A young New Zealand team has performed with distinction at the ITU Osaka ASTC Sprint Triathlon Asian Cup today, recording two podium results and 6 athletes in the top 15 in what was for all a rare foray into international competition as they embark on their triathlon careers.
Leading the way was Tayler Reid (Gisborne) and Dan Hoy (Auckland) with 2nd and 3rd place finishes respectively in the elite men's race, both dueling in a sprint to the line. Andy Ranford (Auckland) was also in the mix, racing well to come home in 9th place while the bigger framed Cooper Rand (Auckland) found the heat a little tough on the back of a limited build up as he returns to full fitness but still finished 18th.
In the elite women's race the New Zealanders were again consistent with Maddie Dillon (Auckland) 8th, Elise Salt (Auckland) 11th and Deb Lynch (Wellington) 15th.
Tri NZ Talent Development coach Tim Brazier is with the team in Japan and was delighted with all outcomes.
"Conditions were really tough with 95% humidity and it was over 30 degrees, it really suited the Japanese and Aussies from the Gold Coast. Tayler and Dan in particular did well in those conditions but our older athletes are a bit bigger and suffered a little more in the energy sapping heat.
"The girls too did well, against a quality field that included the junior world champion from Japan and a bunch of class Aussies in the field, they all fought well in the conditions.
"Andy and Maddie are the only ones to have raced in Asia before but for the others the conditions were very new and most of the rest have never raced in a field this size. Tayler has raced in the Worlds last year and Eton Dorney in the UK.
"So to add it all up, with big international fields and tough conditions, I am very happy with everyone, they all contributed to the race and were not dictated to by the others, they worked hard throughout and can be proud of their race execution, each looking at their own goals and objectives on the day."
16 year old Dan Hoy's result was all the more incredible given he was the youngest in the field.
"The weather was very warm meaning a non-wetsuit swim which I enjoyed, exiting out the back of the front bunch. I found the bike really tough but got off the bike with the lead bunch, then one guy went off the front but I ran with Tayler and an Aussie for most of the way, but it was then down to the two of us Kiwis with 300m to go, Tayler took off but I managed to hold on for 3rd.
"This was a great experience, my fist international race, the depth of the field and size is bigger and better than anything I have raced before, so I am very happy to take third.
Tayler Reid also enjoyed his day and the chance to mix it internationally.
"I started off well in the swim in a deep water start, I got clear water and was in about second at the third buoy and held on to a Japanese competitors feet and sat on him the whole way around. I ran real hard into Transition and biked hard out to try and force a break. I had a couple of breaks with the eventual winner but we got pulled in each time, I tried a few times but on the last lap started preparing for the run.
"The heat was just so much, I was tipping bottles on me and used two bottles for a sprint, when I usually only use a half of one. Because of the heat I had to control the first k otherwise I might blow up so I controlled it. I was running with Dan and an Aussie until about the last lap, I saw the Aussie was struggling and Dan put in a burst and then I put in a burst so that was the Aussie gone thanks to the Kiwis. I know I have good sprint so I was hanging with Dan and went with 300m to go and smashed it away for second."
Maddie Dillon has raced in Asia before, at Tonyeong in Korea but has only been running for four weeks as she returns from a long term tendon injury.
"It was a pretty good day for me, I handle the heat pretty good, I am happy with the race. Of course I wanted a podium but I have only been running for four weeks so to hold in the top ten after a hard ride, I am pleased.
"I came out in a big group with the other Kiwi girls in the swim and then went as hard as I could on the bike, I knew my run wouldn't be there yet. I went up the big hill and we dropped quite a few girls and it was down to me, some Aussies and Japanese, we put good time into the second group, I then found my legs on the second part of the run but by then it was too late. I am happy though considering I worked so hard."
