by Mike Harris

A small field of 27 competitors took up the challenge of Race 1 in the Summer Series at Aramoana.
It was absolutely stunning for the 9am start, but while it was calm, the water temperature reminded everyone that summer has not really kicked into action. Chris Bisley, Chris Rathbone and Taryn McLeod soon broke away from the field and opened a handy lead through the two laps of the Sprint race while Sarah Gillespie led the ‘Tri It Tri’ field from the water and was never headed through the whole race.
Mary Gray was the only Junior competing on the day and she recorded an impressive 39 mins 59 sec and second overall in the ‘Tri it Tri’.
In the Sprint race it was McLeod who lead the boys from transition onto the bike with Bisley and Rathbone close behind. Bisley powered through the course with the fastest bike and run splits to take the Open Men’s title, 59 min 40 sec. Rathbone was second, 1hr 2 mins and McLeod, third overall, took the Open Women’s title in, 1hr 5 min 05 sec.
Second open female was Marion Baxter, on the back of a fast run, while third was Samantha Thompson. The biggest mover in the field was Aaron Giller who got a slow start in the swim, but came through the bike and run for third Open Male.
Stephen Colpitts hit the season running, taking the Vet Men’s title in 1hr 5 mins 36 sec, while Karen Blackwood took the Vet Women’s title in 1hr 12.mins.
Great to see the old ‘war horse’ Tony Heptinstall out there and that Brent Cardno didn’t need emergency intervention at the finish line!

Results here.