'Our Emma' runs field off their feet

"Our Emma" second-rated her rivals in the women's triathlon at the Beijing Olympics yesterday. With father Garry born in Masterton and now resident on the Gold Coast of Australia, and two uncles, Jack and Wayne, still living here Wairarapa could bask in the reflected glory of a stunning performance from Emma Snowsill, who literally ran a quality field off their feet. Even more so when you take into account that she actually used to run around the streets of Masterton while holidaying here in days gone past. Snowsill, representing Australia, was one of the favourites for the triathlon gold medal after a series of outstanding performances on the international circuit over the past couple of years but no one could have anticipated such a commanding performance. She stayed in touch with the leaders in the swim and cycle disciplines but once the final leg, the 10km run, commenced she quickly put the issue beyond doubt, dashing away to a big lead in the first kilometre and never being in danger of defeat. Jack Snowsill, 79, watched the race courtesy of television at his Masterton home and was "very excited" at what transpired. Confident that Emma would do well providing she stayed out of trouble Jack had an anxious moment when several competitors were involved in a crash but happily she was not amongst them. And aware of her speed on the run he was confident that once she was safely through the cycle transition it would take a huge effort to keep her out of the gold medal spot. "She always seems to find something extra on the run, she is quite amazing in that respect," Jack said of his niece. "Just about every time she has won it has been through her speed there, I don't know where she gets the energy from!" It wasn't always that way though. Jack remembers Emma showing huge talent in the pool as a youngster with running being only a secondary interest then. "Boy she could swim, she always looked like being a champion in that sport," he said. Interestingly enough, a report from Beijing yesterday said that after being controversially overlooked by the Australian selectors for the triathlon at the Athens Olympics Emma Snowsill had actually given thought to representing New Zealand there, something which would have been possible through her dual citizenship. "I have a New Zealand passport and from what I understand I do have the choice of racing for the black and white but I don't have plans at present,"Snowsill wrote on her internet website. "I have many relatives throughout the country from Queenstown to Kerikeri and spent many happy childhood holidays visiting there."