Monday, April 07, 2008

MOOLOOLABA TRI 2008

Mooloolaba Triathlon 2008
What a Weekend !! The Team Dalby descended on the coast with a BANG. The Mooloolaba Triathlon is BIG business and we were prepared. We were well hydrated and fired up from watching the Asics Bolt 5km Friday night, Superkidz Tri Saturday morning and then the Crit on Saturday afternoon. Fantastic weather and awesome views all round (if you know what I mean).
The Team Dalby Super Kidz were on fire at the Kidz Tri. Zoe Nearhos had an awesome race finishing 3rd in her 13 years cat. Lucy Walton took out the 12 years cat, blitzing the field, that training has sure paid off. Mia Walton also charmed the course with a fine effort. Our youngest of the troop Emily Doyle par took in her first Triathlon and showed some promise with a very strong finish in the run. Well Done Super Kidz !

THE TEAMS: The Dalby Diva’s Bron and Andrea (still a Dalbyite through & through) stormed through the PERFECT conditions to score a podium finish, 3rd. The girls finished 6 minutes faster than 2 ago when they also combined and finished 4th. The Dalby Darlings were also on fire, Katrina Walton swimming in fine form, Maryanne Gibbo riding and scored a PB and bringing them home Ang Doyle with a PW (yeah right!!). With Clare out sick, the other Dalby Girls team had to work fast and secure a runner and they did. So with Kate Paynter swimming in sub 30 and Jeanette riding the late entry runner from Canberra was lucky to find such a fine team. Our mixed teams were the dynamic duo of OPTom Roger and Super Fish Michelle Jefferson.. Michelle took them out strong and Tom had an awesome ride and a very hot run. ‘Little Dalby’ Team Walker/Green/Stephenson had Bec flying home in the 10km with a very handy 46 mins. Our only Men’s Team was comprised of swimmer/runner Simon Doyle and a mate of his to ride. Strong performances from everyone and it seemed that everyone was very pleased with their results (except for maybe Ang & Katrina!!).


THE INDIVIDUALS: 1.5KM SWIM/40KM BIKE/10KM RUN
With the late withdrawal of Sam and Bron, there were only 2 left standing to carry the weight of Dalby on their well muscled shoulders. Danny Nearhos and Rachele Cumming were focused and motivated and ready to wreak havoc on that Mooloolaba course. With last minute changes to the swim leg, the panic set in, was this a trick to make them swim further?? Rach was first off at 7.00am and Danny at 7.32am, the teams followed at 7.50 and 7.55am. Conditions were PERFECT, a little cool but water temp was beautiful. This was Danny’s 2nd stab at Mooloolaba but the 1st for Rach and she was scared (of the sharks). The swim was in an M shape along the coast of the Mooloolaba Beach which exited at the steps of the ‘Loo’s with a View’, then with a short run up the beach and stairs and down to transition the second leg began. Forget the sand and the salt water stinging the eyes, this was business. Now where did I rack my bike?? With bike firmly in hand, helmet fastened the bike leg had begun. The first part of this course has some nasty little bergs and can get the heart pumping until you head down the Exit Ramp and suddenly you have wings and are flying. With not much wind around, it was a perfect day for time trialling. Just after the turn around dreams turned to disaster when Rach noticed her FIRST EVER flat tyre. TEARS of disappointment & frustration set in. So she set about changing her flat and along came a friendly man to help and then he left without helping, so she walked for about half an hour begging for help. Meanwhile Danny was carving up the course at a ferocious pace, giving it everything. He yelled something.....He rode past.....then a white knight appeared, pumped up said tyre and away she went. The Teams were well into it at this stage too, with the girls scoring some fantastic averages. Danny came into Trans 2 on fire and leapt into his runners and away to stamp in approval in the hardest run course in Triathlon. In comes Rach, the supporters have now realised that it has been a flat keeping her not slow legs.. A flying Trans 2 also gets her quickly on the run, she’s fired and needs to make up some valuable time. Danny finished his day at the office with one ‘expresso Love’ and a 47 minute run thank you very much and Rachele also finished on a high with an awesome run. Danny’s time of 2 hours 30 mins 40 secs was well on his goal, good one. Rachele was extremely happy with her splits despite the 34 minute delay in her bike leg, her official time 3 hours 25 mins is just a number.....
Let’s book in for next year, Mooloolaba ROCKS.....

DALBY TRI 2008

Dalby Tri – 9th March 2008.
It was in near gale force winds that the annual Dalby Triathlon was contested this year. There was loads of local talent on for show as well, with a number in teams and individual events.
The kids started out the day with over 100 competitors, with ages ranging from 7 and up. There were some very impressive times as well; future stars shining bright.
The Business House Challenge in always hotly contested and this year was no different. The High School Team was sure to pack a punch with elite swimmer Jason Caruso, cycling whiz kid Mark Green and Super Human Athlete Bron Henschell as their runner. However they were shocked to see the SuperFish 2nd out of the pool, the ground was quickly made up by Greenie and brought home in blistering form from Bron.
There was a lot of buzz surrounding the TEAMS entries this year with lots of last minute re shuffles and team tactics, there was money on the line!! The Men’s Team was taken out by ‘To Be Advised’ Benn Hansen swimming, Nolesy Riding & young Nathan Appleton running and 2nd to ‘The Busted Brady’s’ a tribute team made up of Todd Sommerville, Damo Cumming & Dangerous Dave. Tony Nolan scored the fastest bike ride of the day taking his team to the top podium place. The mixed teams was taken out by the ‘Travelling Willbedoyles’, with young swimmer Will Lane taking charge, Belinda Rowney giving the Elite girls a run for the money in the ride and Ang Doyle bringing home the bacon on the run, 2nd were ‘TOP GUN’. Special mention must go to Jarrod Lockhart, Mitchell Cook and Cormack Ebbage, these three 10 year olds mixed it with the big teams and had an awesome time. Despite their size and age and the conditions they were right up there. Well done little dudes !!


The Individual numbers were up on last year and with local super stars on show the crowd were at salivating point!! Former local boy Steve Halliday was keen to put his name in lights with a strong swim but couldn’t hold on and took out 2nd. 1st boy home was Nathan Fitzakerly. Our Dalby boys also did us proud with big Sam Sam the time trial man taking 7th overall, Jonathon Fawkes 12th, Danny Nearhos 14th and Tom Roger in a time of 1 hour 18 mins. Danny also took out his 35-39 age group.
The girls were without their team captain Bron as she had to withdraw at the last minute with an injury but they certainly didn’t disappoint. Kate Cobb was our first Dalby girl, closely followed by Rachele Cumming. Clare Byrne, Michelle Jefferson, Jeanette Carbury and Triathlon debutante Maryanne Gibbons had strong races despite the terrible winds; they raced on in the tough conditions and came home with the goods. Kate took out her 45-49 age group and Rachele the 30-34 age group.
All in all it was a very successful day by competitors and organisers alike. We thank those of you who helped out in any way and look forward to smashing those times next year.