Christchurch’s Nathan Anglem dominated the taxrefunds.co.nz Winter Triathlon this morning at the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games, putting a kilometre between himself and his nearest competitor.
The taxrefunds.co.nz Winter Triathlon is a demonstration sport at Winter Games and consists of a 7km run followed by a 12km mountain bike ride and 10km cross country ski, all on hard packed snow.
Behind Anglem in the men’s race were Ben Koons from Wanaka and Andrew Pohl from Dunedin in third.
In the women’s race first-time racer Laetitia Roux from France decided to rent some gear and give it a go. She took first place and is now considering entering the World Winter Triathlon Championships. Andrea Fancy from Wellington came second and Christchurch’s Yvonne Pfluger was in third.
Anglem said he was surprised he was so far ahead of the rest of the field but he felt comfortable and held on for an easy win.
It was the country’s top cross country skiers who took the top places in near perfect conditions at Snowfarm.
Anglem, is a cross country-skiiing specialist and he has the 2010 Winter Olympics in his sights.
“I had a great time out there today. It’s a fantastic course and an all round perfect day for it. It’s such a fun event. But it is heavily tipped in skiers favour,” he said.
Triathlon New Zealand CEO Dave Beech was at Snowfarm to watch the winter verison of his sport for the first time and said he thought it was an exciting and dynamic sport.
““I think this is a great sport. It really does look tough. Not often do you see top competitors as these, cramping up and there was more than one out there looking for attention. If we can get sufficient interest in the sport then I think it can go places, he said.
Mr Beech said the summer triathletes who competed today held their own.
“All you need is enough of a lead, in the bike and run then you are in with a chance. But the fact that cross country skiing is the most technical of all three, gives the skiers an edge up on the competition,” Mr Beech said.
Sponsor of the event and TaxRefunds.co.nz director, Geoff Matthews said Winter Triathlon was potentially New Zealand’s best hope for medals in future Olympic Games.
“Mountain biking and running are already popular sports here and cross-country skiing can be mastered in a weekend. We have the perfect terrain and we already produce many world-class multisport athletes,” he said.
Mr Matthews said Winter Triathlon would be a demonstration sport at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
