WEETBIX SERIES UPDATE
by Terry Sheldrake, Race Director Kiwi-Kids series
(note this article was written prior to yesterdays event in Auckland)
The New Zealand Sanitarium Health Food Company Kiwi Kids Tryathlon Series is
now half way, with record numbers participating in each of the following
cities. Wellington (1300), Christchurch (1700), Tauranga (1800) and Nelson
(1000).
This weekend in Auckland we have the ultimate challenge of 3002 children
registered to compete in what we believe will be the largest ever children’s
triathlon possibly anywhere in the world. Along with the large number of
children will be close on 10,000 parents,family members and care givers. In
attendance at the Auckland event will be guests Olympic New Zealand
Triathlete Hamish Carter, America’s Cup winning Team New Zealand Yachting
Crew and our Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Helen Clark.
This 7 event series is run concurrently involving hundreds of volunteers
many of whom are from the New Zealand Triathlon family. Ages participating
include individuals and teams 8 year old to 15 years, utilising various
locations including Olympic size swimming pools, open sea swims, state
highways, parks and reserves. Each participant receives a sought after
medallion, finishers certificate and the opportunity to win major spot
prizes such as Avanti bikes and Lucozade product.
A new innovation this year is that we have profiled New Zealand triathletes
working one on one with children who require specialist assistance,
involving a personal nutrition programme and working with issues such as
lack of confidence, self esteem and fitness.
Our event series team is forever encouraged by the enthusiasm of these
children, simply giving it a go. This is the ninth year of the Series and
already planning is underway for 2002.
Further, to guarantee the future of triathlon in New Zealand, every child
participating this year has become a member of Triathlon New Zealand by
taking part in the Kiwi Kids Weet-Bix Series.
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Tri Updates are bought to you in association with :
* Leppin Sport - http://www.leppinsport.com
* Aunt Betty's creamy rice www.auntbettys.co.nz
* Fitness Solutions www.fitnet.co.nz "Best value shoes in NZ and a huge
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* Ironman Wetsuits www.ironman wetsuits.com Phone 0800 476 662
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NEED A COACH ?
Contact Tony O'Hagan for professional coaching from Sprint Distance to
Ironman for all abilities. Tony is a TriNZ accredited coach and winner of 5
NZ titles. Email tony.ohagan@paradise.net.nz
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IRONMAN SUCCESS
Congrats to Cameron Brown on winning the New Zealand Ironman in Taupo just
over a week ago. Two Ironman races have been held in 2001 and both were
won by Kiwi men ( Bryan Rhodes won Malaysia )
Karyn Ballance claiming second place for the third year in a row is a model
of consistency. Great to see Karen looking a lot happier as she raced this
year.
Heaps of good coverage at www.xtri.com including stories in their own words
by respective winners Cameron Brown and Lisa Bentley
You can see Ironman highlights on TV1's Suzuki Sportzone this Saturday,
March 17th from 2pm.
Not sure if it was just my imagination but there sure seemed to be a lot of
Kiwi age group winners this year. Does anyone know if this was higher than
normal ?
Want to see some more race coverage then check out all three of these sites.
www.triathlon.co.nz www.ironman.co.nz and www.ironmanlive.com
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ENTRIES STILL BEING ACCEPTED
It's not too late to enter the Ironman wetsuits 5 Bridges river swim in
Hamilton this Saturday or the Cycletime Triathlon in Hamilton this Sunday.
For entry forms email riverpro@wave.co.nz
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DUATHLON NATIONALS
entry forms are now available for duathlon nationals. If interested please
E Mail spiers.and.co@inspire.net.nz your full name and postal address.
Also if there are any Clubs or cycle shops that want some forms please let
Grant Spiers know at the above email address
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KIWI SISTERS TIED FOR LEAD
Megan Evans won the last Kurnell race so that Heather and Megan now have
equal points.
The next race when they both enter will be very interesting for us.They are
great friends and spend a lot of time together but are both very
competitive!!
