Fisher and Spence take titles

Ray Lichtwark and Steve Currie embrace after their 33rd Taupo triathlons. PHOTO/SCOTT TAYLOR

New Zealand and Australia shared the spoils in the Oceania Continental Cup Triathlon raced as part of the Sovereign Tri Series in Kinloch today, with Ryan Fisher (Australia) taking out the men's title and Kiwi Rebecca Spence the women's on a searing hot day.

Raced over the sprint distance (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run), the elite athletes turned on a show for the big crowd.

Spence had no problems with the warm conditions.

"The heat was fine, I live in Auckland so I reckon the humidity up there is double, this was a breeze really," said Spence. "It is a strong course, that massive hill on the bike, but because it is such a small field you don't have to push too hard on the bike, the gaps just open quickly. This is a great start to the year and I am really pleased, I don't really have a grand goal or dream this year, I am just looking to stay in the sport and race because I love to."

In the men's race Fisher held his form though and was delighted to have won a Continental Cup title as he looks to a big season on the ITU stage.

"To be honest I thought about it a little before the race, I wanted to get away by myself until I saw how hard the course was yesterday, I sort of thought about it again but didn't plan on it happening when it did. I was worried though about going on to the run with the likes of (Sam) Ward and (Ryan) Sissons, so I was pleased it played out the way it did for sure."

Sissons, who finished second, paid tribute to his fallen friend Laurent Vidal as he crossed the line, with a point to the heavens and an emotional tribute at the end of the race.

"It is still pretty hard, he inspired me to keep racing, it was always hard coming here to race without him, knowing he was going to be with me through until Rio, I am just thankful I had the chance to know the guy and call him a friend."

One of the great sights was the post-race embrace from Rotorua's Ray Lichtwark and Steve Currie (Taupo) as the good mates and rivals both completed their 33rd successive Taupo events, in what is now of course known as the Erin Baker race.

"Steve keeps bringing me back," said Lichtwark, while Currie returned the favour saying it was Lichtwark who brought him back year after year.

"Taupo is the premier place for a triathlon I reckon," said Lichtwark. "It is just amazing, the water is pure and I have always liked the hard courses and this is a hard course isn't it."

Both were equally quick to say they would be back to race each other again for the 34th straight time next year, albeit after a few beers to celebrate this one in the meantime.

Oceania Continental Cup (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) results:

Men:
1 Ryan Fisher, AUS 1:01:24; 2 Ryan Sissons, NZL 1:01:36; 3 Sam Ward, NZL 1:01:41.
Women:
1 Rebecca Spence, NZL 1:09:42; 2 Nicole van der Kaay, NZL; 1:10:05; 3 Yurie Kato, JPN 1:10:56.

Erin Baker (1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run)

Women:
1 Sam Bradley 2:16:02; 2 Tamara Reed 2:27:05; 3 Charlotte Gordon 2:28:39.
Men:
1 Matt Franklin 2:02:24; 2 Malcolm King 2:04:38; 3 Jake Jackson-Grammer 2:06:24.