Whangamata Tri 2013

Whangamata Contact Tri 2013

While most people my age celebrated new years at concerts drinking copious amounts of alcohol I was yet again in preparation for my first tri of the 2013 year. No better way to start the year of with a bang racing one of the most challenging and beautiful triathlons in the country.

Being the defending champion I went into the race looking to back up and defend my title. This year however I would not have everything my own way with stiff competition from seasoned professionals Clark Ellice and Mark Bowstead.

I managed to place 3^rd holding off a fast finishing Michael Poole. This was a pleasing result this early in the season and bodes well for coming events.

One of the best things about these events is testing your fitness and progression. Over the last few months I have been working particularly on getting my run volume up, this has been coming along well but I was still unsure how I would feel after a tough swim and bike. On the day it was probably my weakest leg so this is as always a work on. The swim went well coming out in touch of the leaders in third place, the work I have been doing with coach Tim Brazier and also Carterton Swim Club has given me lots of confidence with how I approach open water swimming. On the bike I rode strong throughout but was cautious at times due to the slippery roads, I rode just over the hour for 40km so this was a very solid time and pleasing given that this has not been a focus.

Overall the event was a splendid start to 2013. Podium finish and solid hitout. I look forward to my next race in Christchurch on the 13^th January.

Thanks to Contact Tri for a superbly run race, my supporters Mizuno, Specialized, CrankIt and  my number one fans on the day Carlin, Ella and Brad.

Cheers

Contact Trophy (standard distance)
Men
1 Clark Ellice (New Plymouth) 1:55:47
2 Mark Bowstead (Auckland) 1:56:02
3 Hamish Hammond (Greytown) 2:00:19
4 Michael Poole (US) (Auckland) 2:00:49
5 Sam Franklin (Auckland) 2:02:39