TWILIGHT DUATHLON ANNOUNCED
The Airport Challenge Duathlon on 18 March 1999 at the  Air New Zealand
Recreation Centre, Laurence Stevens Dr, Auckland Airport
Start Time: 6.30pm
Registration: 5.00 -6.00 pm
Run: 2.5 km   Bike: 12.0 km   Run: 2.5 km
For entry forms of further info contact FBI SPORT PROMOTIONS, P.O Box 73-043
Auckland Intl Airport.
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SWIM TO THE DEATH
(from January Ironfilings the newsletter of Air New Zealand Ironman
locatable it at www.ironman.co.nz)

Competitors in the Air New Zealand Ironman may take for their inspiration
the feats of an indigenous Maori more than 250 years ago.
Maori tell a story of a taua, or war party, of the tribe Ngati-Raukawa, who
launched an attack on a village near Taupo. Only one couple - Rauwhato and
her husband Turiroa managed to escape with their infant son and found refuge
in a cave near the water's edge.
Knowing their respite was short and that Turiroa could not swim, Rauwhato
fastened the baby to her shoulders and waded into the dark waters of the
lake. She and her son reached the other side, more than five miles distant,
cold and exhausted, but alive.
Sadly, for Turiroa there was no such escape. But his son lived, and was
named Te Urunga - "The Pillow" - in memory of his mother's waist-mat pillow
on which she had borne him to safety across the waters of Lake Taupo.
Ironman competitors may wish for a ride during the swim but they can take
comfort from the fact that they are swimming against the clock, and not
against the spear!
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FOR SALE - REASONABLE OFFERS
brand new CardioSport heart rate monitor, not taken out of the packet but
last year's model.  I want to sell. Train to race by following your heart
rate!!  I'll take offers
Contact Tim Fowler timf@wgtn-chamber.co.nz.
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BUYING OR SELLING
As well ae Tri Updates check out the Classified Page at www.triathlon.co.nz
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SPEEDY RECOVERY WISH
Jack McKenzie the volunteer behind www.multisport.co.nz recently suffered a
cut to his leg requiring several stitches.  Jack is aiming for his first
Ironman at Taupo.  We wish Jack ( and any others battling injuries ) a
speedy recovery and a day of fulfilled goals come March 6th.  Jack advises
that full results from the Napier half are now available at his site.
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WHAT BRINGS A DUTCH TRIATHLETE TO NZ?
story by Sione Jongstra

Hi Fellow Triathletes

Gary asked me to write a brief paragraph on "Who is Sione?" (pronounced as
she-own-a). I agreed to it about five weeks ago, but with many things
happening I just did not get around to it. Yet, finally a little bit of
background and future prospects as was requested.

I was born in Ruinen (small village) in the Netherlands, so yes I am a
tullip and clog girl. During my youth I was mainly involved in soccer and a
little bit of swimming and tennis. After having finished my secondary
school, I went to the States for one year. I always wanted to go abroad, but
my parents made me wait till I had finished my secondary school (not to
blame them).

I was placed in Victorville in California. But, Victorville is not like
Beverly Hills or anything. It is located in the high desert and there was
not much to do. However, I spent most of my time at school, as I had made
the Varsity soccer team and had to train every day. We also had matches
during the week, which we travelled to in a big yellow school bus. In summer
I made the swimming team and this was the first time I got back into
swimming after 6 years. I really enjoyed it. There were also many other
exchange students from all over the world and I had overall a great time and
experience. At the end of the year, my parents came to pick me up. We
travelled through California and surroundings for approximately three weeks.
Las Vegas, San Fransisco, Bryce and Grand Canyon made huge impressions on
me. Something you just have to see.

After my return I started to study at the International Business School of
Groningen, the Netherlands. I knew beforehand that I would have to go abroad
again for my studies, as that was what I wanted. I went flatting and enjoyed
the Dutch Studentlife (drinking age, what is that?????). There were also
many more sporting possibilities in Groningen.

In April 96 I entered a 10 weeks triathlon course, organised by the local
tri-club. I have always been involved in sports and thought this was the
great opportunity to do three sports at once. I discovered I was still a
junior that year and decided to compete in a few sprint triathlons to see
how I was going. It was going above my expectations and I really enjoyed it.
At the beginning of my second school year I decided to join the tri-club. I
did for the first time some training over the winter and was in the Dutch
summer of 1997 I was ready for my first season as a senior. I ended up doing
several Olympic Distances both in the Netherlands and Germany (yes it is
much easier to go abroad in Europe). The olympic distance is very popular in
both countries and you can compete in one almost every weekend.

Then in the winter 1998 I had to go abroad for my five month overseas study
placement. I always wondered what it would be like at the other side of the
world. And luckely they just got a new link with AIT in Auckland. I applied
immediately and was one of the three persons that could go. The first few
weeks were very hot. I had a great surprising welcome at the airport. People
I just met throught the e-mail had came to the airport and dropped me off at
my new home. Several people made me feel home already in the beginning and
were very nice and supportive in taking me around.

I got to know several triathletes and have been participating in several
events. Especially the Ultimate Challenge and Lake to Port were great team
events, which would be something to introduce in the Netherlands. I lived
for the first ten months in Mount Terrace, international student hostel, in
town. This was very convenient, but also very expensive. The convenience was
important as I found one of the drawbacks of New Zealand is the spread of
the city and another major problem is reckless drivers. I experienced this
first hand and ended up staying the night in one of the most expensive
hotels of Auckland (St Johns hospital). My backwheel bent 45 degrees bended,
but overall I was very lucky.

I was supposed to come here only for the five month placement, however I
wanted to do a double diploma degree. I tried to set this up and in April it
was arranged. This meant I would stay until January 1999. Well January is
almost over and I am still here. This is because I have found also a place
to do my five month overseas work experience. I am doing the marketing for
Leppin Sport, probably known to most of you. So the next trip home, to see
my friends and family again, is planned for the end of May. I will go on the
Croc’s tour [ to Hawaii ] and then fly home. For how long is another
question. Depending on what comes along my way during the next few months, I
decide whether it is going to be a one way or return. I will be finished
with my studies then and at the moment I do not know exactly what I want.

Maybe I will go to a Spanish speaking country to become fluent in their
language, as I am losing the language at the moment or maybe I will do a
major or come back to New Zealand to work. Who knows?? I want to thank
everybody for making my stay so great. For the ironman participants, if you
are not doing the ironman for qualifying reasons think about the one in the
Netherlands. It is always in August and personal bests are assured, as this
is really flat.

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Thanks for taking the time to share a piece of your life and impressions on
NZ Sione
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Quote Of The Day
'Do the thing and you will have the power, but they that do not the thing
have not the power'.
Ralph Waldo Emerson