 degrees in preparation for Hawaii. Unfortunately for me however, race day temperature was only around 20 degrees.

Busselton, (about 2.5 hr south of Perth) is a perfect place for a race. With its white sand beaches and friendly atmosphere it is a great place to visit. The race started with a swim around the jetty, out and back. We had a 15min head start on the age group field. I had a really bad swim. I’m not sure why, other than I haven’t done a lot of swimming recently as I have been focusing on the bike and the run. I had a bad start, made it to the back of the first group which then split. On the return, I took a bad line, I swam in close to the jetty which was pretty choppy, and only later decided to swim further out where I found the sea to be much calmer. You learn something new from every race, and I will have to do some work now on my swim to get it back up to standard. So I ended up third female out of the swim, but around 4 min back from the lead. I am used to winning the swim, so it was a bit disappointing, but I just told myself I would have to work harder on the bike.

I aimed to do 5 hr on the bike, and the first 120km were going exactly to plan. I have made a lot of changes to my bike set up and have lowered the front of my bike. This has made me a lot more aero dynamic, but the 3 weeks I had to train with the changes, weren’t probably quite enough for my body to adjust. So, the last 60km on the bike were spent in complete agony. My left arm just decided it didn’t want to take any more weight and so I was forced to bike with one arm on the aero bars and one arm dangling at my side. So I lost a bit of time here, and ended up with a bike split of 5 hr 7 min (including transition) and in 5th place.

Going onto the run I felt pretty good and made my way up into second position about 4 min behind the leader. I was confident I could still win, but went through a bad patch from around 23 km until around 32 km, and my pace dropped. I was happy with my last 10km however, and I think I finished pretty strongly, and was pleased with my run split of 3 hr 8 min, and my overall time of 9 hr and 8 min, making me exactly 1 hr faster than my first ironman, 9 months ago in march at Ironman New Zealand.

So we have 2 days in this beautiful part of the world and we will be down at the beach. I’d like to thank my sponsors for their continued support. Blue seventy, Asics, Orca Apparel, and High 5 nutrition, and I’d like to welcome my new bike sponsor for 2008, Ceepo (www.ceepo.com). I am very excited about riding my new Ceepo bike in my next race (Tauranga Half Ironman). I think it will make a lot of difference.

Gina Ferguson second in Ironman Western Australia

Gina Ferguson capped a stellar year with a second place finish in Ironman Western Australia. In nearly perfect racing conditions in Busselton she was eight minutes behind the flying Charlotte Paul, also breaking the old course record. Paul, Ferguson and Bella Comerford came from behind on the run to finish in that order.

Ferguson, in her first year of Ironman racing finished 5th in Ironman New Zealand, 4th in Ironman Switzerland, 1st in Ironman Wisconsin demolishing the record in the process and now second in Busselton. Add to this a 6th place in the World Long Distance Championships, and leading out of the water in Ironman UK until mechanical problems on the bike put paid to her race.

Nevertheless Ferguson, despite setting a personal best time for the distance felt she had an off day. The course was also too flat and fast for her liking. She continues her busy schedule with the Tuaranga half ironman in early January followed by Challenge Wanaka two weeks later.

The men's race was won by New Caledonia's Patrick Vernay, who is also the current Ironman Australia champion, in 8:06:00. Just over three minutes behind him was South African Raynard Tissink with Aussie Mitch Anderson, now a full time triathlete, rounding out the podium. Pre-race favorite, two time winner and record holder Jason Shortis had a difficult day finishing 12th after copping a kick in the face during the swim and a drafting penalty on the bike.

Results Ironman Western Australia, 2nd December 2007
Men
1. Patrick Vernay 8:06:00
2. Raynard Tissink 8:09:20
3. Mitch Anderson 8:12:20
4. Craig McKenzie 8:13:58
5. Stephen Bayliss 8:17:51

Women
1. Charlotte Paul 9:00:56
2. Gina Ferguson 9:08:23
3. Bella Comerford 9:14:25
4. Alison Fitch 9:18:14
5. Tereza Macel 9:22:55

Takapuna heralds the young stars of triathlon

Press Release: Triathlon New Zealand.
29 November 2007.

Takapuna will this weekend buzz to the hum of triathletes of all ages and abilities in the latest round of the Contact Energy My Sport but while many will be focused on personal bests or just making the finish line, others have an eye on more distant Olympic dreams.

Triathlon New Zealand is already planning for future games success. With Beijing on the doorstep and 4 of the 6 possible athletes already qualified for China, the next tier of elite athletes is eyeing a place in London 2012.

