BY PETER GIBBS
Fresh from a silver medal at the National Triathlon Championships a week before, Hayden Squance drew away from the field in the first few strokes of the 750m swim and was never challenged over the 17km bike and 5km run of the Nelson Tri Club’s race on Sunday.
Renee Hunt backed up her win from the club’s last event to finish on top of the women’s field.
A horrific crash in a club bike race in September had Squance in doubt for this season, but with his performances in the past weeks he’s shown that he’s coming back as strong as ever.
Squance finished in just under an hour, but it was nearly nine more minutes before Tim Robinson crossed the finish line, three seconds ahead of a determined Jon Linyard.
Close behind was Brendon Hughes, followed by a surprisingly fresh-looking Eric Wylde, who is still recovering from a strong performance in the IronMaori half ironman the weekend before.
Hunt was next, placing sixth. having a much easier win than last time at Rabbit Island and finishing more than two minutes ahead of Carys Coleman.
Lorraine Mellors was a further minute back, after a tussle with Carol Cooper, who was coming back from a long layoff. Only four seconds separated the pair at the finish.
In the duathlon option, a 2km run replaced the opening swim. Mitchell Cooper took the win ahead of very sharp looking 70+ competitors Ian Shapcott, over from Marlborough, and Simon Biss.
The short triathlon was won by Megan Coleman from Kate Kempthorne, while in the short duathlon, Rebecca Malcolm came home ahead of Charlotte Tappenden.
Full results at nelsontriclub.co.nz.
