New Zealanders dominated the popular Ligue Caledonienne International Triathlon in Noumea with Ryan Sissons and Jo Lawn taking line honours ahead of a clutch of international triathletes.
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| Jo Lawn and Ryan Sissons in Noumea (Photo: Triathlon NZ) |
For Sissons victory was sweet after he finished fourth in the same event last year.
"This is a great race and the organizers do a great job on putting on an awesome event with a good group of international triathletes. The race started at 8am, and by this time it was already starting to warm up, which is perfect for me. I had a good swim in my new Blueseventy tri-suit and exited the water at the front with a group of four."
That lead group soon became three and it included Michael Poole (Auckland) as Sissons took the bike out hard. At about 7km into the first lap another 3 athletes joined that trio with John Polson, Aaron Farlow (both Australia) and Patrick Vernay (the home favourite) bridging the gap. Ironman NZ champion Cameron Brown was working hard by himself to try and bridge the gap up to the front.
On to the run and a group of five battled out a torrid first kilometre with Sissons biding his time before he unleashed his race winning move.
"The pace was solid with Polson slightly off the front and pushing. I hung back with Farlow as I knew it was still a long way to go. We caught Polson at 2km and by this time there were only 3 of us left at the front, with Vernay and Poole trailing.
"I was feeling really comfortable and was just planning my 'tricky trick', which I did at about 6.5km. I surged hard and got away, instantly putting a gap on the others and I knew this was the time to make it count, so I kept on pushing the pace.
"The crowd on the way back into transition and up to the finish shoot was great with hundreds of people lining the streets cheering all the athletes on. I came across the line winning my first Noumea International Triathlon in front of some other great athletes and a loud crowd."
In the women's race Jo Lawn was delighted with her late decision to race after hearing so many people rave about the event.
"I only decided a few weeks ago to do this race, I have heard so many good things about it and I decided to give it ago. Olympic distance for me is ouch ouch and a few more. But this is such a great way to get back into the swing of things after some time off.
"The swim for me was fast. These Olympic distance swims are fast and furious, a pace at which I am not so comfortable at. Actually the whole race is something that I am not too comfortable at. But who is when you are pushing yourself to your max for 2hours!"
Lawn emerged from the swim amongst the leaders but not sure of her actual placing, knowing that endurance and strength would be her allies on the day, but worried about her lack of speed.
"I have been doing some real tough runs up in the Waitakeres in Auckland, no speed work but plenty of endurance. I was comfortable and in control for the entire run and quickly dropped the two Aussie girls I was with and now I had only one left in front of me in Caroline Steffen. The 'Swiss Miss' had beaten me in Tauranga earlier in the year and I wanted revenge.
"I ran well and felt so good that within 5km I had her. But being such a good athlete I knew she wasn't going to give an inch. She pushed me by attacking a few times but I just relaxed and let her lose all her energy, then went for it with 2.5km to go. I had to go and go all the way. No looking back, oh accept for a few sneak peeks near the finish line."
25th Anniversary Noumea International Triathlon
Elite Men
1 Ryan Sissons NZL
2 Aaron Farlow Aus
3 John Polsen Aus
4 Patrick Vernay New Caledonia
5 Michael Poole NZL
6 Cameron Brown NZL
7 Liam Scopes NZL
DNF Cameron Goldsmith NZL
Elite Women
1 Jo Lawn NZL
2 Caroline Steffen SUI
3 Rachel Paxton AUS
4 Melissa Trimm AUS
