TRIATHLON

Back to back wins for Watkinson at Orca Auckland Half

By Tania Tuck

Perfect conditions set the scene for the 11th running of the Orca Auckland Half triathlon, a favourite for many, on the picturesque course around Maraetai and Kawakawa Bay areas.

A strong women’s field including 2013 winner, Amelia Watkinson, World Champion Duathlete Mel Burke and consistent contender Tineke Stewart ensured there was going to be some great racing throughout.

Perfect glassy conditions for the swim at Maraetai started the day followed by a tough but honest bike leg from Maraetai to Kawakawa Bay and out to Kaiaua return where Watkinson put the pressure on the rest of the field to ensure she had a three minute lead onto the run.

Finishing strongly, Watkinson took line honours for the second year in a row in a time of 4:30:48, followed by Tineke Stewart 4:36:11 & Mel Burke 4:47:44.

In the men’s field, Matt Franklin led out of the water in an impressive time of 21.36 over the 2km swim.  Matt Parsonage, was three minutes back on the swim and had to work hard to reach Franklin on the bike.  The race was well and truly on once onto the run.  Parsonage ran away with the fastest run split of the day in the Men’s race of 1:19:42.

Lining up on the podium for the men’s race was Matt Parsonage 4:08:29, Matt Franklin 4:17:44, Andrew Small 4:24:21.

This was Parsonage’s fourth time at the Orca Auckland Half event and first time top honours!

In the teams event, Team Fitter won the mens's category in an impressive time of 4:28:05.  Mixed team Wairoa College dominated the mixed category in a time of 4:37:44.  The leading female team was late entry Tony's Princesses in a time of 4:55:59.

The short course was won by Shaun Jacka in a time of 1:31:52, just ahead of Sean Phelps 1:33:24 (also 50-59 category).  In the womens short course event, this went to Clare McKone in 1:49:19.

Full results are available here.

A full race report will follow in our next issue of NZ Triathlon magazine onsale Monday 14th April.

Photo Credits: ScottieTPhotography - Jocelen Janon


Womens Podium - Orca Auckland Half; Tineke Stewart 2nd (Left), Amelia Watkinson 1st (Centre), Mel Burke 3rd (Right).



Mens Podium - Orca Auckland Half; Matt Franklin 2nd (Left), Matt Parsonage 1st (Centre), Andrew Small 3rd (Right)


Matt Parsonage, 2014 Champion


Amelia Watkinson - 2014 Champion


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