Tri Updates are bought to you in association with :
*    Aunt Betty's creamy rice www.auntbettys.co.nz
*    Leppin Sport - http://www.leppinsport.com  assisting sports people in
being the best they possibly can be
*    Nutrition Products Retailer -  THE VAULT email  thevault@zfree.co.nz
    (freephone 0800 155 933)  Free delivery anywhere in NZ.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Anything interesting in Tri Updates today ?
You can show your support of the Tri Update service by  making a voluntary
contribution - suggested at $20 for the year to 30 June 2001
Send to Gary Boyd, River Promotions, PO Box 1237, Hamilton
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brigitte McMahon tops Jones for Olympic gold
from Katherine Williams Triathlon Digest (www.triathlonlive.com):
Brigitte McMahon and Magali Messmer played the Swiss spoilers in the Olympic
women's triathlon, the race that was supposed to go to Sydney's own
Michellie Jones, the silver medallist, and the other Australians.
McMahon and Messmer pulled off an international upset that had been alluded
to back in April, when they were the 2-3 finishers, in that order, behind
Jones in the ITU World Cup over the same course.
But this was the Olympics, with the whole world watching, and the
33-year-old McMahon from Baar, Switzerland -- and married to an American --
wanted the Olympic stage to herself. She stayed close on the swim, cycled
with the leaders on the bike and asserted herself in the second half of the
run -- just when it looked like Messmer, the more decorated Swiss, might
steal the show.
McMahon made her ultimate move on the final downhill, leaving Jones looking
at silver, and two seconds behind. McMahon won in 2:00:40, to Jones'
2:00:42. Messmer came third, ahead of the other surprise of the field,
fourth-placing Joanna Zeiger of the USA. Australia's Loretta Harrop,
second-ranked behind world  No. 1 Jones, finished fifth after falling off
the run pace, halfway through.
Canada's Carol Montgomery, one of the pre-race favorites as well, fell
victim to a bike crash that took out her, Britain's Sian Brice, and one
other.
That crash aside, the race proved as brilliant and exciting as everyone had
hoped it would. Few would have chosen McMahon as the Olympic champion, for
she has not once in the last four seasons of racing, won an international- 
level triathlon outside of Switzerland. She is the ITU's No. 21-ranked triathlete.
McMahon had hinted of greatness earlier this season, however. She was the
runner-up twice in two World Cups: first in Sydney in April, then in
Lausanne in August.
It was the showcase race of triathlon's short lifetime, as the Olympics'
newest sport, and it was certainly the race of McMahon's whole life. "It was
totally overwhelming," McMahon told the race announcers soon over the line.
"he people were cheering the whole time; there was constant noise. The whole
race was totally overwhelming.
"I heard them all cheering for Michellie. But I just did my race, ran it my
way."
Jones may have been the crowd-pleaser as she upheld Australia's hopes around
the course. But the real crowd-pleaser, in the end, was the women's fight to
the finish
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Results of the Olympic Women's Triathlon -
from Katherine Williams Triathlon Digest (www.triathlonlive.com):
More complete, official results may be found at this link - they include
swim splits and bike-finishing times, but not a run split.
