Malcolm King (Hamilton) and Simone Maier (Wanaka) took out the standard distance races at the Sovereign Tri Series Wanaka event today, in doing so claiming South Island Championships to go with their respective age group and overall victories.
Near perfect conditions greeted the 250 plus participants at Roys Bay Reserve on Saturday morning, with the strong winds of the day and night before abating, much to the delight of those made a little nervous by the choppy conditions of the previous 24 hours.
King dominated the race from start to finish, knowing that he had to build a margin ahead of some faster runners.
 Men’s standard distance winner Malcolm King crosses the line(Photo: Sovereign Tri Series; click to enlarge) |
“Conditions were good, a bit of a headwind on the way back but cycling is my strength so I enjoyed that. I am down here to race and holiday with my family, the goal was to be on the podium, I didn’t expect this so am super stoked to be grabbing the finish ribbon for the first time. I was surprised to pull away in the water and to be leading so early but I knew there were some good runners behind me so I had to build that lead and hold on.”
Simone Maier took out the overall women’s title, winning her 35 to 39 age group in the process. The Nicky Samuels coached Maier is building towards Challenge Wanaka on February 20th so today was ideal.
“My coach recommended this race as a good hit out and training day to see how I will go. I have just had a big season racing in China for a month and Malaysia and then winning in Australia. My buildup here hasn’t been that great, I have been sick a lot but we will see. Today was amazing, I went in the lake yesterday and on my bike and thought it would be shocking but today was great, Wanaka at its best.”
Another Nicky Samuels coached athlete Janus Staufenberg took out the National Junior Series race, part of a summer campaign of events giving the best young talent around the country the chance to race for their region and in ITU like conditions, with the bike leg being draft legal.
“It was tough but I think we pushed well together as a group and I sat up a bit after coming out of the water to wait for a bunch to form so we could work together and get away from the chase pack,” said Staufenberg. “We discussed doing this the other day at our Regional Youth Camp and to decide on what decision to make in that situation. We had a similar thing happen in the North Island before Christmas but today I made the call to sit up and wait, and it worked out well.
“The National Junior Series is a great experience and great preparation for the future and whatever goals we want to achieve. For me the big goal right now is to make it into that National Talent Squad, this is a good step in that direction.”
Ari Graham (Christchurch) won the Junior Women’s event from Anna Lindsay (Dunedin) and Phoebe Young (Wanaka).
A feature of the day was the involvement of Paratri competitors Ed Jones and Hannah Patcoe, both of whom enjoyed the day under sunny skies in Wanaka, with sight impaired competitor Patcoe receiving a loud ovation as she was led to the finish by her guide Rosa.
There were events for everyone, from the kids in the Splash and Dash (a short swim parallel to the shore in shallow water followed by a short run along the lake front and over the finish line) to beginners in the short distance and to those more adventurous in the standard distance, with medals handed out in each age group for South Island Championships.
Event Director Stuart Dwight reflected on a successful day.
“How could we not enjoy this, in a place as stunning as this, just look around you and take it all in, amazing. The weather has played its part, the wind died away from yesterday and we have seen everyone safely over the finish line, if there were any withdrawals they were for minor issues and everyone has enjoyed their day tremendously.
“This is the second year back at this location after a break in the series and we are hopeful that it will continue to build and be seen as a must do event in the South Island. Attracting visitors to the region is a key to the local tourism and hospitality industries and why not come to Wanaka to do a Sovereign Series Triathlon, there is something for the whole family to enjoy.”
Samuels took time out from her training schedule to come and support everyone in the event, spending time at the Sovereign marquee helping to hand out the ‘Take Charge Finishers Medals’ and chat with competitors and supporters, young and old. Samuels then presented the medals to all the South Island Championship place getters in the standard distance event before heading off for a four hour bike ride as she continues to lay down the foundations for her Olympic campaign.
Organisers thanked the local community and council for their support and in particular the many volunteers who turned out to make the event possible – with many of them giving up their time while on holiday.
Results: Sovereign Tri Series, Wanaka
Standard Distance (1500m swim, 38km bike, 10km run)
Overall Men
1. Malcolm King, Hamilton, 1:57:59
2. Lorenz Kissling, Wanaka, 1:58:45
3. Sam Elstob, Auckland, 1:59:02
Overall Women
1. Simone Maier, Wanaka, 2:14:16
2. Olivia Bird, Nelson, 2:14:19
3. Tamsyn Hayes, Dunedin, 2:17:56
Short Distance 300m swim, 8km bike, 3km run
Overall Men (also all from the National Junior Race)
1. Janus Staufenberg, Wanaka, 28:50
2. Latham Fairhall, Christchurch, 28:59
3. Christian Davey, Wellington, 29:04
Overall Women (also all from the National Junior Series Race)
1. Ari Graham, Christchurch, 33:38
2. Anna Lindsay, Dunedin, 33:54
3. Phoebe Young, Wanaka, 34:48
