Graham O'Grady defended his Craigs Investment Partners Tinman triathlon title in imperious fashion on Saturday, winning comfortably from Kieran McPherson while a new name emerged on the honours roll in the women's race with Leah Stanley equally impressive in her first serious tilt at the sport for the former top level rower.
O'Grady was in control from the start in the 25th year and 22nd running of the traditional season opener and the first event in the .kiwi Tri Series at Mount Maunganui as he prepares for the Taupo Half and then the defence of his Port of Tauranga Half title in January.
 From left: Kieran McPherson (2nd), Graham O'Grady (1st), Matt Franklin (3rd)(Photo: Darryl Carey; click to enlarge) |
"That was my first race of the season and is a good gauge, it is good to come back and defend the title. Conditions were tough, I flew out on the bike but coming back it was a bit of a slog, I hard to work hard into the wind to put some time into them on the ride. I then settled into a comfortable pace and finished off well today, it was a good start that has me on track for a good summer.
"I am racing Taupo next weekend but the Port of Tauranga Half is the big one, winning this year, I would love to go back and repeat that result, I will assess things after that as to what races I will do."
Stanley was a little more of a surprise package, the former rower has only been dabbling in the sport for less tan a year but showed her potential with a consistent performance.
"I am at the end of my first year in the sport, I was in the rowing programme prior to this, I am excited to be back racing again after a long winter. I am from Auckland but have been living in Cambridge and that certainly seems to be the place to be a triathlete these days!
"The race was really good, coming back into the wind on the bike was tough but I managed to get the legs going I actually did this event with my brother and partner last year, I did the run only in about 48 minutes so I am pleased with that today.
"I plan on doing a few more of the .kiwi Tri Series events, as many as I can to get some experience and have some fun."
Sam Warriner (Whangarei) earlier withdrew towards the end of the run with a troublesome hamstring flaring up early in the 10km run leg after the former Olympian had led through much of the race.
Conditions indeed proved testing on the day, with the wind providing assistance for the triathletes on their way out from transition but making it tough work on the ride back into The Mount. Participants were otherwise treated well, with sunny skies and warm early summer temperatures making for an enjoyable day's racing.
Earlier in the day the sprint races were dominated by two of the young stars of the sport, with teenagers Tayler Reid (Gisborne) and Jaimee Leader (Palmerston North) taking out the honours as both started the season as they raced most the previous summer – out in front.
The .kiwi Tri Series now moves to Whangamata on January 3rd for the next event in the series, with the popular holiday spot set to attract another large field of participants across a wide range of events from the children's 1:2:1 to the beginners 3:9:3 and the testing standard distance race that takes athletes in and around the holiday town and onto the beautiful beach for parts of the 10km run.
Results: .kiwi Tri Series - Craigs Investment Partners Tinman
Standard Distance 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Men
1. Graham O'Grady (Kinloch) 2:00:26
2. Kieran McPherson (Matamata) 2:06:05
3. Matt Franklin (Auckland) 2:06:26
Women
1. Leah Stanley (Cambridge) 2:18:00
2. Sarah Backler (Tauranga) 2:22:57
3. Lydia Hale (Rotorua) 2:24:22
Sprint Distance 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run
Men
1. Tayler Reid (Gisborne) 1:00:48
2. Liam Ward (Auckland) 1:01:36
3. Matthew Manning (Auckland) 1:03:14
Women
1. Jaimee Leader (Palm Nth) 1:08:33
2. Ashleigh Williams (Auckland) 1:11:12
3. Amy Haddon 1:11:43