http://www.olympics.com/eng/sports/TR/TRW001/index.html?/eng/sports/TR/TRW001/home.html
1. Brigitte McMahon (SUI) 2:00:40
2. Michellie Jones (AUS) 2:00:42
3. Magali Messmer (SUI) 2:01:08
4. Joanna Zeiger (USA) 2:01:25
5. Loretta Harrop (AUS) 2:01:42
6. Sheila Taormina (USA) 2:02:39
7. Isabelle Mouthon (FRA) 2:02:53
8. Christine Hocq (FRA) 2:03:01
9. Nicole Hackett (AUS) 2:03:10
10. Nancy Kemp-Arendt (LUX) 2:03:14
11. Sandra Soldan (BRA) 2:03:19
12. Nina Anisimova (RUS) 2:03:26
13. Jennifer Gutierrez (USA) 2:03:38
14. Kiyomi Niwata (JPN) 2:03:53
15. Steph Forrester (GBR) 2:03:56
16. Kathleen Smet (BEL)  2:04:05
17. Akiko Hirao (JPN) 2:04:18
18. Anja Dittmer (GER) 2:04:36
19. Nora Edocseny (HUN) 2:05:20
20. Silvia Gemignani (ITA) 2:05:21
21. Joelle Franzmann (GER) 2:05:26
22. Evelyn Williamson (NZL) 2:05:38
23. Erika Molnar (HUN) 2:05:39
24. Maribel Blanco (ESP) 2:06:37
25. Wieke Hoogzaad (NED) 2:06:45
26. Silvia Pepels (NED) 2:07:05
27. Edith Cigana (ITA) 2:07:06
28. Marie Overbye (DEN) 2:07:17
29. Renata Berkova (CZE) 2:08:08
30. Lizel Moore (RSA) 2:08:18
31. Isabelle Baird (CAN) 2:08:29
32. Dan Wang (CHN) 2:08:49
33. Ingrid van Lubek (NED) 2:09:29
34. Iona Wynter (JAM) 2:10:24
35. Beatrice Mouthon (FRA) 2:11:08
36. Sibylle Matter (SUI) 2:13:25
37. Carmenza Morales (COL) 2:13:43
38. Sharon Donnelly (CAN) 2:14:35
39. Aniko Gog (HUN) 2:14:50
40. Meng Shi (CHN) 2:16:40
DNF's
Mieke Suys (BEL), accident
Carol Montgomery (CAN), accident
Mariana Ohata (BRA), accident
Carla Moreno (BRA)
Karina Fernandez Madrigal (CRC)
Haruna Hosoya (JPN)
Sian Brice (GBR) accident
Michelle Dillon (GBR)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

THEY CAME, THEY SAW, THEY KICKED OUR BUTT!
from leading Australian Triathlon Journalist Nick Munting's Oz Tri Diary
The Swiss take triathlon honours on the sport's Olympic debut.
The emotional high of the opening night of the 27th Olympic Games will live
long in the hearts and minds of Australians.
On a night when Australia showed the world the ingenuity and imagination
that is required to make corrugated iron a musical instrument; when dancing
lawn mowers vied with a marching band of thousands and hundreds of stockman
began a unique ceremony that took the world through Australia's history from
the dream time to the present, we knew these Games would be anything but
ordinary...
As the host country, and patriot Aussies, we found to our cost that on the
first day of competition this was to be the best of days and the worst of
times.
An event that held so much fascination for the world of triathlon gave those
who watched a roller coaster ride of emotions and excitement and ultimately
delivered a shock result to all but a team of dedicated Europeans.
This was an event like no other; one that proved beyond doubt that emotion
can and does live in the Classic Distance of triathlon.
The race for the second Gold Medal (the first ultimately fell to women's
shooting, an event that began one hour before the women's triathlon!) of the
27th Olympiad would ultimately fall to the very country that hosts the
Olympic movement, not the one who has so proudly launched and now hosts the
Games of 2000.
There were those who always supposed that this might be a 'team' event; and
even the formidable Aussie pair of Harrop and Hackett were 'joined at the
hip', determined to support each other's race as they plunged into the 16C
but pristine waters of Sydney Harbour on this first day of competition.
The Swiss had openly talked of sacrificing a team member in order to get
their stars into a winning position and though this ultimately never
happened, (their third team member Sibylle Matter was very much at the back
of the pack throughout each leg of the race!) the leading ladies, Brigette
McMahon and Magali Messmer were able to swim well, bike well and run
brilliantly.
It was a chilling scenario in the later part of the first lap of the run as
McMahon closed on the leading trio that at that point was no surprise.
Michellie Jones, Loretta Harrop and Magali Messmer were neck and neck. When
the newly formed quartet was then joined by the USA's Joanna Zeiger, the
huge crowd sensed a very special race was going down and then later in the
run as Harrop fell away and as Zeiger slowed, we were confronted with the
very same scenario as the 'test' event here in April this year.
As an Aussie I'm sad to say the finishing scenario this time did not go to
the April plan as the amazing Mum from Switzerland, Brigette McMahon held
out the repeated surges of a SOoo determined Michellie Jones, now solo in
attack. As Messmer dropped back the duelling duo sprinted to the line and
triathlon history; the Gold Medal heading to Switzerland by just 2.03
seconds, Jones giving her all; every last ounce of energy spent for silver!
