Nicky Samuels lived up to her pre-race favoritism by winning the fourth round of the national triathlon series in Timaru on Saturday. The Whangarei athlete led from start to finish to clock 2:12.38, 11 minutes clear of second-placed Ashburton athlete Julia Grant in the strength-sapping heat. Samuels took her third win insuccession in Contact-sponsored series after victories in Whangamata and Wanaka, once again blitzing the women's field. "Racing while training through is tough and I felt it again today. This will sound a bit weird, but my arms felt heavy in the swim, my legs tired on the bike and I struggled on the run. Having said that I am not race fit yet, that will come later in the season." Samuels said she was enjoying her new programme with new coach Mark Elliott. At the moment, very little swimming was involved although she had been doing some early speed work, with the ITU races and the world championship series her main target. World No33 Samuels is living proof that you never stop learning, as she works on new techniques in both her bike and running work, in part to alleviate the injury problems of last year. "We are working on some technique work to adjust the way I am riding and running so that is also taking some getting used to. But it is important if I am to avoid some of the injury issues of recent years, especially the pelvis problems that wrecked the second half of last year." Taupo's Bryan Rhodes won the men's race in 2:03.35, over a minute ahead of second-place Aaron Barclay from Gore with Christchurch's Ross Smith in third.
