Llanos and Dibens take inaugural titles

On a day when it was expected that the bikers would reign supreme it was the two Xterra World Champions that took victory against probably the best field outside of Kona.

While Dibens’ victory was somewhat expected, after starting as the favourite, it was Llanos that delivered the surprise after holding onto the main group during the 200km bike leg, which saw a spirited attack from Raynard Tissink, and then blitzing the field with his run speed over the 20km.

Proving that it was more of a foot race than anyone expected, Dirk Bockel and Rasmus Henning held onto second and third respectively, while swim leader Fraser Cartmell finished fourth.

It wasn’t all easy for Julie Dibens though and she was lucky to make the start line after her bike went missing on the flight over and then a puncture almost forced her out the race. By the 140km mark on the bike leg though, she had regained the lead and took a comfortable victory in what I hope will be a regular fixture on the triathlon calendar.

Women

1. Julie Dibens (GBR) 7:08:25
2. Leanda Cave (GBR) 7:12:23
3. Virginia Berasategui (ESP) 7:18:23

Men

1. Eneko Llanos (ESP) 6:34:37
2. Dirk Bockel (LUX) 6:35:30
3. Rasmus Henning (DEN) 6:36:07

Gemmell and Hewitt crowned New Zealand & Oceania Champs

Christchurch couple Andrea Hewitt and Laurent Vidal won the Contact Triathlon in Wellington which also served as the New Zealand and Oceania championships but because Vidal is technically still French, it was Kris Gemmell that was awarded the men’s titles despite finishing second.

For Hewitt, who finished third in the 2009 ITU World Championship Series, it was a first national title after making the racing on the bike leg with an unusual breakaway with Debbie Tanner and Nicky Samuels that saw them into T2 with a 52 second lead over the field.

From there it was the more conventional 10km dash with Hewitt getting an early gap on Tanner and holding the lead to the finish. Spare a thought for Samuels though who suffered cut to her foot and removed her shoe, only to be penalised under ITU rules that prohibit an athlete from competing barefoot during the run leg, but still hung onto third place.

Women

1. Andrea Hewitt (NZL) 2:06:34
2. Debbie Tanner (NZL) 2:07:22
3. Nicky Samuels (NZL) 2:08:48

Men

1. Laurent Vidal (FRA) 1:53:09
2. Kris Gemmell (NZL) 1:53:21
3. Ben Pattle (NZL) 1:53:46