Megan is organising to go to RSA and race in the Port Elizabeth triathlon
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Aussie Chris Hill and American Barb Lindquist won the ITU points race held
in Devonport Tasmania over the Weekend. None of the NZ contingent made a
podium finish.
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UNICHEM BAYFAIR PHARMACY TRIATHLON
from Jeremy Boase
In perfect racing conditions, 18 year old Clark Ellice proved the fastest
athlete at yesterday’s Unichem Bayfair Pharmacy Triathlon held at Pilot Bay,
Mount Maunganui.
Ellice, originally from New Plymouth but currently training and racing in
Auckland, exited the 750 metre swim on the toes of early leader, and
defending champion, Bryan Rhodes from Taupo. Rhodes, who has been
concentrating on Ironman-distance races this season, found Ellice’s pace on
the 18 kilometre cycle leg too hot, trailing the youngster into the bike-run
transition by almost a minute.
Just behind Rhodes into the bike-run transition was Tauranga’s Paul de Rijk,
who has won this race a record six times in the past. Making up for a slower
swim and defying his lack of serious training, de Rijk scorched the bike
course to put himself in with a chance of catching Ellice on the 5.5
kilometre run around the Mount.
However, Ellice proved himself a class act, holding off the fast-finishing
de Rijk to finish first in front of a large crowd. De Rijk closed to within
12 seconds of Ellice at the end, comfortably taking second from another
junior, Garit Read from Hamilton. Rhodes, after a tough season, including
winning the Malaysian Ironman six weeks ago, faded to fifth overall behind
Aucklander Tristan Calwell.
In the women’s race, Taupo’s Anna Tyler led from the water and never
relinquished that lead, eventually winning by a commanding 3 minutes. Behind
her the minor placings changed hands regularly during the race as
experienced athletes Marina Fowell (Whakatane) and Sandra Boubee (Mount
Maunganui) battled with juniors Seah Martin (Auckland), Fiona Loan (Taupo)
and Michelle Hyland (Gisborne).
By the end of the run, honours were even in the experience versus youth
battle, with Fowell edging Hyland into third, while Boubee overcame the
challenge of Loan to take fourth.
Among the 314 entries more than 60 were teams of two or three.
Complete results by age-group
Male 13-16yrs
1 Garit Read (Hamilton) 57m 16s (third overall)
2 Robert Taylor (Whangamata) 59m 38s
3 David Bunting (Hamilton) 61m 28s
Male 17-19yrs
1 Clark Ellice (New Plymouth) 55m 49s (first overall)
Male 20-39yrs
1 Paul de Rijk (Tauranga) 56m 01s (second overall)
2 Tristan Calwell (Auckland) 57m 37s
3 Brian Rhodes (Taupo) 58m 32s
Male 40+ yrs
1 Andrew Ross (Whakatane) 58m 34s
2 Euan Mackenzie (Rotorua) 59m 21s
3 Danny Dirks (Taupiri) 60m 06s
Female 13-16yrs
1 Michelle Hyland (Gisborne) 63m 22s (third overall)
2 Seah Martin (Auckland) 64m 25s
3 Alice Towgood (Tauranga) 71m 46s
Female 17-19yrs
1 Fiona Loan (Taupo) 65m 38s
2 Moira Kilpatrick (Welcome Bay) 70m 37s
3 Phillippa Jensen (Mt Maunganui) 71m 47s
Female 20-39yrs
1 Anna Tyler (Taupo) 59m 57s (first overall)
2 Marina Fowell (Whakatane) 63m 14s (second overall)
3 Sandra Boubee (Mt Maunganui) 63m 59s
Female 40+ yrs
1 Christine Crooks (Mt Maunganui) 75m 03s
2 Julie Chapman (Whakatane) 75m 10s
3 Marielouise Bell (Tauranga) 79m 30s
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2001 NZ CHAMPIONSHIP AND SELECTION RACES
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*Mar 11th - Triathlon Selection Race (1500/40/10) - Christchurch
*May 13th - Duathlon Championships ( 10/42/5 ) - Palmerston North
National Secondary School Championships
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* April 8th - Triathlon - Picton
* July 14th - Duathlon - Nelson
* Sept 29th - Multisport - Tauranga
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MANAWATU TRI CHAMPS
