CHUBBY Hale doesn't rate herself as a swimmer, but she still managed to top the leaderboard in the MoreFM Triwoman triathlon on Saturday at Ruakaka.
A big swell and strong rips at times tormented a huge field of 282 entrants in the fun event, which saw Hale emerge with the fastest
time - a lead she built on with her more accustomed biking and running legs.
The two-times Whangarei Girls' High School cross-country champion finished the 300m swim in 6 minutes 52 seconds, the 15km cycle in 31.50 and the 3km run in 13.12, giving her victory by more than four minutes after all the times were compared.
The win pleased the 18-year-old, but not as much as completing the race. "The best part of the day for me was crossing the finish line, and that feeling of yes, I've done it, now I can rest," she said.
It was a good ending to Hale's first ever triathlon.
"I probably will do some more triathlons now, I'm going to have to train a bit more though for the next one to improve my swimming, that's the hard bit for me. If you get tired in the water, you can drown so that's not my favourite part."
The biggest problems for organisers was the swim. With a heavy swell running, they eventually set the swimmers off in nine groups. Most of the competitors were new to triathlons and it was encouraging to see so many women giving the sport a go.
Estelle Tiller finished second in the event while Robyn Turnball and Denise Limbly were third equal.
