Aussie Takeover in Big Warrior & Samoa Swim Series

WARRIOR 2014
Last year it was the Kiwis who took all the top prizes, this year the Aussies took a clean sweep of the top prizes in the PRO Race of the Warrior Race. Sam Betten (Brisbane) took the men's race and Sarah Crowley (Brisbane) cleaned up the Women's Pro field. To complete the Aussie Warrior Weekend takeover third Aussie pro, Ollie Whislter from Sydney NSW, finished second in the men's race.

The Kiwis managed second and third in the women's field and third and fourth in the Men.

Sam's win was built on pure speed, leading all the time tallies in the swim, bike and run. His Aussie compatriot Ollie was not far behind but Sam was far enough ahead to push for more if he was challenged for the win. Behind Ollie, Kiwi battler Stephen Farrell ran a comfortable race to retain his third placing from last year, also Jared Bowden maintained his fourth placing from a year ago.

There were casualties in the Pro race, both men. Defending champion Graham O'Grady found the heat far too much for him and pulled out after the first lap of the run. The other casualty was Kerry Weeks who suffered from a stomach complaint from the night before and it impacted his race. He finished the event in the Medical tent before he was released to enjoy the Prize giving on Saturday night. Both men should be back next year to take on Warrior and the Aussies again.

The real racing was in the women's race, between Julia Grant of NZ and Sarah. The lead between these two changed several times during the race. Sarah was first out of the water but was overtaken by Julia on the bike. Sarah regained the lead when Julia sustained a flat tyre. Once on the run Julia again overtook Sarah but lost that lead with 3kms to go. At the finish Sarah was a good 4mins ahead of Julia who faded badly at the close of her race.

Julia will now reflect on what was a great race for her and being her first time in the Samoa heat the outcome could have been different had she employed perhaps a different approach to the run. She will be the wiser for this experience for next year. Did I mention she lost ground in the bike with a flat tyre? Still she came close to taking Warrior but the spoils of war are Sarah's for 2014.

• Sam's winning time of 4hrs 20mins 26secs is also the new course record (by 2mins from 2013)
• Darren Young is the first local Warrior - finishing only 9mins behind the Pro field
• Joshua Small was the youngest competitor at 11years of age. Joshua swam the 2km swim for Team Small - a family team of mum, dad and Josh. Well done Josh!
• All Samoan athletes who competed last year (Darren Young, Daniel Afoa & Dave Leng) bettered their times by at least 15mins

In the shorter race, Beat the Heat, big wraps to Kathy McConville in taking out the women's race. This was the only Kiwi success of the weekend. In the men's race another Aussie/Samoan, Bernie Poort, claimed the inaugural Men's title.

Saoluafata was top village in Beat the Heat event while USO Bike Ride registered 1st and third in the teams event in Big Warrior.


Samoa Swim Series & Pacific Open Water Challenge
The Aussie domination started much earlier with Brisbane teenager Reece Southall, 14yrs, making a clean sweep of the Pacific Open Water Challenge and the official Samoa Swim Series.Kiwis Jody Keefe Laing and Paul Feltoe finished second and third respectively in POWC. In the SSS Laing again finished second with Aussie Craig Magnusson claiming third overall spot.

There was some Kiwi success in the Women's races with Christina Harris taking the title in POWC and Sarah Mortimer claiming the women's title in the Swim Series official races. 


Samoa Swim Series champions Reece Southall and Sarah Mortimer.  Credit: Scottie T Photography.


Results top 5
Warrior Race
Men
1. Sam Betten (Aust), 4:20:26
2. Ollie Whistler (Aust), 4:25:48
3. Stephen Farrell (NZ), 4:49:11
4. Jared Bowden (NZ), 5:24:58
5. Darren Young (SAM), 5:33:28

Women
1. Sarah Crowley (Aust), 5:00:54
2. Julia Grant (NZ), 5:04:57
3. Jo Carrel (NZ), 5:28:25
4. Jaydene Hurley (NZ), 7:22:50
5. Malama Tafuna'i (SAM), 7:34:39

Samoa Swim Series
Men
1. Reece Southall (Aust), 2:31:11 (total time for 3 SSS swims)
2. Jody Keefe Laing (NZ), 2:38:40
3. Craig Magnusson (Aust), 2:40:16
4. Colin Mustoe (Aust), 2:48:26
5. Dan Feisst (NZ), 2:54:23

Women
1. Sarah Mortimer (NZ), 2:54:31
2. Dawn Walker (NZ), 3:10:26
3. Tehani Tamasese (SAM), 3:11:02
4. Christina Harris (NZ), 3:13:20
5. Jude Vincent (NZ), 3:15:22

Pacific Open Water Challenge (10km & 5km Swims)
Men
1. Reece Southall (Aust), 3:41:56
2. Jody Keefe Laing (NZ), 3:56:25
3. Paul Feltoe (NZ), 4:18:25
4. Mike Cochrane (NZ), 4:43:42
5. Kane Orr (Aust), 5:07:56

Women
1. Christina Harris (NZ), 4:34:50
2. Rebecca Hollingsworth (NZ), 4:45:35
3. Lenora Bryant (USA), 4:48:51
4. Laura Tippett (NZ), 4:49:26
5. Jo-anne Marie Bell (NZ), 5:22:33


Event Images
Samoa Swim Series by Scottie T Photography
Warrior Race were taken by Mead Norton