Sixteen make cut for world champs

It was a great day for Nelson triathletes in the age-group race at the World Cup triathlon in Auckland yesterday.

There weren't medals up for grabs, but if there had been, the 19 Nelson Tri Club members would have gained four gold medals, two silver and two bronze. Sixteen made the cutoff for selection in the national teams for next year's world champs on the same course.

Such was the depth of talent throughout the day's races that Olympic gold medallist Hamish Carter was pushed back to sixth in his 40-44 age group, Ironman legend Scott Molina was beaten into second in 50-54, while former elite world champion Ric Wells took sixth in that age group.

Top placings in the Nelson contingent went to Alex Grigg, first in the sprint race for men 50-54, Murray Tewnion, first in the same race in the 55-59 section, John Hellemans, winner of the standard distance in 55-59 and Susie Wood, who took the standard distance crown in 35-39.

Eileen Searle fulfilled her early season promise.

Up against world age-group champion Josie Sinclair in 50-54, Searle started the bike ride three minutes down after a difficult swim course, with long distances between buoys and tidal flow pushing many competitors off course.

It was hard to settle on the bike course with hills and wind combining in a tough challenge, but Searle took out the fastest bike split of her age group, followed by the fastest run to finish just 40 seconds behind Sinclair.

A novice to triathlon, Searle will gain this time and more on both the swim and transition disciplines and will be a real chance for world championship honours next October.

Gary Milbanke was another to capitalise on formerly latent talent, choosing the sprint distance and using his speed on the bike to push him into second spot in 40-45.

Former Nelson College star Campbell Hanson, now a physiotherapist in Sydney, but still a Nelson club member, finished 33rd of 735 finishers in the standard race, taking the third spot in 35-39.

Pogo Paterson-McAuley raced in the 40-44 sprint race, with one of the most consistent series of splits for third in all three disciplines and third overall.

Other Nelson club members to qualify for next year's world championship team include Robyn Harrington, Maria Voigt and Kay Stansbury-Ward in the sprint distance and Tracey Perry, Peter Gibbs and Colin Wragg in the standard distance.

Full results at triauckland.co.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News