The highlight of the Sovereign Tri Series in Wellington was without doubt the National Junior Championships, as the best U19 athletes gathered to chase medals and further points for their regions in race three of the Tri NZ National Junior Series.
On a day when Irene van Dyk and her daughter Bianca took part in their first triathlon (and loved every minute of it) and national titles were earned in age group categories over the standard distance, it was the Juniors who put on a fantastic display in ITU style draft legal racing over the sprint distance, with 55 of the best turning out to chase medals and points for their regions.
 Liam Ward(Photo: Elias Rodriquez / TriSeries.kiwi; click to enlarge) |
Liam Ward was an impressive winner of the Junior Men’s race, delighted to have won the national title but also booked a place on the New Zealand team for the ITU World Championships in Cozumel (Mexico) later in the year.
“I came here to win, that was my goal, I am just so stoked to have taken out the win and to have booked my place in Cozumel later in the year, that takes a lot of pressure off me for the rest of the summer and I can plan towards that race now.
“I didn’t have the swim I would like but I tried not to panic coming out behind and settled into work on the bike, there was a crash on the first lap, I just about came off but avoided hitting the ground, worked to get back on and then blitzed the run. All the work over the holidays has been for this race, I am so happy it has paid off.”
Just as impressive was Junior Women’s winner Katherine Badham who mowed the field down impressively on the bike after exiting the water behind the leaders, riding up to the lead group midway through the bike before putting the hammer down on the run.
“I came in wanting to win as I knew that first spot earned a spot at Worlds, that was the goal and now I have that clarity about what I am aiming for this year. Last year in New Plymouth I don’t know if there was even ten in the race, to see this year and the growth in numbers and the girls working on the bike and not spread out in little pockets, today was so good.
 Katherine Badham(Photo: Elias Rodriquez / TriSeries.kiwi; click to enlarge) |
“The swim was okay, not too bad for me as this is definitely not my strength but is something I am improving. I came out a little behind out of the water but didn’t panic and focused on riding up to the leaders and settling in for the rest of the ride.
“The run for me is one way, I only know one way and that is to go hard right from the start, just tough it hard and that is what I did which was cool. Massive thanks to my coach Brent Foster, he has helped me all round and also the North Harbour Tri Club and my friends and training mates.”
In other racing Irene van Dyk showed she has lost none of her renowned fitness despite recently retiring from top level netball as she completed her first ever triathlon, running over the line with daughter Bianca alongside.
“That was my very very first and it felt like it too! The biking and running was absolutely fantastic, I really enjoyed that. The swimming was a bit harder when you get caught in the middle and it feels like everyone is trying to swim over you, but I came out of it well so enjoyed it.”
Daughter Bianca ran over the line with mum, both displaying the trademark van Dyk smile.
“It was good doing it with someone, especially as it was for the first time, even better that it was with mum, I found the swim okay, the bike is not my strong point but the run again was okay.”
Van Dyk might have finished her top level netball but has enjoyed the cross training aspects of preparing for and racing in a short triathlon.
“This was fantastic and Bianca and I were talking about how this is a sport that looks after the whole body, you can do it individually, in teams or as a family – there is no excuse not to do it, it is inclusive of everyone and everyone’s abilities.”
 Irene and Bianca van Dyk(Photo: Elias Rodriquez / TriSeries.kiwi; click to enlarge) |
Event Director Stuart Dwight said the event went smoothly, despite rain and the odd dash of Wellington wind making it hard for competitors at times.
“Conditions were certainly not too summer like with some rain falling and a little wind challenging the athletes later in the morning. But the athletes all took things sensibly, especially on the bike with the rain making the road a little slippery and apart from the odd slip here and there, pretty much everyone came through okay.
In the National Championships for age groupers over the standard distance, first over the line overall were Edward Rawles (Taranaki) and Rebecca Elliott (Wellington) but racing was fantastic throughout the fields as athletes looked to earn medals in their respective age groups and for many, earn places on the New Zealand age group team for the ITU World Champs in Mexico later in the year.
Results: Sovereign Tri Series, Wellington
Full results can be found at www.triseries.kiwi
National Junior (U19) Championships
Sprint Distance (also race three of the National Junior Tri Series)
Men
1. Liam Ward, Auckland, 54:50
2. Trent Dodds, Auckland, 55:16
3. Kyle Smith, Taupo, 55:30
Women
1. Katherine Badham, North Harbour, 1:01:50
2. Lizzie Stannard, Palmerston North, 1:02:09
3. Eva Goodison, Hawkes Bay, 1:03:05
National Junior Series Points Update (provisional)
With 3 of 5 races completed – Takapuna and Gisborne to come (confirmation of points to follow at www.triathlon.kiwi)
1. Central North Island
2. Auckland and the North
3. Lower North Island
4. Southland/Otago
5. Canterbury
Standard Distance - overall
Men
1. Edward Rawles, 1:53:39
2. Malcolm King, 1:54:40
3. Lorenz Kissling, 1:55:20
Women
1. Rebecca Elliott, 2:03:48
2. Taryn Ryan, 2:05:14
3. Laura Armstrong, 2:12:41
Short Distance – Overall
Men
1. Ethan Gillespie, 30:52
2. Steffan Fuller, 32:59
3. Ian Riddle, 36:29
Women
1. Lucy Newton, 39:45
2. Laura Oshea, 43:49
3. Sarah Croxford, 44:15
