A hundred and five individuals and twenty six teams competed in the annual Fresh Choice Southern Lakes Women's Triathlon and Duathlon at Lake Hayes today reinforcing the popularity of the long standing women's event.
In its 16th year the event continues to attract both dedicated multisport athletes, newcomers to the sport and women who like to compete together as a team in an all female environment.
"The camaraderie is a significant factor along with the fact that this is an event where there is no pressure," says Race Director Geoff Hunt. "Again this year we have attracted a number of women who have never participated in an event like this before."
Hunt says the race was held in excellent conditions and the standard of competition was high.
The triathlon course included a 300m swim or 2km kayak on Lake Hayes followed by a 15km bike ride on the Lake Hayes/Arrowtown road into Speargrass Flat road and return, concluding with a 5km run/walk on the Lake Hayes track.
The duathlon which is a non-swimming event began with a 1.5km run on Lake Hayes Track, then followed the triathlon's 15km biking section and 5km run to the finish.
Results in the triathlon were calculated on a time differential depending on whether competitors chose to kayak or swim the Lake Hayes leg.
The open triathlon was won by Joanna Williams (Wanaka) who pipped second placegetter Jordan Davignon (Queenstown) by 54 secs to win in a time of 51 minutes and 12 seconds.
Veteran's winner was Fiona Reid (Wanaka) in 58 minutes and 23 secs with Lucy Sellick finishing second in one hour and 6 secs.
The teams event which is always hotly contested saw the open category won by Team Jess, Clair and Scooby (Queenstown) in 58 minutes and 30 secs. The veteran section was won by Team 40 and Below (Queenstown) in one hour one minute and 13 secs while top honours in the very popular business teams section went to Wanaka Physiotherapy who finished in 54 minutes and 19 secs just three seconds ahead of Pulse Fitness after the water differential was applied.
Erin Williams (Dunedin) won the open duathlon in 56 minutes and 43 secs followed by Kirsty Tennant (Queenstown) in second place in a time of 59 minutes and 39 secs.
First place in the veteran section was won by Anne Scanlan (Wanaka) who completed the course in 57 minutes 54 secs with Evette Connolly (Queenstown) second in 59 minutes 2 secs.
The open duathlon teams event title went to The Flyers (Queenstown) in 56 minutes and 21 secs. The veterans' section was won by Team It's Not the Way We're Drinking (Queenstown) in one hour 4 minutes and 20 secs and fastest team in the business house section was The Hawea Girls (Hawea) in a time of 59 minutes and 12 secs.
Two state-of-the-art bikes signed by Sarah Ulmer, donated by Fresh Choice, were won on a number draw. Kelera Nacewa (Queenstown) won the road bike and the winner of the mountain bike was Liz Brown (Franz Josef).
"What an awesome prize to win," said Kelera who had competed in the event on a borrowed bike. "I just can't believe it."
The organisers paid tribute to the ongoing strong support of Fresh Choice and the many sponsors, representing a cross section of Southern Lakes women's businesses, who help profile the event's excellent reputation for its quality prize pool.
The events sponsors are:
