National Schools Triathlon Championships 2011

Jack's Point, Queenstown, 31 March 2011.

MANAWATU TRIATHLON CLUB competitors represented the club with distinction at the Triathlon Championships earlier this week. It was a hilly, chilly course on the outskirts of Queenstown.

David Martin of Palmerston North Intermediate was first away. David (Y8 boys) had a great bike, setting himself up in a small group of contenders in the run, finishing in 5th place.

Elizabeth Stannard and Jaimee Leader were next away in the U14 girls. Jaimee had a strong swim, but chose not to wear a wetsuit to save time in transition. This paid off, leading on the bike leg until the last kilometre, where she was passed by Elizabeth. Jaimee regained the lead through transition and powered on to win the event by over 40 seconds. Elizabeth, having spent all her energy on the bike, faded to a creditable 6th.

Later on in the day, Elizabeth and Jaimee went on the represent Palmerston North Girls High School in the U14 girls team race. In the upset of the day, they went of to beat the fancied Auckland schools, thanks to classy performances by Jaimee in the swim and the run, and the fastest bike leg of the day by Elizabeth.