2001 NZ CHAMPIONSHIP AND SELECTION RACES
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*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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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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BUSY WEEKEND AHEAD
Real busy weekend ahead.

Auckland sees the final race of this summers roadhouse triathlon series on
Sunday.   It is also the final round of the Air New Zealand Triathlon Pro
Tour.  further details contact Frank Clark  frank@firsttier.co.nz  Phone: 09
299 7971

Rotorua has the Blue Lakes multisport weekend - details further on in this
Tri Update.

Taupo plays host to the final event in the Weetbix Kids Tryathlon series
Down in the deep south is the Goldrush multisport event.  Goldrush has a
rapidly growing following with some considering it NZ's best multisport
event.

Also in Auckland is the Pizzaland duathlon
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SMITHS CITY CANTERBURY TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS
from John Ellis

Corsair bay provided a scenic backdrop for the last selection race of the
season on March 11th. The girls were given a 15minute head start in a race
to the line format. First out of the water in 22mins 22sec was Ryan Layhee
(over here from the US as an exchange student) with promising Junior Ainslie
Savage right on her heels.

In the men’s race Chris Gemmell exited the swim in a blistering 17mins
49secs with Jonathan Collett 20secs adrift. Chris then set about catching
the leading Layhee who had cleared out on her own after Anislie dropped out.
The fifteen minutes head start was eroded and a flying Gemmell who was
obviously enjoying the tough three-lap bike course caught Layhee on the last
lap of the bike.

If athletes found the bike course tough then the run up out of transition
must have been murder and I can honestly say I felt like an evil sod, but
hey they still had Cressy Terrace (a short but steep climb) to look forward
to on the second lap. Both Gemmell and Layhee were in a class of their own,
with Jonathan Collet and Catherine Wall (a junior) both comfortable in
second place.

This was a new course that while being tough was a great challenge and it
was great as the race organizer to get such positive feedback from the
athletes (and not one death threat). Next year the Girls will get a bigger
head start as Chris Gemmel got both the Primes for being first to the top of
Cressy Terrace as well as first across the Line.

So if you want to do a great (but tough) race next year watch this space.
FEMALE
1ST Ryan Layhee 2:26:25
2nd Catherine Wall 2:35:54
3rd Nola Smitheram 2:43:42
4th Alison McQueen 2:45:24
5th Merinda Lee Hassall 2:53:32
Male
1st Chris Gemmell 2:01:27
2nd Jonathan Collett 2:04:37
3rd Eddie Smith 2:06:04
4th John Newsom 2:06:07
5th Chris Mcateer 2:12:59
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Gellatly & Westenra Repeat at Tongariro
By Michael Jacques

Auckland’s Neil Gellatly and Wellington’s Jill Westenra lived up to their
top seeding when successfully defending their titles in yesterdays Genesis
Tongariro Mountain Classic adventure race.

It was a case of two for two for Westenra, who just last month successfully
defended her Coast to Coast title. At the Tongariro Classic, however, she
went one better when bettering her race record of a year ago by almost five
minutes when clocking 7hrs and 10secs for the 104km of cycling, mountain
running and kayaking.

The Wellingtonian led from start to finish. Conspicuous amongst the top 30
overall placings throughout, she eventually arrived back at Turangi 43
minutes clear of Auckland’s Joanna Gosse. But despite appearances admitted
to finding the race hard after recent illness.

"That was tough today," said Westenra moments after finishing, "I’ve been
sick since Coast to Coast, so haven’t done much training.

"Three weeks ago I couldn’t run 50 minutes run, so I found the run really
hard," she said of the 27km crossing of Mt Tongariro.

While Westenra was content to maintain her almost three year winning streak,
mens winner Neil Gellatly was over the moon to notch up a win following a
lack lustre third place in February’s Coast to Coast.

Gellatly had been ill prior to the South Island race, but in the Genesis
sponsored Tongariro Classic he was firing on all cylinders. The Aucklander
needed to be, however, for after dispensing of a strong early challenge from
Mt Maunganui’s Steve Came he had then to hold off a fast finish from Taupo’s
Craig Stevens.

Gellatly and Came rode together during the opening cycle only to get caught
in the final kilometre by a bunch led by Craig Stevens. Stevens, brother of
former New Zealand cyclist Gavin Stevens, dropped away in the run with back
problems but Steve Came hung on to Gellatly until the long climb up the
Tongariro lava flow before pulling away.

