Samuels wins ITU Oceania Sprint Championship

2011-02-06

Nicky Samuels just can't stop winning this summer as she demolished the international women’s field at the Oceania Sprint Triathlon Championships in Kinloch, Taupo today. Samuals left a trail of international triathletes behind her in idyllic conditions as the mercury threatened thirty degrees. This would be her third win in the Contact Tri Series in 4 weeks.   

Samuels was in a class of her own on the bike as she rode away from the field and cruised to the title without exerting herself too much on the run. “The swim was a little choppy swim but I led most of the way till just out of the water, then decided to ride with the lead group for one lap on the bike to see what they might try, then made my move, stayed away and the rest was a cruise home.”

Samuels was testing the field on that first lap and quickly realised they would struggle to match her strength on the bike. “I didn’t know how they would ride so I thought I would see for a lap, it was slow so I went for it, gave it a bash and within half a lap had 20 seconds which by the time I got off was a minute 40. “I actually felt a little flat this week in training, the run was OK but I was glad I had the lead off the bike and could cruise home without it being too strenuous. I am definitely happy, this is an ITU race with an international field which puts things in perspective, shows where you are. I’m happy with result.”

In all over 700 people took part in a variety of races and distances, from the Contact 1:2:1 for children to the 3:9:3 for beginners and the sprint races for age groups and elites. Full results will be posted at www.triseries.co.nz