Potent Paul Trumps Top Field

Illawarra Mercury

Monday October 29, 2007

By MIKE GANDON

THIRROUL triathlete Paul Wiedersehn scored a convincing win in the Scody Olympic Distance Triathlon at Nowra yesterday.

Wiedersehn led all the way to complete the course in an excellent time of 1hr56min57sec.

The Olympic distance triathlon consisted of a 1.5km swim in the Shoalhaven River, followed by a 40km run through Nowra, then out to main road 92 near HMAS Albatross and return with a 10km run across the bridge and up to North Nowra, before finishing outside Nowra's swimming pool on the banks of the Shoalhaven.

It was race one of the Australian national series and the first selection race for the Australian team for the World Triathlon Championships in Canada next year.

"With that time, Paul will qualify for the Australian team," event director Mark Emerton said.

Jesse Featon, of Lavington, finished in second place in a time of 1:58:48, while Ryan O'Neill, of Dee Why, was third in 1:59:51.

Canberra athletes filled the top two placings in the women's race over the same course. Michelle Wu, of Woden, won in a time of 2:07:14, Jennifer Dixon was second in 2:11:13 and Angela Clarke, of Sherwood in Queensland, was third in 2:14:23.

The oldest starter was 78-year-old Wilf Deck, of the ACT, who completed the course much to the delight of competitors and spectators alike.

There was a special MiniMan Triathlon consisting of a 300m swim, 15km bike ride and 3km run for teams and individuals, plus a schools' division.

Youngest competitors in that event were 13.

Just over 280 male and female triathletes were in the Olympic distance race and 80 competitors took part in the MiniMan Triathlon.

Emerton said the conditions were close to perfect for the annual event.

"The weather was a quite warm 28 degrees in the run leg," he said.

"The event was really successful, good for the local economy and the Shoalhaven area.

"Because of our location we are able to attract a lot of competitors from Sydney and Canberra, as well as those closer to the Shoalhaven."

© 2007 Illawarra Mercury

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