It had been a shock from the starting block as the Harrop, Hackett
combination did not chase Sheila Taormina who took the swim out at sprint
pace. Was this a USA team tactic? If so the Aussie pair did not answer, but
rather towed the leading pack on their feet as the 1500 metres went over a
minute longer than in April.
Ironically on the back of that pack was Jones. Un-noticed by many at that
time was McMahon, on Jones' feet!
Into the bike leg and Germany's young Joelle Franzmann held toughest,
longest, while the Aussie trio attacked and led, then lost - the lead - then
regained it again in an ever changing show of force and challenge.
France, Germany, Australia and the USA were in the top three at any point.
The amazing Isabelle Mouton in her final triathlon rode into this leading
pack that at times grew to 15 women. The race itself divided into four packs
following an unfortunate accident that claimed Sian Brice and also Carol
Montgomery, leaving the Canadian with her arm in a sling and questions about
her ability to now compete in the 10,000 metres in athletics!
Towards the end of the bike, where every lap of six charged the crowd it was
Franzmann, no Jennifer Gutierrez, no - then Franzmann - who led them home
(it was Oh! So close!) ...Jones was fifth into transition but was the
fastest once there and brought the crowd to their feet with cheers that
could be heard across the city as she charged into the lead on the run.
This was vintage Jones and the cry of "Jonesy, Jonesy, Jonesy" echoed around
the sails of the Opera House as she accelerated away, joined so quickly by
Messmer and Harrop.
For Australian's that was as good as it got.
The final lap saw Jones and McMahon stride for stride, neck and neck. To be
honest, McMahon looked spent, her mouth  open, gasping for air. In truth she
was just digging ever deeper. Into the Opera House forecourt they came,
still locked together as Michellie Jones surged ever again; to be met by a
defence so secure that in the final 200-metres, the Swiss star out sprinted
her! Jones, out sprinted? Could this be - was this real?
It certainly was, Brigette McMahon entering the history books as the first
woman to win Olympic Gold in triathlon, Australia taking the silver courtesy
of the incredible efforts of Jones while Switzerland also claimed the bronze
from the USA, dual Olympian and Ironman, Joanna Zeiger fourth.
For the Australian team it was a shock to be overcome quickly, for the men
do battle in just a few hours. For Harrop and Hackett the Olympic test was a
severe rebuke for their long chase of Olympic fame. Loretta claimed filth
and down a full minute on the winner while Nicci Hackett was ninth and down
2.30!
The efforts however are still noteworthy! Australia and our Olympic woman
triathletes can hold their heads high for no other country completed the
course today with all team members in the top ten!
Of all the world champions, world cup champions and all the miles and months
and even years away from home; the effort has reaped some reward. Now it
will be time to rebuild Can Australia learn from these results? Can we
re-build and re-group and go on, perhaps better united towards a future goal
that might be triathlon glory in Greece in four years?
No matter; that time for re-planning is a way off right now. Now is the time
to clear the throats and tune the voices, find more flags and get solidly
behind Miles Stewart, Craig Walton and Peter Robertson. We need to now push
them to new heights and to celebrate the silver that we have collected,
courtesy of the incredible Michellie Jones!
And on the way, as is the way of the true Aussie sportsman, to pay homage to
Swiss precision!
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Canada's Simon Whitfield stuns with his come-from-behind run
from Katherine Williams Triathlon Digest (http://www.triathlonlive.com):
September 17, Sydney, Australia
Simon Whitfield is the Olympic champion -- and Simon Lessing is not. Who
would have called that one?
Whitfield, Canada's lone male qualifier in Sydney's Sunday-morning race,
stunned the Olympic field of more-fancied, more credentialed racers when he
ran from behind in the final 3 kilometers. Matching what Switzerland's
Brigitte McMahon did 24 hours earlier, he also sealed triathlon's reputation
as a sport where pre-race favorites' tags no longer amount to much.
Whitfield, the ITU's No. 13-ranked man, won in 1:48:24. He left the silver
medal to Germany's Stefan Vuckovic (1:48:37) and bronze to Czech Republic's
Jan Rehula (1:48:46).