from Grant Spiers
Race 4 of the Pedal Pushers / City Rock Triathlon Champs was held on Sunday
11 March 2001 at the Lido Aquatic Centre, Park Road, Palmerston North. 50+
turned out to compete which created great close racing. In the long course
Duathlon N.Z Rep Daniel Clout lead from the start creating a huge lead in
the 5K run, which was slowly eroded by Terry McPherson who made up the
deficit on the bike and swim However Clout managed to hold on to his lead to
win in 1.10.38 from Terry McPherson 2nd in 1.11.38 and the Pearce/White
teamDan 3rd in 1.19.35. Jack McKenzie had an excellent race recovering from
his Ironman race last weekend. First Women was Alison Richards in 1.30.38
followed by Lesley Graham in 1.32.32
Club champions for 2001 are:-
U 20 Men Paul Anderson 1.32.09
U20 Women Hannah Light 1.36.32
Open Men Daniel Clout 1.10.38
Open Women Alison Richards 1.30.38
Vet Men Neil Ward 1.24.36
Vet Women Lesley Graham 1.32.32
The Short course was also closely contested with Cameron Goldsmid setting a
fast run creating a huge lead, however on the bike he cramped badly and was
forced to retire. This opened up the flood gates between Tama Christiansen
and Neil Martin who ran, biked and swam side by side however Christiansen
being the better swimmer won the battle to win in 24.42 from Martin 2nd in
24.53 3rd was Simon VanVelthooven 3rd in 26.03
Korinne Brown continued her winning form to win in 27.00 from Lucy Townend
2nd in 31.10 . There were 24 in the short course who all managed to win spot
prizes.
Short course Club Champions are:-
Primary Boys Jamie Richards
Primary Girls Candice Brown
Intermediate Boys Tama Christiansen
Intermediate Girls Korinne Brown
Secondary Boys Neil Martin
Secondary Girls Kelly Deer
Thanks to sponsors Pedal Pushers/ Subway/ Galaxy/Lido & City Rock. The last
Triathlon race will be held on Sunday 25 MARCH 2001 at the Lido Aquatic
Centre where the Playstation and other prizes will be drawn. Anyone wanting
further information on the race or the Manawatu Triathlon Club contact Grant
Spiers on 06 - 355 4531.
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SOUTHERN TRAVERSE ENTRIES NOW OPEN
Registration for New Zealand's icon adventure race, the Southern Traverse
2001 are now available.
Race spots will be allocated on a first in/ first served basis and a full
field of 60 four person teams is expected to sign up.
Set to be held from the 9th - 17th of November, the race will return to its
home base of Queenstown, New Zealand and will highlight the spectacular
scenery and terrain of the Southern Lakes Region.
"The Southern Traverse has become well known worldwide for its toughness
and this years course will provide the same level of demands on the teams,"
says Southern Traverse course designer Geoff Hunt, "While all the course
checkouts have not been completed yet, our knowledge of the local area will
ensue the course is both difficult but rewarding and with a few twists and
surprises for the local teams entered."
As one of the 7 adventure race's in the new AR World Series (Adventure
Racing), the Southern Traverse will act as a qualifying event for the
Discovery Channel World Championship of Adventure Race . The winners of the
Southern Traverse will be awarded a paid up entry to the race and $5000
towards their costs. Second place getters will gain a guaranteed spot in
the Championship.
The inaugural Discovery Channel World Championship Adventure Race will be
held in Europe in September and will host leading adventure racers from
around the world to determine the true world champions. The country
destination is expected to be announced by next week.
Teams wishing to enter the Southern Traverse can register on line at
www.southerntraverse.com or by email : traverse@queenstown.co.nz or by phone
or fax: Ph: 64 3 441 8215 Fax: 64 3 441 8216
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