College sport: Fifty entries tipped for windsurfing champs

The untimely appearance of algal bloom has delayed the racing of the New Zealand secondary school windsurfing champs on Lake Rotorua, but in many ways has proved a blessing in disguise for organisers.

The champs were to have been raced last weekend but will now be held on April 5 and 6.

The delay may help with entries, and about 50 competitors are expected.

"In the past, people such as Jon-Paul Tobin have competed," said organiser Paul Renshaw of Rotorua Lakes High School. "We're expecting strong entries from Macleans College in Auckland; Westlake usually send some strong contenders as do Diocesan in Auckland."

About a dozen entrants are expected from the Wellington region.

Renshaw said former Olympic medallist Bruce Kendall had been an encouraging force behind the event.


DRAGON BOATING


One of the larger events on the secondary school sports calendar is on this Friday at the Viaduct Harbour. The Auckland Secondary Schools Dragon Boat Festival has over 900 competitors and is 20 years old, but is still looking for a sponsor.

Organiser Pip Fleming says that because the event has been around so long sponsors are not interested.

"The novelty factor has worn off," he says. "There are over 35 schools taking part, ranging from Fairfield in Hamilton to Kaipara."

Traditional girls competitors such as Epsom Girls Grammar and Westlake Girls are expected to battle for the main titles. The mixed grades have 19 schools entered, with Mt Roskill a new entrant.



TRIATHLON


The Auckland Secondary Schools triathlon champs at Maraetai proved a great race for Auckland Grammar's Tim MacIntosh.

MacIntosh won the senior boys race finishing 27 seconds ahead of Kristin School's Ben Pattle with Maclean's Bruce Hunter a further 32 seconds back.

Te Awamutu's Jordan Newlands finished fifth. Anna Elvery of Diocesan confirmed her favouritism by winning the senior girls race ahead of Rangitoto's Anna Hamilton and Theresa Knight from Pukekohe.

Other winners were Andrew Curtayne from St Kentigern in the intermediate boys with Thomas Hahn of St Peters (Auckland) second and James Bowstead of Waiuku third.

Rebecca Spence from Takapuna Grammar won the intermediate girls and Matt Burgess from St Kentigern was the junior boys champion. Rangitoto's Lauren Smallfield won the junior girls title.