Olivia Cummings dominates Taupo festival

Tauranga triathlete Olivia Cummings, 14, was the standout performer at the Future ChampioNZ Talent Festival held in Taupo last weekend.

Cummings won the girls' under-16 division in some style, finishing first in each of the four events over three hectic days of competition. She won the aquathlon (400m swim, 1.5km run), open water swim (400m), track run (1.2km) and triathlon (400m swim, 10km cycle, 1.5km run).

The festival involved 120 of New Zealand's best young triathletes plus the national age group team from Japan.

This was the second year it has been held to test skills like transitions, swim skills and bike tactics, plus put young athletes under the stress of multiple events in racing conditions.

Athletes accumulated points over the three days with 350 points on offer per event, and 700 for the grand final triathlon.

Cummings, who attends Otumoetai College, said "it was really fun to meet all the new people but it was really cool to win all four of them".

"I wasn't actually too sure how I would go but as I started winning some of the first ones it was definitely a goal at the end.

"The hardest one I would have to say was the triathlon because of my biking. We haven't really focused on that much so I knew I had to do a really good swim to try and stay up in the front.

"It is good to know where you are at compared with all the other people. We were racing some of the best in New Zealand girls in my age group and it was really tough racing them."

Cummings is part of Triathlon Tauranga and is coached by Craig Kirkwood.

"It was a really good opportunity for her to test herself against some of the best in the country," Kirkwood said.

"I wasn't really sure how she would go but I knew she would perform pretty well, but you never know who else is out there and what they are capable of.

"She started with the aquathlon on Friday and was pretty dominant in that. She was first out of the water and ran away from them. From that point on I knew she had the wood over them and it would be hers to lose really.

"She rose to the challenge and under pressure she performed really well, and showed a mature head which was pleasing to see."

For Cummings there is one shining goal driving her through all those gruelling early morning and after-school training sessions.

"The big one is definitely the Olympics and the nationals as well are the main focus for me. I am grateful to Smith Sports Shoes for my running gear and shoes, plus Liz van Welie Aquatics for their support."

Kirkwood said a lot of young athletes had the same dream but did not have the drive or focus Cummings has.

"She is very driven and focused and knows exactly what she wants to do. That makes coaching her very easy."

Other Triathlon Tauranga athletes to do well in Taupo were Hannah Knighton (third junior girls), Emily Irvine (seventh junior girls), Sacha McLeod (sixth youth girls), Grace Blissett (10th youth girls) and Chris Wotton (10th youth boys).