MEDIA RELEASE for immediate release

Sunday 23 January 2005

HACKETT OUTCLASSES INTERNATIONAL FIELD

 

Under the watchful eye of his Olympic silver medallist coach Loretta Harrop, Stephen Hackett out raced an international field to win the fourth race of the Gatorade Queensland Tri Series.

 

Mirinda Carfrae showed her class coming from behind to also defeat a quality women’s field this morning at Robina.

 

A top international field lined up this morning including French Olympians Olivier Marceau and Carl Blasco and members of their training squad, here for an 8 week training program and spear headed by the former world champion Marceau.

Also emerging stars from the Col Stewart stable, Mexico’s Jaime Vazquez-Bracho, Miriam Moser from Switzerland, USA’s Matthew Cooke and Linda Gallo.

Also lining up today was Stephen Hackett one the come back trail and aiming for selection in the World’s team.

 

A record field of just over 900 competitors took part in the event today continuing the upward trend in numbers throughout this series.

Despite a downpour of rain midway through the race it was a welcome relief to the humid conditions for competitors. Competitors stepped up to the Super Sprint distance this morning – 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run.

 

The Gatorade Queensland Tri Series offers competitors a range of different distances from Super Sprint through to Short Course catering to athletes of all abilities.

 

Hackett and Scotsman Andrew Fargus lead out of the swim with Blasco, series leader Matt Hopper and Chris Waters of Worongary 10sec behind them.

The third group contained late entrant Alan Moran and Sandgate’s Dan Wilson.

 

Hackett and Fargus maintained their lead out on the bike keeping the chasers away.

Moran put in a great performance on the bike to move through to third with Griffin also recording the fourth fastest bike split to move him into fourth.

 

Hackett stepped up the pace in the closing stages of the cycle to record the fastest bike split of the day and giving him a handy lead going into the run.

 

Griffin was the big mover on the run leg in a handy 15:28 for the 5km to move him into third spot but Hackett had opened up enough of a lead to win by 19sec from Fargus. “I haven’t tapered at all for this race and did a trail run and bike ride yesterday, so I’m really happy with the result,” said Hackett.

Hackett will now focus on qualifying for the world championships through Triathlon Australia’s selection races in Hobart and Geelong.

 

In the women’s event Carfrae had to make up ground after being nearly a minute behind after the swim.

 

Linda Gallo from the US was the early race leader following the swim with a 37sec lead over Melissa Trims and series leader Leesa White.

 

Switzerland’s Miriam Moser had a solid bike to move her up into podium contention but heading out of T2 first was White with Carfrae closing in.

 

Midway through the run Carfrae moved to the lead and showed why she is a world class performer to cruise to victory in the end.

White maintained second position with Moser rounding out the top three.

Carfrae will also contend selection races in Hobart and Geelong in her bid for world championship selection.

 

The emphasis was clearly on fun and participation in the LOOK Enticer Triathlon this morning as hundreds took the plunge in completing a 300m swim, 10km cycle and 2km run as an individual or part of a team.

 

Overall winners today were Jani Kroyherr, The patch and Connie Silvestri, Taringa.

This distance offers first timers a chance to experience the fun of triathlon and our weekend warriors who enjoy having a hit out or challenging their mates.

 

The first race to get underway today was the Superkids Triathlon which catered for kids under 12 years. The aim is to create a fun and safe atmosphere for the kids to participate.

 A big field of kids took up the challenge and completed a 100m swim, 2km cycle and 400m run. In the U10 category it was Jack Martin, Brisbane and Kelsey Harvey of Boonah that claimed line honours with Victor Taylor of Buderim and Sarah Hermitage of Daisy Hill winners in the Under 12 category.

 

The second round of people went into the draw to win our major prize for the series – a Runna Scooter.

In the final event of the series approximately 60 people will be in the running to drive off on their brand new Runna Scooter courtesy of the Scooter Shop at Southport.

 

The next race in the series will head to the Sunshine Coast for the Titanium Enterprises Caloundra Triathlon on February 13.

 

Upcoming Events in the Series: 13 February – Caloundra 17 April – Raby Bay (Club Champs)

 

Overall Results Male Suburb Time

 1. Stephen Hackett Terrigal, NSW 58:16

2. Andrew Fargus Robina 58:35

3. Leon Griffin Burleigh Waters 58:57

4. Alan Moran Ashgrove 59:11

5. Dan Wilson Sandgate 59:32

6. Matt Hopper Banyo 59:42

 

Females

1. Mirinda Carfrae Underwood 1:05:55

2. Leesa White Petrie 1:06:26

3. Miriam Moser Switzerland 1:07:30

4. Linda Gallo US 1:09:07

5. Melissa rims Taigum 1:09:41

 

A full set of results is available at www.usmevents.com.au

 

For further information or to arrange interviews or photographs contact Lisa Pringle on 0417 005 743 lisa@usmevents.com.au www.usmevents.com.au