Aussie quinella at Oceania Championships

It was an Australian one two in difficult conditions at the Oceania Triathlon Championships in Wellington today with Emma Moffat out running compatriot Annabel Luxford and Nicky Samuels (NZL).

Moffat was hugely impressive and looked like she could run another ten kilometres when she crossed the line almost two minutes clear of her countrywoman. The two had dominated the majority of the race, sharing the work load throughout the bike leg with New Zealander Andrea Hewitt before running strongly to a one two finish.

Hewitt faded on the run as she eyed the Mooloolaba World Cup in three weeks and her ambition of qualifying for the Beijing Olympic Games, eventually being run down by her main rival in that race Nicky Samuels.

Moffat though was delighted with her days work in warm but blustery conditions.

“That was bloody windy and tough the whole race but it was a good race, I felt great the whole day. My transition out of the bike and on to the run was great and from then I just ran solid and established what proved to be a winning lead. I have not tapered for this, I raced last week as well but the real aim is Mooloolaba in three weeks.”

In contrast Luxford crossed the line suffering from a shin injury and immediately sought ice to soothe the pain and inflammation.

“The wind made that so tough today. I swam well and led into transition but lost some time as a shoe had fallen off my bike. I had to work hard early on to get back on the lead bunch. From there we worked well together but from the moment I hit the run I was feeling the shin and struggled for the most part. The injury has flared up in the last week or so, I’m just glad to have this race out of the way and I will look to sort it out when I get home.”

Chasing the Australians for most of the day was Nicky Samuels who admitted to messing up the swim.

“I basically screwed the swim today. I missed a surge from the others and struggled to get rid of someone on my hip dragging me down. Once I got clear of them I swam strongly but had lost contact with the leaders.”

“The bike was basically a 40km ride on my own in the wind, it was tough. But I stayed in contact and ran strongly today to pick up Andrea and get on the podium. The run has been an issue for me of late, so today was a good sign. It is all preparation for Mooloolaba in three weeks.”

The Under 23 title was dominated by Australian Felicity Sheedy-Ryan, her winning margin was close to six minutes. The battle for second and third was close however and fought out between New Zealanders Anna Elvery and Jacqui Seebold, with Elvery holding on for victory.

Racing was play out in front of huge and enthusiastic crowds around Wellington’s Oriental Parade and Waitangi Park with age group races completed earlier in the morning. Athletes were chasing qualifying spots at the World Championships in Vancouver in August in all age categories.

The teams event was notable for the inclusion of close to 30 teams from Contact Energy, proving that they take their role as Contact Energy My Sport Series sponsor more seriously than just the writing of a cheque!


Oceania Triathlon Championships Elite Women

1 Emma Moffat AUS 2.06.36

2 Annabel Luxford AUS 2.08.11

3 Nicky Samuels NZL 2.10.30

4 Andrea Hewitt NZL 2.10.47

5 Samantha Warriner NZL 2.11.22

6 Anja Dittmer GER 2.11.30

7 Alee Sharp AUS 2.11.46

8 Debbie Tanner NZL 2.13.05

9 Carmel Hanley NZL 2.14.19

10 Merja Kiviranta FIN 2.14.21



U23 Women

1 Felicity Sheedy-Ryan AUS 2.12.37

2 Anna Elvery NZL 2.18.25

3 Jaqui Seebold NZL 2.18.30

4 Hee Joo Kim KOR 2.18.58

5 Julia Grant NZL 2.21.32