KEY POINTS:
Auckland twins William and Andrew Curtayne, 22, upset the favourites at the second round of the national triathlon series at Whangamata yesterday to claim first and third place.
William timed his run home to perfection, clocking two hours and 15 seconds, to beat the hero of his teenage days, fellow Aucklander Cameron Brown, 36, by eight seconds.
Andrew Curtayne came in third at 2hr 2min 50sec, ahead of two other favourites, Wellington's Martin Barneveld and defending champion Aucklander Stephen Sheldrake, fourth and fifth respectively.
The women's race was won by Wanaka's world No 33 Nicky Samuels in 2hr 13min 9sec followed by Dunedin's Sarah Bryant, 2hr 23min 29sec and Auckland's Jacqui Seebold in 2hr 24min 45sec.
Competitors enjoyed perfect conditions at Whangamata with flat surf, warm temperatures and a light breeze.
Brent Foster led out of the swim for the men's event, the former aquathlon world champion catching waves expertly to lead the Curtayne brothers by 33 seconds.
Brown, the seven times Ironman NZ champion, moved smoothly into the lead midway through the 40km bike leg, taking Sheldrake with him with William Curtayne staying in touch in third. They stayed that way for the entire ride back into Whangamata, entering transition into the 10km run side by side.
One lap into the three-lap run William Curtayne had moved into stalking mode behind Brown as Sheldrake dropped off the pace, and on the final lap it was Curtayne's quicker legs
that won the day as he broke away for the win.
"The plan was to stay with whoever went past me on the bike and stay in contact through to the run. To stay in touch with two class guys like Cam and Stephen on the bike was great," said William Curtayne.
"I headed out on to the run looking to pace off Cam until the last lap and do what I could to get away, back my speed over his endurance. At the start of the last lap I had a crack and managed to hold the lead, I'm delighted.
"I remember being inspired by Cam Brown when he came to speak at my school when I was younger so it was great to race alongside him today."
William Curtayne's main goal this year is to gain selection into the national under-23 team for the world championships.
Brown, 36, was pleased with his workout as he prepares for the 25th Ironman NZ in March. "I have had ... an Achilles injury so to run nice and smooth today was great.
"It is superb to see someone like William win today too, and, to be fair, it should be happening.
"William is just one of a number of class young athletes coming through - it is good to see the sport in good hands for the future."
In the women's race, Whangarei teenager Simone Ackerman led Samuels out of the water with Seebold in close attendance in third. Samuels took control of the race early in the bike and extended her lead throughout the remainder of the race to win by a commanding margin.
It was a welcome return to the winner's circle for Samuels after a frustrating 2008, ruined in part by injury: "I am pleased with the day and to be back racing again; it is nice to start the season on a winning note and defend my title from last year."
- NZPA
