Villa Maria Duathlon Kicks Off Sovereign Tri Series

The Sovereign Tri Series for 2015/16 is underway with today’s hosting of the very first Villa Maria Duathlon and if the reaction of those competing is a guide, this is an event with a long future after a great day in the grounds of the iconic New Zealand winery.
 
With national championship titles on the line in Standard and Sprint distance events at the Mangere (Auckland) venue, competition was fierce across many of the age groups, and yet the day was also very much about the first timers and beginners, with plenty of fun had by those taking part in teams events or in the short distance race designed as an introduction to the sport.
 
Triathlon New Zealand CEO Craig Waugh was out there and like many, had the entire family along for the experience with the children enjoying events tailored for them with Waugh himself taking on the Sovereign CEO Challenge, alongside Villa Maria’s Richard Thomas.
 

Serena Hammond. Photo courtesy of Tri NZ Media

“What a great day and a great venue, I think we have struck upon something special here at Villa Maria in an event that I think will go from strength to strength. The course was well laid out and for the most part within the grounds of the Estate, making for a safe and achievable day for everyone.”
 
The Sovereign CEO Challenge sees business leaders take part in the Sovereign Tri Series and in doing so inspire their staff to do the same, leading to better health and wellbeing in the workplace while also improving morale amongst staff through shared training experiences. The business at the end of the summer with the greatest proportional representation earns $25,000 from Sovereign to donate to their charity of choice.
 
Sam Bell (Canterbury) was perhaps the most impressive performer on the day, taking out the men’s Standard Distance National Championships, winning by an impressive three minutes 27 seconds from Johan Vanhoovels.
 
“That was a great course, I really enjoyed that. A lot of the run was cushioned underfoot on the grass, the bike was fast and the wind wasn’t too bad so all in all this is a great venue for a race. I was a bit worried I wouldn’t have anything in the tank after the world championships (he finished 4^th in his 20-24 age group in Adelaide) but I had enough to get to the line, I am pleased with a national title and a good day’s racing.”
 
First across the line in the women’s race was surprise winner Serena Hammond. Winning the 40-44 age group in the process, Hammond was too strong for her younger opponents with Ashleigh Williams (20-24 age group) in second and Pip Meo (30-34) in third.
 
Amongst the most popular finishers were Garth Barfoot who took out the 80-84 category and Terrance McKenzie who won the 85 plus division, both racing in the sprint distance to earn national championship gold medals for their efforts.
 

Sam Bell. Photo courtesy of Tri NZ Media

But the day was equally about the many giving a duathlon a go for the first time, either as an individual or in a team. There were plenty of mountain bikes, a few bells being rung on the way and the lycra was almost outnumbered by the shorts and t-shirt look while the kids delighted in their ‘Barrel Run’ – a short distance run through the vineyards for those aged 5 to 10 with the emphasis on fun.
 
Prize giving included national championship medals in all age groups for standard and sprint distance racing, plenty of spot prizes and a great end to the day for Alan McIntyre when his name was drawn out in the Suzuki draw. At each Sovereign Tri Series event one participant is drawn to go in the season ending draw when one of the seven lucky people will drive away in a brand new Suzuki Swift.
 
Sovereign Tri Series
Villa Maria Duathlon
Standard Distance (10k run, 40k bike, 5k run)
Men
1 Sam Bell, 1:59:29
2 Johan Vanhoovels, 2:02:56
3 David Jenkins, 2:04:17
Women
1 Serena Hammond, 2:11:09
2 Ashleigh Williams, 2:14:21
3 Pip Meo, 2:20:06
 
Complete results for all age groups in standard and sprint distance events will be posted to www.triseries.kiwi