The Aucklander further extended the lead on the 15km cycle to the Tongariro
River kayak section, but once in the water he started losing ground to
Stevens, who passed Came as they exited the River on to Lake Taupo. When
push came to shove though, Gellatly had the race in control and crossed the
line with four minutes in hand over Stevens and six ahead of third placed
Steve Came.

"I’m rapt," admitted Gellatly ater recording the second fastest time ever on
the Tongariro course.

"This would the be the first race where I’ve felt in complete control of
everything that was going on. Steve Came worked me really hard on the cycle
and run but really I was just going at my own pace."

Others just going at their own pace were the Taumarunui Century 21 team of
Martin McDonald (Wgtn), Mike Laugh and Ben Fouhy, who also successfully
defended their title from last year. It wasn’t all one way traffic, however,
as it was all left to the Forest managers 20km kayak where Ben Fouhy took
his team from second to a 15 minute winning margin over the fancied Auckland
contingent of Colin McLeod, Andrew Wyatt and Wally James.

The women’s teams race was just as clear cut, with Kate Webb, Hayley Shearer
and Wendy Bartholomew clearing out ahead of Palmerston North’s "River City
Chicks," Belinda Gwillam, Alison Davies and Irene Firestone.

The family teams, however, was anything but clear cut as two teams from
Taupo’s well-performed Jensen family battled out the 104km race. Family ties
won through in the end, with both teams settling with an intentional tie at
the Turangi finish line.

One team who wasn’t settling for second best was the Auckland contingent of
Kevin Vranjes, Mark Trotman and Shaun Rice, who in trouncing their veteran
competition by 25 minutes also gave younger men a scare when finishing third
overall.

Veterans performed well in the individual race too, with recent Coast to
Coast veterans champion Hamish Goodwin (Hast) holding off Australia’s Evan
McRae for the veterans title and fourth place overall in 6hrs 34min 49sec.
McRae, who splits his year between Australia and Whakatane, finished just
four minutes further back for sixth place overall.

Close to 400 participants from as far afield as Whakatane, Christchurch,
Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, Canada, USA and the UK completed the
Genesis sponsored Tongariro Mountain Classic, making it the third biggest
adventure race in New Zealand.

Comprehensive results at the end of todays Tri Update
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NEWSTAND TIPS
The latest edition of New Zealand Sports Monthly has a great profile on
Nathan Richmond

The latest edition of NZ Multisport magazine features Steve Gurney on the
cover and has comprehensive coverage of the Speights Coast to Coast as well
as NZ sprint and standard distance triathlon champs.
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GUTBUSTER

This is a reminder for people interested in entering South Taranaki's
Rotorangi Gutbuster 2001 on Saturday 31st of March.

Entries officially closed last Friday 16th March

Still want to get in  then ring Mark Anderson Urgently on  06 278 1533 and
speak nicely to him.
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IRONMAN WETSUITS 5 BRIDGES SWIM
by Gary Boyd

Taupo swimmers dominated Saturday's 5km 5 Bridges river swim.  Carol Prop of
Taupo established a new women's record of 38 minutes seven seconds.   Trevor
Cook of Taupo recorded 34 minutes 49 seconds a meager 3 seconds outside the
existing men's record.

All 56 starters in Saturday's  2001 Ironman Wetsuits 5 Bridges River Swim
safely completed the 5km course.  The swim starts from Cobham Bridge and
finished 5km later passing under the Fairfield Bridge.  First held in 1998
the 5 Bridges swim has grown steadily from less than 20 swimmers to this
years largest ever field size.

Taupo's Trevor Cook weaqring an Ironman Wetsuit broke away from the field
very early on with a strong individual swim to finish well clear of all
rivals and only 3 seconds behind the course record.  Second place went to
North Harbor's Henry Barfoot.

The leading three women were all in a group of nine swimmers.  Aucklanders
Marianne Elston and Heather Pope went under the existing women's record  but
were beaten by two body lengths under the Fairfield Bridge finish line by
Taupo's Carol Prop.  This years women's race was the closest in the events 4
year history with only seven seconds separating the top 3 women.

