Ironman competitors will give a minute's silence at the Carbo Loading Party on
4 March 1999 to remember Sam Raphae and Steve Green.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOP 3 KIWIS AT IRONMAN IN 1998 / 1997 
To secure a top 3 Kiwi finish at Ironman New Zealand a top 10 finish overall
is required.  Not easy in what is invariably a strong International field.
1999 will be no different.  As an official New Zealand Championship Event the
Air New Zealand Ironman offers Triathlon New Zealand members the chance to
win medals in 5 year age groups. 

Triathlon New Zealand has a behind the scenes support role to the Ironman
through assisting to provide trained race marshalls and officials.  All these
people are working as part of the many hundreds of Ironman volunteers.

1998 Top 3 Kiwis and their overall placings were:

WOMEN
Fiona McKee 2         Heidi Alexander 3    Miranda Stacey 9 
MEN
Tony O'Hagen 2        Bryan Rhodes 6       Scott Ballance 

1997 Top 3 Kiwis and their overall placings were:

WOMEN
Fiona McKee 3         Sue Clark 5        Miranda Stacey 6
MEN
Stephen Farrell 4     Craig Watson 5     Scott Ballance 6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

IRONMAN EXPO
Some great new products will be on display at the Air New Zealand Ironman Expo
site including Cervelo bikes, Zoot clothing, and Champion Nutrition. 
Don't miss the  chance to check it out.  The expo runs from Wednesday March 3rd.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

DRAFTBUSTERS AND MORE 
This piece from Tri NZ Technical Commissioner Bruce Chambers

Spare a thought for the race marshall on the cycle and run course. That role is
much greater than just looking for drafting infringements. You may not realise
that some people take short cuts, block the progress of others, throw junk at
others, on one occasion a guy had a  ride in a horse float for at least 10 km
and was seen by a marshal to suddenly be in front shortly after leaving the
float. There have been fights as well. We are also the safety system as we are
the only ones on much of the course and use our phones to get medical help,
arrange mechanical support etc.

Whilst some do not like our presence, Marshalls can be on the receiving end
of the feelings of an irate competitor, remember draftbusters are there
primarily to help provide a safe and fair race for all.  Marshalls are trained
to be fair and  careful, they have all been to lectures and practical work.
When marshalls are not there , there are often more complaints about the
cheating.  Marshalls are volunteers working for the good of our sport. There
is reported that at one major race recently using draftbusters with no
training and no balls that the cheats got the prize money that was not
rightfully theirs!

Bruce Chambers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR SALE
> MAVIC HELIUMS
> DURA-ACE CASSETTE
> MICHELIN AXIAL TYRES
> BRAND NEW STILL IN BOX, NEVER RIDDEN PERFECT FOR TAUPO IRONMAN
> ONLY $2000ono  > PHONE BEAKER 021 884833
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

MASTERTRADE RESULTS
Full results including splits for the Mastertrade Triathlon can be found at
www.multisport.co.nz
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STROKE 'n' STRIDE
this Tuesday evening's Stroke & Stride will be the 75th
race of all time so you don't want to miss this one.  This event will also
be an ideal warm up for competitors entered in the FILA New Zealand Swim/Run
Champs in three weeks time as it is exactly half the distances of the
championship race.