As expected, Eurocoast Triathlon Club members figured prominently in the results of races at the Batemans Bay Triathlon Festival. However, dramas and upsets occurred, even before the first race began. Tim Devane had prepared for his first attempt at the Ultimate distance race, but withdrew prior to the race after his son sustained a serious injury in a football game.
Even the organisers had their problems, when eight traffic controllers failed to show up on race day morning, causing a major changed to the bike leg. Where the majority of the ride was to have been on flat of George Bass Drive between Tomakin and North Moruya, this was changed to include loops so that the cyclists did five climbs of the hill on Tomakin Road.
The dramas didn’t end there. In the Ultimate distance race, Craig Shepheard was following another competitor in the cycle leg who had a serious accident. Craig stopped and rendered assistance until the arrival of the Ambulance some time later. Due to the loss of time and his momentum, Craig withdrew from the race.
But that didn’t stop other Eurocoast members from performing well. In the Ultimate race (1.9km swim, 90km bike, 21.1km run) Ivo Ahlquist recorded the fastest time for a club member, completing the course in 4:56:19. This outstanding time placed him second in his age group (40-44). Lachlan Brown was less than a minute behind (4:56:47), but won his age group (50-54). Simon Fitzgerald completed the race in a time of 5:29:51 and place 4th in the 50-54 age group. Donna Phillips finished in a time of 6:36:34, enough to place her 3rd in her category, and Peter Cox completed the race in a time of 6:38:44, also enough to gain him 3rd position in his age group (55-59).
The Standard (Olympic) distance race consists of a 1.5km swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run. Again, Richard and Sally Jeffrey proved their class, each winning their respective category. Richard in a time of 2:25:13, some 14 minutes ahead of his nearest competitor, and Sally in a time of 2:24:20, again, more than 25 minutes ahead of the next female to finish. Gary Ashton completed the race in a time of 2:54:36, placing him 2nd in the 55-59 year category, while Stephen Phipps ended with a time of 3:00:24, placing him 3rd in the same age group.
In the Sprint distance race (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run), Michael Overend was the fastest of the club members, finishing in a time of 1:29:07. This time place him 6th in the 55-59 age group. Steve Millard was the next fastest club member, with a time of 1:43:19, placing him 12th in the 35-39 year group. Harvey Doberer stopped the clock at 1:43:19, for 15th in his category (40-44), Kim Young clocked 1:50:09 for 6th in her category, and Heather Fitzgerald finished in a time of 1:52:21, to be placed 4th in her age group.
The triathlon season is drawing to a close, with only a few events left. The main one of these is the Ironman Australia race at Port Macquarie, where the Eurocoast Triathlon Club will again be represented.
Above: Simon Fitzgerald exits Corrigans after the swim leg of the Ultimate distance race. Simon went on to finish 4th in his age group. Photo Peter Cox
Above: Lachlan Brown exits Corrigans after the swim leg of the Ultimate distance race. Lachlan went on to win his age group. Photo Peter Cox
Above: Donna Phillips exits Corrigans after the swim leg of the Ultimate distance race. Donna went on to finish 3rd in her age group.Photo Peter Cox
Above: Peter Cox and Donna Phillips cross the finish line together in the Ultimate distance race. They both finished 3rd in their respective age groups. Photo Peter Cox
Above: a perfect day on the South Coast that had everyone appreciative of the water temps, air temps and the courses set. Photo Peter Cox