First local competitors were third placed Fraser Hill, Te Awamutu in 37.55
and fourth women Eleanor Pinfold, Hamilton in 39.04

Weather conditions were perfect for Hamilton's annual endurance swim.
24 of the competitors were from outside of the Waikato.   Upper Hutt's Tim
O'Brein, the furthest traveled competitor finished in 40.48

Oldest competitor, 67 year old Hamiltonain Dave Blackie finished in 42.19
ahead of one third of the field.
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BLUE LAKES WEEKEND

Rotorua Multisport Weekend, Run by Rotorua Asociation of Triathletes.
24 March 2001
Orca Aquathlon: 6km run / 800 m swim
Orca Lake Swim: 2km
25 March 2001
Pins Blue Lake Sprint Triathlon: 750m swim, 15 km cycle, 6km run

for further information contact Dave.Joy@ForestResearch.co.nz
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WAIKANATHLON
from Peter Ellis

Fine weather and a flat sea drew a field of 116 to the 4th annual Waikanae
triathlon on Sunday with contestants ranging from the elite to first timers.
First to finish the 400 metre swim, 15 km cycle and 4 km run was ex New
Zealand triathlon team captain Greg Fraine who completed the course in 46
min 31 sec.

Second overall and first junior was Sam Mallard with Bruce Odams and Andrew
Young next to finish.

Top ranked junior Claire Fraser was the first women to cross the line in 57
min 14 sec ahead of veteran Jos Mc Donald.

The 4th annual Waikanae  triathlon proved a real hit on sunday..... great
feed back from competitors... it's a great spectator course with the riders
passing the transition area 4 times on a 2 lap circuit and the run being
half off road....

Results.
Open Men
1st Greg Fraine 46.31;
2nd Bruce Odams 47.58;
3rd Andrew Young 49.40:

Junior Men
1st Sam Mallard 47.21:
2nd Craig Mathews 50.25;
3rd Daniel Clout 51.20:

Vet Men
1st Kevin Mc Cashin 56.56;
2nd Roger Stead 58.08;
3rd Hub Carter 58.47:

Open Women
1st Karen Van Der Boom 60.17;
2nd Sarah Harrison 61.09;
3rd Miriam Jones 62.06:

Junior Women
1st Claire Fraser 57.14;
2nd Kirsty Turner 78.28:

Vet Women
1st Jos Mc Donald 59.40;
2nd Joanne Forster 65.22;
3rd Marg Ford 66.30:

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CYCLETIME TRIATHLON
by Gary Boyd

Paul De Rijk of Tauranga was the surprise winner of Sunday's Cycle Time
Triathlon in Hamilton.  Anna Tyler of Taupo made it two wins in two weeks as
she cleaned up the womens field.

Hamilton's Mike Gilbert was the first to complete the Phillips Electrical
800 mtr swim from Wellington St Beach to Bridge St Bridge.  Close on his
heels was Hamilton Mafia clubmate and race favorite Brodie Madgewick.

Former national champion Shanelle Barrett of Taupo was the leading women
after the swim just ahead of  Mount Maunganui's Sandra Boubee and Taupo's
Anna Tyler.

Madgewick who placed fourth at the NZ champs a month ago in Napier had, on
paper at least, the goods to claim his first home town victory.   A puncture
just 2km's into the 20 km Cycle Time bike ride bought a premature end to
Madgewick's  day.  Tauranga's De Rijk, fifth out of the swim, was able to
catch the flying Gilbert during the cycle and entered transition only
seconds behind Gilbert.  Having a very strong race was Fairfield College
Student Garit Read who was fourth man overall back into transition.

Tyler passed clubmate Barrett during the womens cycle stage to take a
comfortable lead into the second transition.  Barrett is a renowned runner
but Tyler worked hard during the run to retain her lead and claim victory.
Gisborne junior Michelle Hyland was third.

Severe stomach cramps during the Southland Building Society 5km run saw
Gilbert fade to fifth place.  With both Gilbert and Madgewick out of
contention De Rijk assumed the lead.  Read was running quickly through  the
field but not quick enough to catch the older more experienced DeRijk.
A week ago while racing in Mount Maunganui Rotorua's Euan McKensie finished
one place ahead of Taupiri's Danny Dirks.  This Sunday Dirks reversed the
order claiming the veteran mens title and 3rd place overall with McKensie
right behind in fourth.

An exciting junior mens race fizzled out when discomfort from a minor muscle
tear forced Caleb Hill to drop off the pace and then a cut to the foot
hampering David Bunting's race.  Bunting was insight of Read when the foot
injury occurred.

The Cycletime Triathlon also decided Hamilton Mafia triathlon Club titles
for 2001.  Fifth place in the womens race earnt Dot Larsen the womens club
title while the Ironman wetsuits sponsored Garit Read becomes the youngest
man to ever become overall club champion.

For the junior trio of Bunting, Read and Hill focus is now on building up to
the New Zealand secondary school champs to be held in Picton on April 8th.

