Near perfect conditions greeted the 700 plus competitors in the 27th running of the iconic Tinman Triathlon at The Mount today, with fast times, smiling faces, sunblock and ice creams the order of the day.
In the women’s race defending champion Sam Warriner showed that age is no barrier, taking out another title as she winds down her professional career (Taupo Half will be her final bow) before focusing on her Sweat7 Coaching business and ‘racing for fun’.
 Sam Warriner wins the womens title(Photo: Sovereign Tri Series; click to enlarge) |
It was someone at the other end of their career who took out the men’s title, with 22 year old Matt Franklin (Auckland) a most impressive winner, exiting the water in first place and apart from a short time in transition, it was a lead he never relinquished.
Warriner was delighted with her win in a sport that she just loves being involved in.
“I enjoyed that so much, what a beautiful day and a great venue, I just love it here. I am starting to wind things down, but only in the sense that you won’t see me racing as a professional after the Taupo Half, that will be it for me, I have to realise perhaps that I am getting old!
“Seriously though it is family for me now, Lola is growing up and I just love my involvement in the sport with the coaching at Sweat7 and coming along to different events. I won’t finish taking part though, you will still see me racing for fun as well as supporting others.”
 Mens winner Matt Franklin(Photo: Sovereign Tri Series; click to enlarge) |
Franklin was delighted with his win, although in a comment laced with a little masochism, he wished it was windier.
“That was a great day, perfect conditions, although I would have liked a little more wind on the bike to take some more out of the lighter runners in the field, but overall a great day.
“That is one of the best results in my career for sure, I have won age group events at ITU level and a few other events but often there has not been too much depth there. Today I have beaten some good athletes in the likes of Alexi (Petri), Jay (Wallwork), Malcolm (King) and Stephen (Sheldrake).
“I am training through for the Taupo half and felt really strong coming in, even though I haven’t raced for quite a few months I just wanted to hammer that throughout and trust my training for Taupo. I came out of the water in front, was passed by Jay in transition and got a little angry and then took off on the bike, I was a little surprised at the time in put into them all on the bike to be honest and then had enough on the run.”
Franklin beat home a fast finishing Petri, with Wallwork in third place ahead of KIing and Stephen Sheldrake who was a clear age group winner in the 40 to 44 category, the former elite athlete giving up the best part of 20 years to his younger opponents. Sheldrake’s protégé Tayler Reid was forced to withdraw pre-race with bruising to a knee after a bike crash in training earlier in the week.
 Silver Fern Laura Langman crosses the finish line(Photo: Sovereign Tri Series; click to enlarge) |
Also happy to finish was Silver Fern netball star Laura Langman. The winner of many awards at the recent annual dinner, Langman was competing for the second year in a row and had to overcome some adversity on the way.
“I punctured out there! Man, I thought it was all over but I am so glad I got it repaired and finished. It must have taken me nearly 20 minutes but I feel so much better than if I had pulled out. But what a beautiful day, a great day for this event, I enjoyed it – once I got over the puncture that is!!”
Overall though it was a great day, with the weather matching the iconic status of an event that continues to go from strength to strength. From the kids who had a blast in the ‘Splash and Dash’ receiving words of advice from Tri NZ High Performance athlete Simone Ackermann (who then ran alongside some of the children in the short, fun event), to the athletes in the 75-79 age category, everyone had a blast.
Whakatane District Council were again prominent as they take after the Sovereign CEO Challenge. Winners last season and donating the $25,000 to the Kirsty Lang Family Trust, CEO Marty Grenfell led a team of close to 60 taking part in various events throughout the day.
Matt Milne (Timaru) was luckier than most though, his name was called at prize giving as the Tinman representative in the end of season draw for a brand new Suzuki Swift, where he will be one of 7 people in with a chance of driving off in the brand new car.
Results: Sovereign Tri Series Tinman, Mount Maunganui
Standard Distance (Tinman)
Men
1. Matt Franklin, Auckland, 1:43:29
2. Alexi Petrie, Auckland, 1:45:59
3. Jay Wallwork, Auckland, 1:46:03
Women
1. Sam Warriner, Taupo, 1:51:16
2. Tineke Stewart, North Harbour, 1:55:11
3. Rebecca Fogarty, Auckland, 1:56:24
Sprint (750m swim, 18km bike, 5km run)
Men
1. Trent Thorpe, Auckland, 50:57
2. Bradley Cullen, Taupo, 53:06
3. Ryan Young, Tauranga, 54:12
Women
1. Hannah Knighton, Tauranga, 1:00:42
2. Teresa Adam, Auckland, 1:00:56
3. Lynda Perry, 1:01:21
Short (300m swim, 9km bike, 3km run)
Men
1. Jade Stafford
2. Ian Garfitt
3. Shane Smith
Youth Men
1. Matt Faulconbridge
2. Jamie Shields
3. Fergus Hamilton
Women
1. Emily Kneale
2. Abbie Mortimer
3. Emma Hannan
Youth Girls
1. Natalya Carter
2. Sophie Hogan
3. Olivia Hyland
