Triathlon: Darmon, Kato take out Takapuna Triathlon

Oceania Triathlon Union Continental Cup Sprint Race Takapuna. Photo / Supplied

The Sovereign Tri Series wrapped up for the summer at a hot and humid Takapuna on Sunday, with racing going into the late afternoon as the promised rains finally hit the city, making for some exciting racing amongst the elites in the Oceania Continental Cup races.

Multi-national fields lined up in both the elite men's and women's races over the sprint distances and it was international athletes that came up with the gold medals in both, Jurie Kato (JPN) taking out the women's race and Ron Darmon (ISR) the men's, both on the back of superb runs.

Kato had to battle against a large group of young New Zealanders throughout before easing away on the run leg, showing all of her World Series racing experience in doing so against her much younger opponents.

"I am very happy, very happy with my win," said a beaming Kato. "Today was a very good race, the ride was very good with the New Zealand athletes racing very fast but I was the best one on the run today, this is good for my season and for my time training here in New Zealand."

The only one to remotely threaten on the run was Deb Lynch (NZL), the Porirua athlete stayed within touching distance through the opening kilometre on foot before settling for a strong second place finish, ahead of 18 year old Elizabeth Stannard (NZL), the Palmerston North based member of the Tri NZ National Talent Squad impressed in the difficult conditions to stand on the podium.

The men's race was dominated by the Australians and eventual winner Darmon who has been based in New Zealand for some weeks training and racing. Matt Baker (AUS) was the first to show out on the bike, riding away from early leaders Darmon and Trent Thorpe (NZL) - the young Aucklander led out of the water and rode aggressively through the first half of the bike to excite the home crowd.

Baker was then joined by Declan Wilson (AUS) and Darmon to establish a 20 second lead heading into the run and with only 4.3km to negotiate around the Takapuna CBD circuit, the medals were in sight.

Darmon proved to have the best running legs on the day - at least of the leaders, as he cruised to an impressive win, with Marcel Walkington (AUS) posting the fastest run split of the day to claim silver with Baker holding on for bronze ahead of Yuichi Hosoda (JPN) and young Aucklander Dan Hoy (NZL) in fifth place.

Darmon has been one of a number of internationals - including the Japanese team, training in New Zealand over the summer and was delighted with his form in Takapuna.

"We didn't expect it to rain even though it looked that way, it took me three of four laps to get my confidence around the corners but the race fell into my plans when two of the Aussies and I broke away and I just tried to stick on and then had the better legs on the run.

"I have been working hard on my running towards the ITU season, I thought I would have the better legs today and went for it on the second lap on the run and managed to hold on. I like this course, New Zealand is always challenging, if it is not technical it is hilly, today in a way we had both I guess.

"These were my prep races heading into Mooloolaba World Cup but I will definitely be back for the New Plymouth World Cup and then racing well in ITU events to qualify for the Olympic Games."

17 year old Hoy proved the best of the Kiwis as he posted the fifth fastest run split on the day to finish in that same position.

"That was good, my first hit out since Worlds last year after suffering from some illness over the summer so it is good to be back on the start line and racing. I came out of the water kind of just behind the front bunch, the swim is lacking a little at the moment as I haven't been working with my normal squad until my body is ready. At one point we got the margin down to about 8 seconds but we just couldn't catch the front guys.

"My legs were hurting over the first k or so but then came right and at the end I didn't have my normal last gear but that will come with more training. It is good to have a hit out before the World Champs qualifiers in Gisborne in two weeks, that is where I am aiming to book a spot on the team in that race."

It was otherwise a busy and successful day of racing, starting with the Auckland College Sports Championships in the morning and catering for everyone throughout the day from beginners to teams to corporates and to serious age groupers - all of whom loved the closed course and multi-lap nature of the event, with great viewing for family and friends around the course and by the finish line on the grass reserve with Rangitoto looming on the horizon.

Leading the way were the Sovereign team themselves, with acting CEO Sharron Botica leading a number of her senior management team in taking part, inspiring over 100 Sovereign staff to do likewise and make up teams or race individually on the day, with one of the highlights being the third place finish in the men's short distance race for Chief Marketing Manager Chris Lamers.

And with it being the final prize giving for the Sovereign Series, there was much excitement as supporting partner Suzuki gave away a brand new Swift. With one 'winner' from each of the Sovereign Tri Series events in the draw, it was a nervous few minutes as the numbers were whittled away until finally Nick Pope was chosen as the proud new owner of a Suzuki Swift. Represented by good friend Nick Rennie during the draw, you could hear the hollering and whoops of delight down the phone line when Kevin Loft from Suzuki drew out Nick's number from the two remaining.

While the Sovereign Tri Series is now wrapped up for the summer, attention now turns to Gisborne and the Sovereign Oceania Championships. With age group racing for everyone from beginner to experienced and with elite racing at Junior (U19), U23 and senior level it will be a great weekend on the East Coast. Adding to the appeal of the weekend is the lure of wildcard spots being earned by national associations for the Rio Olympic Games.