Results
Cycle Time Triathlon - Hamilton March 18th, 20001
Swim 800mtrs, Bike 20km, Run 5km

Men
Paul DeRijk,Tauranga  57.50
Garit Read, Hamilton 59.58
Danny Dirks, Taupiri 1.00.55
Euan McKensie, Rotorua 1.01.19
Mike Gilbert, Hamilton 1.03.17

Women
Anna Tyler, Taupo  1.02.14
Shanelle Barrett, Taupo 1.03.40
Michelle Hyland, Gisborne  1.05.26
Sandra Boubee, Mt Maunganui  1.06.43
Dot Larsen, Hamilton  1.08.15

Teams
Bay Ride Suzuki  57.17
Te Awamutu Hillbillies  59.03
Martins Home Electrics 1.01.27
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SWISS ALPS FOR ADVENTURE WORLD CHAMPS

Discovery Communications Inc. and Southern Traverse Ltd, announced that
Switzerland will play host to the inaugural Discovery Channel World
Championship Adventure Race in September.

Set to be the Worlds supreme adventure competition of the year, the
Discovery Channel World Championship Adventure Race will take place in
Switzerland's remote alpine areas, traversing  breathtaking high peaks,
glaciers and mountainous terrain. Disciplines include rafting, fixed ropes,
rappelling and mountain biking along with glacier and mountain trekking.

Race dates are set for the first week in September, 2001 with race
registration starting on August the 31st . Actual race start will be the 3rd
of September with an expected finish for the leading teams on the 7th of
September.

50 international teams, representing some of the worlds most enduring and
successful athletes will take part in the Discovery Channel World
Championship Adventure Race. Registrations opened on the 21 February and
already there are over seven countries represented in the field line up
including USA, Canada, France, Finland, Holland, Australia, Singapore and
New Zealand.
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Results
Genesis Tongariro Mountain Classic Turangi – March 17
Cycle 35/Run 27/Cycle 15/Kayak 27/Run 4

Individual Men
Neil Gellatly Akld 6:10.22
Craig Stevens Taupo 6:14.31
Steven Came Tauranga 6:16.21
Hamish Goodwin Hastings 6:34.49
Mike Johnston Akld 6:37.15
Evan McRae Australia 6:38.01
Scott Williams Akld 6:44.44
Wayne Hodgetts Orewa 6:50.51
Stuart Lynch Akld 6:52.58
Hamish Lane Tauranga 6:57.34

Individual Women
Jill Westenra Wgtn 7:00.10
Joanna Gosse Akld 7:43.18
Stephie Brown Akld 8:05.46
Alysha Blackwell Te Awamutu 8:07.57
Vicki Evans Turangi 8:14.52

Individual Veteran Men
Hamish Goodwin Hastings 6:34.49
Evan McRae Australia 6:38.01
Paul Wills Whakatane 7:04.45
Trevor Stevens Taupo 7:18.15
Les Morris Wgtn 7:29.33

Mens Teams
B Fouhy/McDonald/M Laugh 5:40.35
C McLeod/A Wyatt/W Jones 5:55.50
S Cullen/P Angland/K Nelson 6:03.0
P O’Sullivan/J Jones/G Oke 6:06.22
G Dance/B Giddy/P Cook 6:16.4

Womens Teams
K Webb/H Shearer/W Bartholomew 7:08.35
B Gwillian/V Eyers/M Baker 7:33.41
L McNaughton/L Ross 7:52.02
K Toy/P Bezar 7:57.22
N Dunkerley/R Beattie/N McLean 8:22.57

Mixed Teams
N D’Ath/G Wilson/V Farr 6:50.05
A Butterworth/C Renhart/M Fornusek 7:08.46
T Woodward/E Wright/P Minehan 7:17.01
C Elliot/N Jollands/B McKay 7:17.05
J Orbell/G Alexander/K Callaghan 7:23.19

Vet Mens Team
K Vjanjes/M Trotman/S Rice 5:57.55
C Donaldson/C Mitchell/B Fletcher 6:23.30
D Sax/B Sisan/K Turner 7:15.00
R Bates/T Gazely/R Sutherland 7:19.22

Vet Womens Teams
J Loe/W Moody 8:17.32
C Scott/R Mills/L Nicol 8:30.26

Family Teams
G Jenson/S Jenson/I Jenson
S Kerrisk/M Jenson/T Jenson
J Vennell/H Vennell/M Vennell