Geelong Australian Olympic Distance Championships Easter Sunday 27th March 2005.

Race day photo's

Hi All,

Today was the day many had waited for on all different levels and it delivered on oh so many as well.  With Australian Age Group Titles up for grabs and the Australian Championships for the Elite as well it was sure to be a great day on the Geelong Waterfront. 

With many Tri-alliance competitors entering teams, many of the Tri-alliance New Zealand Ironman Crew thought it was best to enter in the teams event to save some weary legs from some weeks ago.  The weather was also great for the day, with a slight wind that was to serve as a cooling breeze on the run but on the bike provide a slight headwind on the way home.

The first to go this morning were the age groupers at 7.45am.  With Sophie Joynes, Alethe West, Adam Marks, Matt Gibson, Brett Archibold, Sue Shaw, Kerry Campbell, Sue Scott, Debbie Rielly and Emily Wilkinson all individual and Georgina Hagan, Belinda Harrison, Lynne Duthie, Paul Pawlak, Scott Harrison and Paul Rabbas in teams as well as plenty of other Geelong competitors to watch, it made for a very busy day for the coaches.

For those who don’t watch many of these the hardest part is knowing who is wear in what age group and this race again proved no exception.

For the age groupers on the day it was a mixed bag of results, with our girls being riddled with the flu for weeks prior to competition.  The results and all fantastic performances were as follows:

Some Outstanding results from our more mature girls from age groups 40 to 49 all gaining qualifying points for the worlds later this year.  Special mention to Sue Scott who used the Aussie Champs for her first Olympic distance tri and Debbie Reilly who is going in for a operation in the next week and has come back form many personal health issues to finish with such a great result.

Sophie Joynes                   4th Place 20 – 24 Female,             2.15.32 (although it actually says 3rd on the results)

Kerry Campbell                  10th Place 40 – 44 Female,           2.51.27

Suzanne Shaw                  11th Place 45 – 49 Female,           3.07.15

Susan     Scott                  12th Place 45 – 49 Female,           3.10.49

Debbie Reilly                     14th Place 35 – 29 Female,           2.40.33

Adam Marks                      35th Place 25 – 29 Male,               2.20.30

Matt Gibson                      36th Place 25 – 29 Male,               2.20.50

Brett Archibold                   43rd Place 25 – 29 Male,               2.24.12

Stuart Finlay                      31st Place 35 – 39 Male,               2.30.51

Alethe West                      21st Place 20 – 24 Female,           2.33.29

Emily Wilkinson                 25th Place 20 – 24 Female,           2.39.24

The two Tri-alliance Teams (the female team with a very questionable name by the way) also did very well.

The Muff Patrol with Lynne Duthie (Swim), Belinda Harrison (Ride) and Georgie Hagan (Run) won the womens section in 2.18.02.  The Tri-alliance Geelong Ironman Team made up of Scott Harrison, Paul Pawlak and Paul Rabbas by the results had a DNF, but actually finished, even though Pawlak had a puncture on the bike and continued on after fixing it.  They did however get beaten by the chicks – which will be a laughing point for many weeks to come.  

Also today was the culmination of a great season that came to a close for Tameka Day, as she finished in 8th spot in Female Elite for the 2005 Australian Olympic Distance Championships.  

After one of her less impressive swims for the season she was in the 3rd chase pack of 5 girls.  With Emma Snowsill, Nicole Hackett and Anabelle Luxford out in front by well over a minute and a second chase pack 1minute behind them, Tameka’s group was about 2minutes behind that 2nd pack.

Off the bike and having a reasonable transition, Tameka went onto the 10km Run Leg in 11th position.  Also wanting to be the first Victorian home Tam set about reeling in Vanessa Hentchel who had a great swim for the day to be in the second chase pack.  Tameka then had one of her best runs for the season moved up 3 spots and recorded arguably her best result for the season to finish in 8th spot, and take home a share of the prize money.

This was certainly one of the highlights for the day and it is always very exciting watching someone you know – it just makes for a great spectacle.

There is now only one race to go for the season next weekend at StKilda.  All the coaches and athletes are looking forward to a great day of racing and end of season fun.

Of course the weekend after that (Saturday April 9th) is arguably the greatest day of the year – The Geelong Tri-alliance End Of Season Party.  If you want in – to this amazing ‘full day and night spectacle’ you need to let me know a.s.a.p.

Have a great week and I’ll see you all at StKilda

Regards

Jarrod Evans

Tri Alliance Team.