Young triathletes vie for iconic tinman title

Cameron Brown is a former winner of the Tinman event. Photo / Getty

One of New Zealand's most iconic and popular triathlon events takes place at Mount Maunganui this Sunday 29th November with the hosting of the Sovereign Tinman, the second race in the seven-event Sovereign Tri Series.

Now in its 27th year, Tinman has proven popular throughout close to three decades thanks to both its timing and its location, as athletes descend on popular holiday destination Mount Maunganui to start their season of racing.

Event Director Stuart Dwight says the Tri Tinman is always a hit in the Sovereign Tri Series and is excited at the prospect of a new generation looking to put their mark on the event this weekend.

"Not only is Tinman one of our most popular, but it's also one of our most historic too. With close to 30 years of competition and memories, the people of Mount Maunganui and the triathlon community really get behind the event.

"We have seen many of the sports best grace this course and stand on top of the podium, Hamish Carter, Cameron Brown, Walter Thorburn, Graham O'Grady, Karyn Ballance, Heidi Alexander and Nicole Cope to name a few have all won this event and almost every one of them is drawn to it by the unique course that sees them run around the base of The Mount before heading to the finish line at Pilot Bay."

The men's race for line honours is shaping as an intriguing battle between a group of 'next generation' triathletes, all vying to add their names to that illustrious list of past winners.

19 year old Tayler Reid (Gisborne) from the Triathlon New Zealand National Talent Squad is making the trip north to race his first standard distance event, as is Cooper Rand (22, Auckland), Jay Wallwork (20, Auckland) and Matt Franklin (22, Auckland).

Ironically Reid will be up against his own personal coach in Stephen Sheldrake as the former elite athlete and nowadays Gisborne based coach is also lining up in the Sovereign Tinman over the standard (1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run) race, a race that he has been on the podium for many years ago.

"Tayler came back from Worlds which didn't go to plan with the change to a Duathlon but he is no longer a junior and he has to look at stepping up to standard distance and this loomed as the perfect opportunity.

"The transition is easier with sprint Continental Cup and World Cup events on the calendar these days, but he wanted to race a standard distance in a relatively relaxed environment and Sovereign Tinman is a perfect chance to experience what it is to bike 40k and run a hard 10k off that. He will want to do well, he is fit and had a good three weeks holiday and then started training in early October."

Sheldrake plays down his return to an iconic event, nowadays in the 40-44 age group, Sheldrake described himself as a 'participant' rather than a 'competitor' albeit he may yet have some age group goals on the horizon.

As always with the Sovereign Tri Series, there's a race available for anyone - no matter what age or ability. Get the kids involved in the Splash 'n' Dash for 5-10 year olds or for first timers the Short Distance race is perfect.

The Standard Distance race is also the North Island Championships.

High Performance Ambassador Simone Ackermann will be on site to sign autographs, take photographs, offer tips and advice and just have a chat with anyone.

Ensuring there will be plenty of fun on the day is news that inaugural Sovereign Tri Series CEO Challenge winners from last summer are back. The Whakatane District Council has confirmed they'll be out to defend their title, starting at Tinman this weekend. The CEO Challenge is all about bringing a work place together and getting active. The company that engages best with their staff will win $25,000 courtesy of Sovereign, which then goes to a charity of the winning company's choice.

The Jennian Homes New Zealand Aquathlon Championships take place at Pilot Bay on the same weekend, with racing set for Saturday morning as either a stand-alone event, or a nice preparation for Sunday's Sovereign Tinman event. The race is for all ages 11 years and over, and is also a selection event for next year's Aquathlon World Championships in Cozumel, Mexico.

Registration is open from 4pm - 7pm on Saturday 28th November a Pilot Bay. On race day, registration is open from 6am, with late race entries being accepted from 6am -7am.

Sovereign Tri Series, Tinman
Pilot Bay
Mount Maunganui
For all entry and event information visit www.triseries.kiwi