Triathlon: Warriner wins Tinman in final race

Two athletes at different stages of their careers triumphed at the 27th running of the Sovereign Tinman Tri Series held at Mount Maunganui today.

Multiple winner Sam Warriner, 44, produced a superb performance to romp home in the elite women's race in what will be her final appearance at the iconic event, while Matt Franklin, 22, from Auckland won his first men's title.

Defending champion Warriner first competed at Mount Maunganui back in 2004 and today's comfortable win was her fifth victory over the Standard distance of 1500m swim, 36km bike and 10km run.

"I have decided this was my last pro race. I will still be racing but will step down as a pro and just be an age -grouper," she said.

"The conditions were perfect. The wind was ideal, just a little but not too much, and the sea was flat. The run with the sun coming out around the Mount was just beautiful. It was a great race."

Happy to finish was Silver Fern netball star Laura Langman. The winner of many awards at the recent annual dinner, Langman was competing for the second year in a row and had to overcome some adversity on the way.

"I punctured out there! Man, I thought it was all over but I am so glad I got it repaired and finished. It must have taken me nearly 20 minutes but I feel so much better than if I had pulled out" she said.

"But what a beautiful day, a great day for this event, I enjoyed it - once I got over the puncture that is."

Whakatane District Council were again prominent as they take after the Sovereign CEO Challenge. Winners last season and donating the $25,000 to the Kirsty Lang Family Trust, CEO Marty Grenfell led a team of close to 60 taking part in various events throughout the day.

Sovereign Tri Series
Tinman, Mount Maunganui
Results

Standard Distance (Tinman)
Men
1 Matt Franklin, Auckland, 1:43:29
2 Alexi Petrie, Auckland, 1:45:59
3 Jay Wallwork, Auckland, 1:46:03
Women
1 Sam Warriner, Taupo, 1:51:16
2 Tineke Stewart, North Harbour, 1:55:11
3 Rebecca Fogarty, Auckland, 1:56:24

Sprint (750m swim, 18km bike, 5km run)
Men
1 Trent Thorpe, Auckland, 50:57
2 Bradley Cullen, Taupo, 53:06
3 Ryan Young, Tauranga, 54:12
Women
1 Hannah Knighton, Tauranga, 1:00:42
2 Teresa Adam, Auckland, 1:00:56
3 Lynda Perry, 1:01:21

Short (300m swim, 9km bike, 3km run)
Men
1 Jade Stafford
2 Ian Garfitt
3 Shane Smith

Youth Men
1 Matt Faulconbridge
2 Jamie Shields
3 Fergus Hamilton

Women
1 Emily Kneale
2 Abbie Mortimer
3 Emma Hannan

Youth Girls
1 Natalya Carter
2 Sophie Hogan
3 Olivia Hyland