Surfbreaker win to Reid

Tayler Reid in action. File picture

GISBORNE’S Tayler Reid barely raised a sweat in taking out the Eves Surfbreaker Triathlon at Mount Maunganui’s Main Beach on Sunday.

Fresh from being named a tier 3 athlete in the Triathlon New Zealand high performance squad, the 19-year-old won the sprint distance of a 750-metre ocean swim, 16-kilometre cycle and 5km-run in a sharp time of 49 min 23 sec.

Taupo’s Kyle Smith was second (50.39) and Papamoa’s Aiden Dunster third (51.04)

“It is good to start the season off with a win,” said Reid. “I was looking to blow some cobwebs off and go hard all the way. I was supposed to run the Tinman a few weeks ago but I crashed into a car on a training ride.

“I love this event. I haven’t done it for a while but I love that hard (200m) run on the sand to finish. Last time I did it I got third so I’m thrilled to be two places better.”

Reid’s coach, Stephen Sheldrake, was sixth overall and first in the 36-years-plus division in 52.48.

First home in the women’s sprint distance was a familiar face now competing under her married name. Sam Bradley (nee Warriner) has stepped back from competing full-time to concentrate on mentoring her Sweat 7 team of athletes.

But she showed her competitive spirit is as strong as ever in winning by nearly two minutes in 54.59.