Doe tunes up for ironman with Contact Energy Cup win

As expected it was victory to Ironman contender Kieran Doe and Olympic Games hopeful Nicky Samuels at the latest round of the Contact Energy Cup in Napier today.

Weather conditions had an early influence with the gale force Easterly winds leading to a move in the swim venue from the West Shore beach front to the nearby Pandora’s Pond. The decision was taken by the organizers before registration on the Friday night, allowing competitors plenty of time to prepare.

Both Doe and Samuels led from start to finish with ‘Doe Boy’ using the event as a final blow out before the big day in Taupo next week.

“That was a great race for me, it is something I have done for the last two Ironman’s, racing a standard distance event a week before. It seems to work so I was keen to race today. Today was all about next week though and finding a good race rhythm. I did have to pick up a little on the second lap of the run though as Callum (Millward) was running superbly and closing the gap on me.”

Indeed Millward ran strongly to finish second, ahead of Gisborne’s Stephen Sheldrake. Millward is thrilled to be fit and healthy after a year of calf muscle issues in 2007.

“I feel great and I’m just happy to be running freely after the trouble I had last year. I had compartment syndrome and it took some time to diagnose and then sort out but things are good now and I am looking forward to the rest of the year. My run today was great but the gap to Kieran was just too much.”

For Sheldrake third place confirmed back to back Contact Energy Cup titles, the two time winner on the series this year cannot be beaten with one race to go in Wellington on March 9. The 35 year old had other things on his mind though immediately upon finishing.

“I’m not feeling too flash to be fair, it has been a long couple of weeks with a few niggles, a cold and travel to and from Hobart so I am just happy to get through today. Sewing up the overall Contact Series title is great and was obviously a goal here in Napier today. But for now I am in the car and driving home (to Gisborne) to organise a three year old birthday party, that is the focus right now!”

In the women’s event Nicky Samuels was an unbackable favourite and that is the way it played out, the world number 35 led by 2 minutes and 19 seconds out of the 1500m swim and from that point was racing the clock rather than her opposition. It was another good workout with Mooloolaba and Olympic qualifying now only six weeks away.

“That was a good day and a great course. Moving the swim wasn’t ideal for me, I would have preferred an ocean swim to replicate Mooloolaba but the main thing was a good hard race and that is how it panned out. The support was wonderful around the course too, even the Tri My Sport competitors found the energy to shout some support which was just great.”

Samuels had already wrapped up the overall Contact Energy Cup title with three wins from her three races, today was the icing on the cake.

Runner up today was Janine Sax from Mount Maunganui, a result that could see her move up to second in the Contact Energy Cup points.

“Today was great but different. I took a wrong road on the bike, was stung twice by bees but finished strongly so I am pleased. I would have preferred my disc wheel but conditions didn’t allow.”

As always on Contact Energy Cup My Sport race day there were many smiles of delight and achievement from the Tri My Sport competitors, many of whom were competing in the sprint distance event for the first time.

The Series now moves to Wellington on March 9 for a race that sees athletes racing for points in the Contact Series but also national standard distance championships and at the elite level the ITU Oceania Championships.



Contact Energy My Sport Series, Napier

Contact Energy Cup Male 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run

1 Kieran Doe Auckland 1.56.16

2 Callum Millward Havelock North 1.57.28

3 Stephen Sheldrake Gisborne 2.01.20



Contact Energy Cup Female

1 Nicky Samuels Whangarei 2.07.29

2 Janine Sax Mount Maunganui 2.16.24

3 Carmel Hanley Auckland 2.16.41



Tri My Sport Men 500m swim, 16km bike, 5km run

1 Nathan Coombes Opunake 51.23

2 Kieran Powell Hamilton 51.48

3 Ben Jefferson 57.14



Tri My Sport Women

1 Casey Mitchell Auckland 1.00.15

2 Wendy Teahan Fielding 1.00.58

3 Megan Watson 1.006.07