Experienced Heads Too Strong in Whangamata Heat
Click to enlarge
12.01.2008 2nd Mens placed Cameron Brown in action during the Contact Energy My Sports Triathalon series at Whangamata.
Photo Credit Michael Bradley ©JetPhotography.
Click to enlarge
12.01.2008 2nd Mens placed Cameron Brown in action during the Contact Energy My Sports Triathalon series at Whangamata.
Photo Credit Michael Bradley ©JetPhotography.
Click to enlarge
12.01.2008 Competitors in action during the Contact Energy My Sports Triathalon series at Whangamata. Photo Credit
Michael Bradley ©JetPhotography.
Click to enlarge
12.01.2008 Competitors in action during the Contact Energy My Sports Triathalon series at Whangamata. Photo Credit
Michael Bradley ©JetPhotography.
For immediate release from Triathlon NZ
11th January 2008
EXPERIENCED HEADS TOO STRONG IN WHANGAMATA HEAT
Stephen Sheldrake put the pain of last week’s Half Ironman behind him to once again stamp his class all over the Contact
Energy My Sport Series with a commanding win in stunning summer conditions in Whangamata today.
The 34 year old wasn’t sure how the body would react after a tough workout last week and two laps into the swim it
didn’t look good with the Gisborne athlete trailing Dylan McNeice (Christchurch) by almost 2 minutes.
But an incredible last lap in the surf closed the gap to 30 seconds and from that moment the race was in the defending
series champions control.
“I caught an incredible wave on the last lap of the swim after getting nothing on the first two and with an amazing ride
closed right up on Dylan. The ride went to plan, I had to be aggressive on what is a tough bike leg to gap some of the
quicker runners. I managed that and from then on it was a case of controlling the race on the run leg home.”
Sheldrake finished ahead of six time Ironman NZ champion Cameron Brown. The 35 year old was pleased with his days work.
“The swim was tough today, tougher than I expected and from that point in such a short race it was always going to be
difficult to catch the athletes used to these shorter distances. But I enjoyed it immensely, it is a favourite race of
mine and in some ways reminded me of 1991 when I beat Rick Wells with young Tama Christensen running alongside me for
most of the way.”
As expected the women’s Contact Energy Cup race turned into a benefit for the increasingly impressive Nicky Samuels
(Whangarei). Samuels is targeting the final Olympic qualifying race in Mooloolaba in late March and was simply too good
for the field today finishing well clear of Katherine Anton and Janine Sax.
“Wow what a hard swim and a hard bike but a great race. I felt good today, within myself and clearly getting fitter
every race. Today was a great rehearsal in some ways for Mooloolaba with a salt water surf swim and tough bike in hot
conditions, boy the conditions were hot.”
Samuels is pleased with her form in what looms as a big few months.
“I am right on target with my swimming the best it’s ever been and the cycling also working well. I need now to finish
it off with a strong run and that is the focus for me in training.”
Another talking point around the race today was the return to competitive triathlon for Anna Hamilton. The former top
ranked athlete is on the road to recovery after a horrific accident while training some months ago. Hamilton rode the
bike leg in a team effort today and was thrilled to be back in the sport.
“Things are moving very slowly but most importantly slowly forward and today is another step in that process. It is just
great to be involved in the sport again. I have no fear in getting back out there and hope to be back into racing as
soon as I can but for now it is working slowly but surely back to fitness and 100% health.”
Tri NZ CEO Dave Beeche was delighted with the response from the triathlon community with 299 participants.
“We’ve more than doubled the entry list from last year and the number of first time competitors was great to see. The
potential for this race with the new date of early January is enormous and will see an even bigger entry list next year
I’m sure. The local community has been superb, the volunteers wonderful and the officials and surf lifesaving club
tremendous in their support of the event making it a safe and successful day.”
The Contact Energy My Sport Series now moves on to Timaru on the 27th January. Full details, race report and results can
be found at www.triathlon.org.nz from later this evening.
Contact Energy Cup Men
1 Stephen Sheldrake Gisborne 2:01:56
2 Cameron Brown Auckland 2:04:04
3 Callum Millward North Shore 2:04:13
4 Tama Christensen Palmerston North 2:04:30
5 Graham O’Grady Hamilton 2:04:39
6 Ryan Sissons Auckland 2:05:13
7 Martin van Barneveld Wellington 2:09:01
8 Dylan McNeice Christchurch 2:09:54
9 Bobby Douglas Invercargill 2:10:36
10 Tristan Calwell Auckland 2:11:26
Contact Energy Cup Women
1 Nicky Samuels Whangarei 2:14:18
2 Katherine Anton Whangarei 2:20:40
3 Janine Sax Bay of Plenty 2:24:54
4 Fleur Bromley Auckland 2:26:16
5 Julia Grant Christchurch 2:28:47
6 Marina Fowell Auckland 2:29:50
7 Danielle Montogue Tauranga 2:32:40
8 Nicola Mackay Tauranga 2:34:06
9 Naomi Ferguson Hastings 2:35:14
10 Belinda Harper Auckland 2:36:07
ENDS