In the first round back after the Perth selection race, the women's field saw both Rina Hill and Maxine Seear racing for the first time in the series under the title of '2004 Olympian' - the third member and destined to be two time Olympian after Athens, Loretta Harrop, opting to not contest today's stage. Barb Lindquist and Laura Reback added to the Olympic flavour - the American duo's thoughts probably a lot on Athens as they would be deep into their preparations for the US-trials to be held in Hawaii in April.

The ladies were in a lot more relaxed mood as they were marshalled in the transition before the start of race one of two in the Enduro format (375m swim / 10k bike / 2.5k run - top 12 go on to race two after a 10 min break to do it all over again! ) - as you can imagine, a world of difference from the high-pressure surrounds of the Olympic selection race in Perth some two weeks earlier! :)

Rina Hill was in the yellow leaders jersey with her claim on the title seemingly all but assured, taking a 12 point lead into race one.

Laura Reback led out of the water, ahead of the usual suspects of Hackett and Lindquist, onto the bike course which would test the turning skills around the cobblestone surface of the Opera House forecourt and a small way up Macquarie street, it was a game of tactics with athletes vying to stay in the all important top 12 to qualify for race two.
Hackett was leading off the front for much of the 10k, with the rotation shared between others in the front group, which included the two Americans, Liz Blatchford and Pip Taylor (who, very unfortunately, later took a spill cornering on the cobblestones).
Maxine Seear and Emma Snowsill were the big taticians during the bike, slowly but surely making their way through the field, making sure they were in the top 12 and within striking distance of the pack coming onto the run, where they're absolutely explosive.
It was interesting to note that it seemed one minute Emma was there, and the next she wasn't, going 'missing' I guess it was mid-way through the bike leg, while nothing was mentioned about mechanical difficulities or withdrawal from the race -- maybe she went down with Pip? -- the little Queenslander wasn't sighted for the rest of the day, her name only mentioned as she was called over the PA to head to the athletes area during the 10 minute break between races... So there you have it I guess...!

Back to the action on course, 2003 U/23 World Champion, Felicity Abram dominated on the run as she blitzed the field looking totally in control and in great shape as she powered ahead, nothing stopping her but the blue finishing tape as she took out race one, despite impressive chases from Seear and Lindquist to round out the top three. Liz Blatchford was also impressive, continuing on her consistant race form, while Mel Ashton, the newly crowned Long Course champion, also made the top 12, no mean feat for someone who would be absolutely primed for the much longer distances -- not this short 'n' sharp stuff!! so well done to Mel! Nic qualified in about 9th or 10th with Rina Hill rounding out the 12.

Interesting to watch was the athletes different approaches to the 10 minute break before race two begun. The invasion on transition to get the running shoes off and the drink in was the standard action, and then Barb Lindquist was straight on her bike with Liz Blatchford quick to join her - but not before forgetting about the all important helmet! - a wry smile and having a bit of a chuckle as it was handed to her :) Maxine Seear paced transition, taking in the fluids and shaking her legs to loosen them up, before she was overheard saying to her Mum how her handle bars were loosening up during the bike, but she had the technician onto it!.

If the start of race two only guarenteed one thing, it would be that there would be a no-holds-barred approach with some fast racing to be had, as the girls assembled ready for the start of the swim, Rina Hill was a late withdrawal, with it later being revealed that she was feeling light-headed and dizzy. Little did she, or anyone else know, that just starting in race two would have won her the 2004 title! but now the door was slightly left open for Maxine, who with a win would cap an amazing summer with a series win at her first attempt!

Off and racing mark II the swim had a bit of a sense of de ja vu ;) , with Nicole again in the front group leading the way and then onto and throughout the bike leg, it was an impressive performance by Nic on a fast and furious course, with some tight turns, she really attacked it and showed her skills which was good to see! - always good to see! :)
All of a sudden it looked like it would be coming down to the run and if anyone could come between Maxine and a series victory, with one of her main rivals, Felicity Abram who ironically is coached by Rina Hill -- trying to salvage the series win for the coach! -- she was right on "Maxfactor's" hammer, reminiscent of the U/23 Worlds race where Felicity was victorious!.
But displaying what has quickly become her trademark, Seear showed her speed on the run in a weapon not to be underestimated, timing her surge to perfection, powering away from both Abram and Lindquist to record just her second Accenture series race win, finishing strongly and with about a 50m gap to the chasers, her time 31 minutes 49 seconds. Nic faded a fair bit on the run, but gusted it out and as always, gave it 100%. Goodonya Hackie!

Having never beaten Felicity in a race before, it was just another milestone for the 19-year-old Seear, who payed credit to her Worlds teammate, also paying tribute to Barb Lindquist and the great opportunity it is to be able to race against the World number 1 (paraphrased), and just generally was full of praise for the other competitors and the series in general.

"It's been an amazing few months for me, I still don't think I can put it into words, I did the calculations and knew what I needed to do to win it. I still love the longer distance events, they're more comfortable for me, but it was really good training because this format really tests your bike skills" said an elated Seear after the race, as quoted in the TA media release.

That about wraps it up on the women's side of things, more to come tomorrow on the Men's, which was marred by crashes (Vincent Yohann - his screams of pain echoed around the course - not what you want to see at all...! :S ), and pics as well. Stay tuned!!!