Rick Faulding, 70, peacefully passed away last Thursday, December 12, surrounded by his loving and dedicated family. A humble man who deserves his story to be told.
Rick Faulding’s name resonates as a cornerstone in New Zealand’s triathlon history, a sport he not only championed but also helped shape into what it is today. From being the first New Zealander to conquer the Hawaii Ironman, to bringing the event to New Zealand in 1985, to inspiring future generations, Faulding’s legacy is both vast and enduring.
In 1979, Faulding won the inaugural Les Mills Triathlon in Auckland, arguably New Zealand’s first triathlon. His success continued in 1980 when he defended his title and became the country’s first New Zealand triathlon champion.
From this, the first great rivalry in New Zealand triathlon unfolded between Faulding and Dr John Hellemans, who would later become the country’s most celebrated triathlon coach.
In 1984, this rivalry would captivate a young Rick Wells, prompting him to shift his focus from swimming to triathlon.
Wells recalls: “I wanted to benchmark myself against the best, and Rick and John were the standard. I quickly realised the level of training required if I was to beat Rick and the mental fortitude needed. He was just so bloody tough. What separated Rick from the rest was his innovation when it came to training. He and John Hellemans were writing the book we were all reading in a sport still in its infancy. Without Rick’s rivalry, friendship, and business acumen, I would never have become a world champion. I owe so much of my success to him.”
Dr John Hellemans himself recalls Faulding’s pioneering spirit: “Back in the early ‘80s, Rick was a force of nature. Alongside surf lifesaving legends Reg and Kim Harker, he dominated the Auckland and New Zealand triathlon scene before Rick Wells took centre stage. He was also a pioneer, the first New Zealander to compete in the Hawaii Ironman in 1982. I still remember his warning to me back then: ‘It’s not an event for the faint of heart.’ It took me years to muster the courage to take on Hawaii myself, only to find out how right he was.”
While on an international flight in 1981, Faulding read about the gruelling Hawaii Ironman, a combination of a 3.8km ocean swim, 180km bike ride, followed by a marathon. Intrigued, he entered the 1982 event, confirming his place in New Zealand triathlon history as the first Kiwi to compete in the iconic race. Based on his experiences, he coined the phrase “Ironman is so much greater than the sum of its parts”, a mantra and warning to any aspiring Ironman athlete that still holds true to this day.
Determined to share the Ironman experience, Faulding worked with IMG New Zealand’s Paul Gleeson to bring the event to Auckland in 1985, attracting the world’s best athletes such as Scott Tinley, Scott Molina and Dave Scott.
New Zealand Ironman legend Erin Baker would win the race four times, with her first victory coming in 1986. It was a pivotal step in her going on to win the Hawaiian Ironman World Championships in 1987 and 1991. The New Zealand Ironman remains the second-oldest Ironman event in the world behind Hawaii.
The establishment of the New Zealand Ironman would also have a profound impact on a young athlete by the name of Cameron Brown who would go on to become New Zealand’s greatest-ever male endurance athlete and an eventual 12-time winner of the race.
Reflecting on Faulding’s impact, Brown shared: “My fondest memories of Rick Faulding were on some of our training runs in the Waitākere Ranges while preparing for the 2001 New Zealand Ironman.
It would be my first victory in the event and a childhood dream come true. Rick was the instigator of bringing Ironman to New Zealand, and it was watching the New Zealand Ironman in the late ‘80s on Auckland’s waterfront that inspired me to take up the sport fulltime and chase the dream.”
As the head of sponsorship at Dominion Breweries, Faulding played a pivotal role in fostering triathlon’s growth. The DB Triathlon Series in the late 1980s and early 1990s became a proving ground for future champions like Hamish Carter. Faulding’s commercial initiatives saw athletes like Rick Wells and 1991 Commonwealth Games cycling gold medallist Graeme Miller individual sponsorship allowing them to train at 100% knowing they had financial backing.
In the 1990s, Faulding expanded his influence as the head of Northern Lifeguard Services, successfully helping bring the World Surf Lifesaving Championships to Auckland in 1998. His leadership in these diverse roles showcased he was not only a great athlete, but a great sports administrator.
Following the tragic loss of his eldest son, James, in a road cycling accident in 2001, Faulding dedicated his life to teaching and inspiring the next generation. As a teacher at St Kentigern College in Auckland, he transformed the school into a powerhouse for triathlon and cycling.
Dylan McCullough, a 2024 Olympic triathlete, reflects on Faulding’s impact: “Rick (Mr Faulding) has been one of the most influential people in my life. I wouldn’t be a professional triathlete now and have competed at the Olympics if it wasn’t for the drive and determination that Rick instilled in me. He created a unique and competitive culture at St Kent’s, leaving us always striving for the top step of the podium.”
McCullough’s performance at the Paris Olympics exemplified Faulding’s influence, as the young athlete famously sacrificed his own personal ambitions to ensure teammate Hayden Wilde secured a medal – a testament to the values Faulding instilled in his students.
Faulding’s return to triathlon as CEO of Triathlon New Zealand in 2006 saw him establish the Contact National Triathlon Series and a new Auckland office. His initiatives capitalised on the Olympic success of Hamish Carter and Bevan Docherty, further cementing New Zealand’s reputation in the sport.
Rick Faulding’s legacy is multifaceted: a loving husband to Janet, father to Olivia, James, and John, and a mentor to countless athletes. His influence on New Zealand’s triathlon landscape remains unparalleled, leaving a profound impact on the sport and those who knew him.
* Mark Watson is one of New Zealand’s most experienced broadcasters and commentators, and whose specialist sports include triathlon and cycling.