The hyped, home-team Australian charge was left in the dust, with Miles
Stewart the first in at sixth, and swim leader Craig Walton, 16th.
Broad speculation that had put money on the Brits, Simon Lessing
particularly and also -- until word circulated of the cold he caught last
week -- Andrew Johns. Lessing, one minute down off the bike, finished ninth,
and Tim Don, the British upstart, 10th.
"You don't let two or three guys go, because before you know it, they've got
time on you," Simon Lessing told the BBC broadcasters back home. "It was
hard out there -- this is the Olympic Games."
And Whitfield is the incredible Olympic champ. Before today, his biggest
credentials ever were the three national titles he won in the last three
seasons, plus a Pan American Games bronze last year. But, if one had really
studied the charts for darkhorses, the man from Kingston, Ontario, now
living in Victoria, British Columbia, could have been tipped: He had
finished fourth in the ITU World Cup in Toronto in July, then second in the
ITU World Cup at Corner Brook, three weeks later.
Whitfield was one of the workers on the bike, where a pack of 25 or so
allowed two men -- France's Oliver Marceau and South Africa's Conrad
Stoltz -- to build a sizeable lead in the last lap. They had one minute on
the chasers out of transition, and the footrace was really on.
One imagined that Lessing, if anyone, could run into a medal position, but
the pack off the bike included the three medallists -- all of whom were
destined to have better runs than the favored Lessing. It was Vuckovic who
reeled in Stoltz first, and then Marceau. But Whitfield, clearly having the
race of his life, stayed on Vuckovic's heels, and passed to the front with
600 meters to go.
Kazakstan's Dimitry Gaag hovered in fourth, but even with his fast-closing
finishes, had just waited too late to make a move for the medals. He
finished fourth.
The Canadian won the gold as he passed Vuckovic only in the final
straightaway. He had trailed the German by four seconds with a half-mile to
go. Marceau, the reigning world champion who had done so much of the work on
both the bike and run, came in seventh.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Men
1. Simon Whitfield (CAN) 1:48:24
(17:57/0:22/58:55/0:18/30:54)
2. Stephan Vuckovic (GER) 1:48:37
(18:15/0:22/58:34/0:18/31:10)
3. Jan Rehula (CZE) 1:48:46
(17:46/0:27/58:54/0:20/31:22)
4. Dimitry Gaag (KAZ) 1:49:03
5. Ivan Rana (ESP) 1:49:10
6. Miles Stewart (AUS) 1:49:14
7. Olivier Marceau (FRA) 1:49:18
8. Reto Hug (SUI) 1:49:21
9. Simon Lessing (GBR) 1:49:24
10. Tim Don (GBR) 1:49:28
11. Andrey Gluschenko (UKR) 1:49:30
12. Andreas Raelert (GER) 1:49:31
13. Martin Krnavek (CZE) 1:49:38
14. Leandro Macedo (BRA) 1:49:50
15. Volodymyr Polikarpenko (UKR) 1:49:51
16. Craig Watson (NZL) 1:50:01
17. Hunter Kemper (USA) 1:50:05
18. Markus Keller (SUI) 1:50:15
19. Carl Blasco (FRA) 1:50:18
20. Conrad Stoltz (RSA) 1:50:24
21. Takumi Obara (JPN) 1:50:29
22. Juraci Moreira (BRA) 1:50:44
23. Eneko Llanos (ESP) 1:50:48
24. Jean-Christophe Guinchard 1:50:50
25. Ryan Bolton (USA) 1:50:52
26. Hamish Carter (NZL) 1:50:57
27. Craig Walton (AUS) 1:50:57
28. Oscar Galindez (ARG) 1:50:59
29. Johannes Enzenhofer (AUT) 1:51:02
30. Csaba Kuttor (HUN) 1:51:05
31. Stephan Bignet (FRA) 1:51:12
32. Alessandro Bottoni (ITA) 1:51:18
33. Vassilas Krommidas (GRE) 1:51:28
34. Peter Robertson (AUS) 1:51:39
35. Joachim Willen (SWE) 1:51:40
36. Hideo Fukui (JPN) 1:52:04
37. Gilberto Gonzalez (VEN) 1:52:13
38. Ben Bright (NZL) 1:52:17
39. Armando Barcellos (BRA) 1:53:42
40. Nick Radkewich (USA) 1:53:44
41. Matias Brain (CHI) 1:53:44
42. Eric van der Linden (NED) 1:54:32
43. Rob Barel (NED) 1:55:36
44. Jan Hansen (DEN) 1:55:42
45. Roland Melis (AHO) 1:56:11
46. Hiroyuki Nishiuchi (JPN) 1:56:59
47. Mikhail Kuznetsov (KAZ) 1:59:13
48. Dennis Looze (NED) 2:00:23
DNFs:
Andrew Johns (GBR),
Jose Merchan (ESP),
Filip Ospaly (CZE),
Mark Marabini (ZIM).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYDNEY 2000 A SPECTATORS PERSPECTIVE
from Tri Update reader Russell Williams
The Triathlon in Sydney was just superb. The weather perfect, the biggest
crowd imaginable, all happy people, no agro.  
