Multisport: Rotorua win brings Wilde to tears

Hayden Wilde (centre), his mother Sarah Wilde-Ennis and stepfather James Ennis were overcome with emotion after the 18-year-old won the premier multisport event in Rotorua at the weekend. Photo / Ben Fraser

After completing 50 gruelling kilometres battling it out for honours in the premier race of the 2016 3D Rotorua Multisport festival it's no wonder athletes feel emotional crossing the finishing line.

And young athlete Hayden Wilde, originally from Whakatane, but who now lives in Tauranga, broke down in tears after winning top spot in the signature multisport event on Saturday.

The challenging course consisted of a 9km kayak, paddling on the fresh waters of Tikitapu (Blue Lake), a 30km mountain bike ride in the Whakarewarewa Forest and a 11km trail run in the Redwoods Forest.

Wilde completed the course in 2h 40m 14s, more than three minutes faster than second-placed Lance Smith from Puhoi who finished with a time of 2h 43m 54s, with Daniel Jones from Wellington third in 2h 45m 11s. However, 18-year-old Wilde had to come back from a two-minute deficit after the kayak, behind the then leader Sam Clark, also from Whakatane, who finished fourth in 2h 45m 58s.

"It's such an unbelievable result for me. I can't even explain it and that's why I was so emotional crossing over the line," said Wilde.

"One athlete I was really watching out for was Sam. He's been my idol for years and it's awesome to beat him. He's such an amazing athlete.

"I was really pleased with my bike. I had to push myself to try and catch him when he had that lead. I had to concentrate and get my levels down and wait until I could attack.

"And finally on one of the hills I just went for it. I'm just stoked to do so well because I have been focused on triathlon recently."

After finishing the course Wilde was congratulated by proud mum Sarah Wilde-Ennis and stepfather James Ennis who were also emotional.

"Words can't describe his achievement. We are just both over the moon for him," said mum Sarah. "It was a very tough field today and Hayden really had to battle back. It's a very proud day for our family."

Wilde went into the course on the back of winning the 2016 full Nugget solo event in Waihi in May and finishing first in the two-day coast-to-coast World Multi-sport Championships individual race on the South Island in February.

"I've really increased my training recently and it's great that things are paying off," he said. "Even though I have done well recently I didn't expect to get the win because of the quality of competitors.

"I was most happy with my bike section and I will be looking to work on my start to the race as I don't want that to cost me in the future."

Despite Wilde's success in multisport events the 18-year-old has hinted that his future lies in triathlon and he plans to put his promising multisport career on the backburner to try and get to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"I've always wanted to go to the Olympics - it's the highest level of competition, so it would be such a great experience," he said. "I'll not be doing much multisport in the years to come because my focus will be turned to triathlon."

The top finisher in the female field was Simone Maier from Wanaka in a time of 3h 09m 48s with Elina Ussher from Nelson in second place with 3h 15m 01s and third spot going to Corrinne Smit in 3h 19m 46s.

- For all the results visit www.thetimingteam.co.nz.