ALL GO FOR NAPIER SELECTION RACE 
Excitement builds for the Feb 20th / 21st Tararua Festival of Triathlon with
consistent and ever growing entries. With a weekend of 5 races, including age
group and elite selection Olympic distance events, and a Saturday night
prizegiving and party, the weekend is set to rock.

Some concern has been voiced over whether the elite race will go ahead.
All indicators are positive. Event organisers are committed to stage the
spectacle race which both the Napier public and sponsors enjoyed in 1998. 
1999 age group entries already exceed last years numbers and traditionally
the bulk of entries come in the last week. With the "festival" having been
granted selection status for two years organisers are determined to up profile
the event and add real value to the athletes. Sub two hour times are expected
in the age group race which consists of a 2 lap sea swim off Westshore beach,
a traditional out and back flat cycle, and a 2 x 5km lap flat run.

Refinements to the elite race will mean triathletes will pass through the
viewing area at transition a total of 26 times ensuring action for spectators
is maximised while providing an exciting race for the athletes.

Sunday's events are aimed at the novice with varying short course options
available for teams and individuals.

This truly is a "festival of triathlon weekend".
For more information contact;
Matt Lock mattl@clear.net.nz (06 8355470)
George Henderson coastal.pro@xtra.co.nz (06 8357229) 
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CHRISTCHURCH SELECTION RACE 
Entry Forms for the 3rd selection race in Christchurch have been dispatched
to all clubs.  If you require an entry form phone or fax your request to
Barbara Miller at 03 365 8187 
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St George Formula One Triathlon 
report provided by by Ken Maclaren
Round 2 Novotel Twin Waters Resort Sunshine Coast. 15km, 40km, 10km

Craig Watson improved one place on his  debut with a superb podium finish
in round two of this highly competitive series at the weekend. Always in
contention he was in a chase bunch that fought out places second to seventh
as rising Aussie star Peter Robertson ran away to victory.

With 500m to go he was matching strides with Miles Stewart and first round
winner Jan Rehula (Czech Republic). Round the final turn Wattie dug deep
to hang on to third and score a coveted podium finish.

From here the series moves to the Gold Coast for the Triple Super Sprint
format around a tight criterium like course. 

St George F1 Triathlon
February 6,  Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia 1.5k S, 40k B, 10k R
Men
1. Peter Robertson (AUS)   1:48:36
2. Miles Stewart (AUS)     1:48:42
3. Craig Watson (NZL)      1:48:46
4. Jan Rehula (CZE)        1:48:53
5. Courtney Atkinson (AUS) 1:49:08
6. Andrew Johns (GBR)      1:49:40
7. Chris McCormack (AUS)   1:50:00
8. Levi Maxwell (AUS)      1:50:24
9. Bryce Quirk (AUS)       1:50:27
10. Chippy Slater (AUS)    1:50:54
17. Matt Reed (NZ)         1:54:55

Women
1. Barb Lindquist (USA)    1:55:23
2. Loretta Harrop (AUS)    1:55:39
3. Jackie Gallagher (AUS)  1:56:03
4. Michellie Jones (AUS)   1:57:10
5. Joanne King (AUS)       1:57:13
6. Carol Montgomery (CAN)  1:58:50
7. Nicole Hackett (AUS)    1:59:00
8. Tracy Hargreaves (AUS)  1:59:14
9. Melissa Ashton (AUS)    1:59:20
10. Michelle Dillon (GBR)  2:00:00
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TRIATHLON WORLD CHAMPS CONFIRMED
It has been an interesting week as the story of the 1999 Triathlon worlds
unfolded.
 
Media Release One
In a media release dated February 9th from the German Triathlon Union:
"gave up the organization of the 1999 Triathlon World Championships in Munich"
 
- some people misinterpreted this release as Triathlon worlds were cancelled.      
 
Media Release Two
In a short media release dated February 11th ITU advised:
"Contrary to reports distributed on 8 February, the 1999 ITU Triathlon World
Championships are still scheduled from 4-5 September at the Olympic Rowing
facility in Munich, Germany. All changes to the ITU schedule of events are
announced immediately by ITU, the world governing body for the sport."
 
Media Release Three 
In a full media release dated February 12th ITU clarified the situation 
reproduced in part only:
"...confirming the previously announced 1999 ITU Triathlon World
Championships in Munich, Germany on 4-5 September at the Olympic Rowing
facility, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) today issued an invitation
to German triathletes to compete in the event...

...ITU has assumed full responsibility for the conduct of the competition
and related activities, including the ITU Congress, where representatives
from the affiliated National Federations will debate proposed rule changes,
discuss future plans and confirm anti-doping measures.  ITU has accepted
a gracious offer from the City of Munich to assist with public services
and sporting facilities to help defray some of the costs to stage the
competition.

...the Deutsche Triathlon Union recently announced withdrawal from the
organizing committee of the event.

...ITU has gladly accepted full responsibility for the event and
preparations to welcome the world's best are well underway.  The Munich
organizing team confirms that hundreds of volunteers have come forward
to help.  Sponsors have expressed keen interest in the event and the
management of the Olympic Rowing facility have worked hard to guarantee
a successful competition.  ITU welcomes German triathletes to test their
skills against the best in the world at what could be the best ever
Triathlon World Championships."
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BOWDEN & REID CLEAN UP POST SEASON AWARDS
This off-season, Peter Reid & Lori Bowden got married (to each other), bought
their first house (in Victoria, B.C.), and bought and washer and dryer. They
didn't need machinery to clean up all the post season triathlon awards.

Their awards include:
Lori was named LONG COURSE FEMALE TRIATHLETE OF THE YEAR by Triathlete Magazine.
Peter was named  LONG COURSE MALE TRIATHLETE OF THE YEAR by Triathlete Magazine.
Lori was named 1998 Canadian Triathlete of the Year by Triathlon Canada. 
Peter was named 1998 Canadian Triathlete of the Year by Triathlon Canada. 
Lori was named "IT WOMAN" & "DU IT" by Inside Triathlon Magazine.
Peter was named "IT PERSON & IRON IT MAN" by Inside Triathlon Magazine.
Lori was voted 1998 Women's Multisport Online Triathlete of the Year.
Peter was selected for one of the three finalists for CANADIAN ATHLETE OF THE YEAR.
   The winner will be named at a TSN televised function in Toronto.  
Lori's Women's Multisport Online Triathlete of the Year award was determined
by a poll of 1200+ WMO readers.
Results: 
1. Lori Bowden     39%
2. Natasha Badmann 35% 
3. Michellie Jones 12%

How hot are Peter & Lori? Here's two indications:
Triathlete Magazine continues to briskly sell posters of Peter & Lori for $10\each
or $15 for the pair plus shipping and handling.
Triathlete Magazine's on-line contest to win Peter Reid autographed Reebok
shoes drew nearly 7000 entries in the first 24 hours after it was posted.