I have watched the Aussie coverage which was so biased towards the Aussies 
and have the NZ TV recorded for viewing so I can compare the two.
The only NZ triathlete I saw and talked to was Sue Clark
Disappointing results from NZers but a great spectacle and tri was the
winner.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

GERMAN TV COVERAGE OF OLYMPICS TRIATHLON
from Jochen Hupfer
We had also a full live coverage, but due to the time difference it was
broadcasted 2 hours past midnight. I saw the race on TV, it was really
exciting. Stephan Vuckovic finished in style despite loosing gold on the
last few meters.
On Sunday there was a lot of reports about the race at all TV stations. I
hope this will give triathlon in Germany more attention. At IM Europe it was
reported only about the Jurgen Zacks reproach that someone has manipulated
his bike at night in the transition area! A lot of bad coverage!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHITFIELD'S WIN BACK HOME:
From Dan Rishworth  owner of the Enduro Sport triathlon shop in Toronto:
originally published in Katherine Williams Triathlon Digest
www.triathlonlive.com
I am in awe of the level of coverage Simon Whitfield has received in the
Canadian media. Just a summary of the print coverage from the last two days
in the Canada's three most circulated newspapers:
Toronto Star, Sunday
- cover photo and story, "Canada's golden boy"
- full cover of Sydney 2000 section, "Simon says 'gold'" with two articles
and a large photo inside
National Post, Monday (no Sunday edition)
- cover photo and story, "Our hero heard the cry of a nation"
- masthead of the Olympics section, "A golden chase"
- two page colour photo spread inside, "Feat that will never fade"
Globe & Mail, Monday (no Sunday edition)
- cover photo and story, "'True Canadian' boosts his sport"
- cover photo of The Games section and story, "Canada's champion free spirit"
- inside photo and story, "A golden moment touches Whitfield"
In addition, the story lead television newscasts on Saturday and Sunday. One
newscaster described it as "one of the greatest moments in Canadian sporting
history."
Being part of the sport it is obviously a big deal, but I am amazed at the
effect that it has had on the general public. I have received calls and
emails from friends and family who related how intense the emotion and
excitement of Simon's winning sprint was for them.
It seems clear that regardless of anything else Simon Whitfield has put
triathlon on the map in Canada. Peter Reid and Lori Bowden's Ironman Hawaii
wins didn't even register in comparison to Olympic Gold.
We will have to wait to see the impact on participation the Olympics have,
but already we have been busy today with triathletes calling and coming by
the store just to share in the community and excitement of Canada's Olympic
triathlon victory.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

DUATHLON WORLDS WARM UP OPPORTUNITY
from TriNZ Board member Barry Larsen
There will be a duathlon for those going to Worlds on Saturday 23 September
starting at 9.30am. I have organised this mainly to help Terenzo Bozzone
but all are welcome.
