Crawford home with crown

MINE AGAIN: Wanganui resident triathlete Gina Crawford regained her Wanaka Challenge women's crown on Sunday.PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

SHE may now live in Wanganui, but Lake Wanaka continues to be Gina Crawford's true home course and the triathlete went right back to her old stomping ground to win her sixth Challenge Wanaka women's race on Sunday.

In the ninth year of the challenge, Crawford has only been beaten once in the seven triathlons she has contested - which was last year by expat Wanganui triathlete Candice Hammond

The course involved a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and then 42.2km run to finish.

Crawford's time of nine hours, 31.51 minutes had her nearly 12 minutes ahead of the next woman home, although she did not beat the course record, which she already owns - 9h 24m 35s set in 2013.

She had re-established her dominance in the women's race despite facing a record number of pro athletes.

Exiting the swim in 50m 55s, among a group of professional men, she maintained a lead of between five and seven minutes during the bike leg.

Laura Siddall of Great Britain finished 11m 55s behind her, while Michelle Bremer, originally from Mount Maunganui now living in Sydney, was 20m 25s back.

It was Siddall's second long distance triathlon after turning pro last year.

Wanaka's German professional, Simone Maier has been a consistent performer in recent years and finished the race just off the podium in fourth.

Crawford was delighted to reclaim her title after the runner-up spot last year.

"It's always a tough race here but the crowds are fantastic. It pushes you to the finish so thanks to everyone for your support.

"I find it difficult leading, I really love chasing when it's easier to keep focused and motivated.

When you're out front you don't know what's happening behind you," she said."

Crawford said she had a "pretty smooth day" with no low patches to speak of.

"Recovery is now my focus before racing in two weeks' time.

"It's just nice to have this good result - it's always really special to win here in Wanaka."

Crawford is second seed for the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand in Taupo on March 7.

The 2009 champion, she has finished runner-up in the past two years to top seed Meredith Kessler.

Melanie Burke, the former Wanganui athlete now based in Auckland, is the third seed.

In perfectly warm and still conditions in Wanaka, Christchurch's Dylan McNeice won his third men's race - the first man to do so - finishing in 8h 37m 14s.

Like Crawford for the women, McNeice was never led from the swim onwards, but Wanaka's Dougal Allan gave him a stronger challenge, finishing 2m 51s behind.

In the half triathlon, Craig Savage from Christchurch took the men's title and Auckland's Hannah Wells the women's.