"Takapuna will give them a rare taste of a draft legal race on a fully closed bike course. The experience alone in this sort of race will help them enormously as they progress in the sport. 2008 might be too soon for all but Samuels and Elvery but for a number of athletes, it is not out of the question that we will see them representing New Zealand at the London Games in 2012."

Elite racing will take place in the early evening on Sunday with the women set to start at 6.50pm and the men at 7.40pm. Prior to that though will be age group races over the same course and the same conditions with racing commencing at 2pm.

Ironically some of the young emerging male talent will face their biggest opposition in their High Performance Manager Sheldrake. The Gisborne based coach is still hugely competitive on the domestic scene and won round one of the Contact Energy My Sport Series in Rotorua earlier this month after earlier winning his age group at the Hamburg World Championships.

Tri NZ Community Development Officer Richard Sceats says Takapuna is set to provide a great atmosphere thanks to the support from council and sponsors.

"It is rare for any event to get road closures these days and with safety top of mind it can make for a few sleepless nights for race directors. But the North Shore City Council has been superb in assisting us to put in place a closed criterium style bike course and a run that includes the beachfront reserve and a finish down Hurstmere Road in front of the cafes and restaurants."

Young Stars at Takapuna
Male
Ryan Sissons
19 years old, former McLeans College student, Secondary Schools Champion 2006.
Member of the World Championship U19 team 2007 Hamburg. Running background, coached by Peter Bennets

Tony Dodds
20 years old, NZ U23 elite champion, won the Oceania U23 Championship in Wellington in early 2007. Based in Christchurch. Won race one in Stroke and Stride Series, defeating five time winner Brent Foster. ITU ranking 240

James Elvery
23 years old, Chasing a spot in Beijing, has just completed his University education and is ready to focus on Triathlon once again, ITU ranking 111

Tama Christensen
19 years old, from Taranaki. Winner of the 20 to 24 age group at the 2007 Hamburg World Champs. Running specialist, Coached by Graham Park

Female
Nicky Samuels
24 years old, chasing the third and final spot on the NZ team in Beijing. Podium finish at Kitzbuhel on the World Cup circuit in 2007

Jacqui Seebold
21 years old, member of the NZ team at the U23 World Champs Hamburg 2007

Sarah Bryant
22 years old, won U23 elite junior nationals in Wellington in 2007. Member of the U23 NZ team at the World Champs in Hamburg 2007

Kiwis racing in Ironman Western Australia

36 Kiwis are listed among the nearly 1000 starters in Sunday's Ironman Western Australia in Busselton, 300km south of Perth. Included are two newcomer pro's who burst onto the scene in Ironman New Zealand 2007 - Taupo's Duncan Milne and Gina Ferguson fresh from her sensational win in Ironman Wisconsin.

They will have their work cut out for them with 30 men and 14 women pros ready to race. If Ferguson is on form however she should have the measure of the field. NSW’s Charlotte Paul should be her main competitor with Bella Comerford, Joanne King and Belinda Harrison also ones to watch.

Top of the men's list are former Australian winners Jason Shortis and Mitch Anderson. Others to watch are Patrick Vernay winner of Ironman Australia this year, and Raynard Tissink who has won an Ironman title on every continent except Australia.

The course is fast and flat with US$50,000 up for anyone who can beat the current world best Ironman time.

Also entered is evergreen Garth Barfoot who will be one of five competitors in the male 7-74 age group.

The number in brackets in the list below shows the number of previous finishes in Ironman Western Australia.

New Zealand entrants Ironman Western Australia 2nd December 2007
Women
Longdill Anna (1) 25-29
Morgan-Marshall Kendal 25-29
Trendle Deborah (1) 25-29
Bell Kerryn 30-34
Mcdonald Kirsteen 30-34
Parish Amanda 30-34
Thomas Elizabeth 35-39
Loughnan Jane (1) 40-44
Lee Annette (1) 45-49
Ferguson Gina Pro

Men
Adams Tristan 18-24
Armstrong Stuart (1) 25-29
Glubb Liam (1) 25-29
Griffiths Duncan 25-29
Billing Aaron Stephen 30-34
Blackie Shaun 30-34
Haturini Nathan 30-34
Hazelton Glen 30-34
Hotham Scott 30-34
Munro Jacob 30-34
Scott Ian (1) 30-34
Sheather James (1) 30-34
Smith Andrew 30-34
Stobba John 30-34
Holebrook Gareth 35-39
Marshall Jason 35-39
Mcdonald Daniel (1) 35-39
Orridge Guy 35-39
Wharram Mark 35-39
Coleman Dene 40-44
Fowler Jose Luis 40-44
Goodwin Peter (1) 45-49
Dwan Dave 50-54
Smiler Kingi 55-59
Barfoot Garth 70-74
Milne Duncan Pro