Distances 6k run, 30k bike 3k run. Race headquarters PPS LTD, 4 Te Kea
Place, Albany. This is my office address and we can use facilities here. It
will be low key, no bike racks, look after your self style but anyone is
welcome to give those going to Calais a final workout.You can also make up
a team if you wish.Voluntary donation to North Harbour Junior fund in lieu
of race entry.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

KONA 2000 PREVIEW ON XTRI:
Get Ready for Kona2K - Full Pro List for Hawaii Ironman
www.xtri.com coverage of the 2000 Hawaii Ironman kicks off with a full list
of the pro athletes taking part plus our tips for top 5 and top 25 in each
race
------------------------------------------------------------------------

BIKES FOR SALE
Bianchi Mega Pro steel, brand new, never ridden. Shimano Ultegra 9 speed, 57cm
$5,500.00  phone 07 847 4629 or 025 983 803, email vrobben@lic.co.nz
Cadex CFRI excellent condition, ideal first bike. 57cm. $2,500.00
Phone 07 847 4629 or 025 983 803, email vrobben@lic.co.nz
------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW MOTU WEBSITE
From Motu Challenge Race Manger Allan Hennesey
Yes, the wait is over and we are live at www.motuchallenge.co.nz
Our very own web site is up and running! .Our new site looks great, with
maps, a photo gallery and results from the 1999 Motu, plus the race
description, programme and regulations for the 2000 event. You can even
print an entry form for this year! It is a must see, believe me.
So spread the word – we can also send regular updates on Motu 2000 entry
numbers, river and road conditions, accommodation ideas and the latest
comings and goings at “Base Motu” by email to whomever wants it every Friday
morning. We will also have an up to date database of people wanting to race
in a team so forward this link to everyone who you think should see it.
Email motuchallenge@xtra.co.nz to be included on this weekly mailing list.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLODEY MAKES CONTACT
from Peter Clode
Hello from sunny San Diego,
Firstly I must apologise for the lack of attention to my regular updates. I
have been extremely busy running around racing all over the county side and
to top that off my computer software has not been working! Enough with
excuses! As you have probably guessed I am back in Cardiff, San Diego and I
will be here for a while. In late October I will leave for the Mild Seven
multisport race in China. The other guys in the team (Paula Newby Frazer and
Chris Legh) want me to stay around and train with them. So what have I been
up too?
Last weekend I raced in Pacific Grove in Northern California, it was  a last
minute decision to enter so I rented a car and drove 8 hours on Friday
afternoon. The race was on Saturday at lunchtime and included a crawl
through beds of Kelp followed by a draft legal ride. After the swim everyone
was still together, Mike Pigg and myself attacked straight away. We managed
to get away but were joined by Marcel Vivian. After repeated attacks Marcel
still couldn’t be dropped and Mike managed to get a gap which quickly became
over a minute.
On the run I managed to catch Mike at about 7km but I couldn’t drop him and
he managed to sit on me until the end. So it came to a  sprint finish and
Mike managed to edge in front by about 1 metre and take the win. I was happy
with the result as I felt really tired and I have  recently recovered from a
calf strain obtained while racing in Canada. So now I have competed in Ten
races since leaving NZ in April. This has by far  been my most successful
season that I have ever had, I can bet that with a  little more fine tuning
this summer I will be racing faster next year. Here are my results for this
season to date…
St. Anthony’s ITU Triathlon April St. Petersburg, Florida - 9th Professional
St.Croix International Triathlon May US Virgin Islands - 4th Professional
St. Kitts International Triathlon May British Virgin Islands - 1st Professional
Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon June San Francisco, CA - 2nd Professional
World Long Distance Championships June Nice, France - 6th Professional
Edmonton ITU Triathlon July Alberta, Canada - 4th Professional
Cornerbrook ITU World Cup July Newfoundland, Canada - 10th Professional
Mrs. T’s International Triathlon August Chicago, Illinois - 7th Professional
Los Angeles International Triathlon Sept California - 4th Professional
Pacific Grove Triathlon Sept California - 2th Professional
So where to now? Well next weekend I travel to Las Vegas to see Interbike,
which lasts for 4 days. That should be a blast and it will be my first time
in Las Vegas. After that? I may race again before China but right at the
moment I am having a break, I need to rest and catch up on some sleep. Well
until I have some more exciting news I will have to say goodbye. I look
forward to catching up with everyone soon.
See ya Peter
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anything interesting in Tri Updates today ?
You can show your support of the Tri Update service by  making a voluntary
contribution - suggested at $20 for the year to 30 June 2001
Send to Gary Boyd, River Promotions, PO Box 1237, Hamilton