Emotional Victory For Returning Rhodes

Ironman triathlete Bryan Rhodes secured an emotional victory at the Contact Tri Series in Timaru today, announcing his return to the sport by defending his title in his first full triathlon after suffering a snapped Achilles tendon in August last year while Janine Simpson won the women's as she too continues her return after serious injury.

In complete contrast to last year's stunning weather, It was a drizzly and overcast day that greeted the triathletes with the only blessing the lack of wind. That didn't worry Rhodes and women's winner Janine Simpson though as both held off younger opponents to secure victory.

Conditions for the swim however were near perfect on the water, although the 14 degree water temperature was perhaps cooler than most expected at this time of the year.

Top seed Bryan Rhodes led the athletes into transition out of the water but had a posse of company with Wellington teenager Cameron Goldsmid, Christchurch's Harrison Dean and Whangarei's Lee Greer all in close attendance as the lead bunch headed away on the tough 40km ride.

Rhodes soon had the field struggling in his wake though as the Christchurch based triathlete put his foot down on his stunning new P4 Cervelo to establish a four and a half minute lead off the bike.

That lead was quickly disappearing on the run though as the recovering Rhodes lack of running miles showed with Harrison Dean and Cameron Goldsmid closing fast. After one of the three laps it was down to three and a half minutes and with one to go it was one and a half.

But Rhodes had timed his day perfectly, holding on to an emotional win in memory of his good training mate Chris McAteer who passed away just over a year ago. It is McAteer's name adorning the Cup that was handed over by Chris's mum Dawn at prize giving.

"That was so hard out there today, there were some sections on the bike that were just asking for someone to come off in the wet conditions and man I was pushing it," said Rhodes.

"I kept a steady rhythm off the bike but knew I had some young guns chasing me hard so I couldn't let up. The last lap on the run was hard eh but there was no way I was going to let this one slip.

"Today is so special for me though because it is not about me, this is about my mate Chris and his family. There are times when you need to put something back in the sport and today is certainly that, a chance to race and win in his memory, I'm delighted to be taking the Cup home again and keep it safe for another year."

But today was a big step as Rhodes looks ahead to longer distances later in the year.

"This is great to put a swim, bike and run together for the first time and really begin to test the leg. I am still limited to running in trainers and will slowly build up the mileage but this is a great boost for the year and gives me some real confidence to take on the rest of the year."

In the women's Janine Simpson (nee Sax) was also on the road to recovery after a year out of the sport, also due to a troublesome Achilles tendon injury. The 32 year old came out of the water in first but like Rhodes had company, with Laura Smit right on her heels heading out on to the bike.

But again like Rhodes, Simpson proved too strong from that point, establishing a two minute 50 second lead heading into the run and running comfortably to her first ever Contact Tri Series win after consecutive fourth place results this season and numerous podiums in previous years.

"Wow, this feels quite good," was Simpson's beaming reply upon crossing the line. "The swim was interesting; through some seaweed and the cold water but the bike I just went hard and on the run as well so yeah, it was great.

"I've had almost a year out off weight bearing activity, was in a moon boot for 3 months and have had ongoing problems with my Achilles so this is great. A year ago I couldn't walk for a minute without the Achilles blowing up so this feels fantastic.

"I still have so much work to do and am really still laying down a good base for the rest of the year but to finally run down that finish line in first place and grab the finish tape in a Contact race is fantastic."

Simpson won from Laura Smith (Christchurch) and Emma Meyer (Christchurch) in third.

Earlier in the day children enjoyed a flat and fast course for the Contact 1:2:1 and participants delighted as they completed the Contact 3:9:3, a race designed for beginner or nervous participants looking at an entry level event into the sport.

Next up for the series is Kinloch at Lake Taupo on February

Results - Contact Trophy

1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run

Athlete City swim, bike, run, total

Men

Women