The 40th anniversary didn’t disappoint. While Aussies might have appreciated a home-country men’s winner, there wasn’t much complaining to see New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde take the men’s title, especially as he was pushed right to the line by Matt Hauser. Â The real star of the weekend, though, was Ashleigh Gentle, who confirmed her status as the “Queen of Noosa” with her 10th win.
We look back at the exciting day of racing with these photos from race day:
All eyes were on Hayden Wilde before the start of the race.The pro men were off first … but not without at least one spill on the run down the beach.Next up were the pro women …Followed by the age groupersThe Aussie version of a relatively easy swim is a bit different to ours …Hayden Wilde found himself chasing rival Matt Hauser out of the waterMikayla Messer, a former national team open water swimmer from Australia, was first out of the water, She would flat on the bike and pull out of the race.Paratriathlete Maggie Saddles works her way to the beach after an excellent swimOnce the swim is done there is a run of about 400 m to transition.All smiles starting the bike.As he gears up for his first 70.3 in Melbourne, Hayden Wilde looked comfortable on his TT bike, pulling clear of the rest of the men towards the end of the ride.Ashleigh Gentle pushed the pace towards the end of the bike, too …But she had some company in the form of Hanne de Vet …… and Lotte WilmsWilde lost of his lead when he hit T2 and managed to get lost in transition … then, to add insult to injury, he’d broken a brake lever, so his bike wouldn’t stay on the rack. That put him alongside Hauser at the start of the run.Early on in the run Richelle Hill ran alongside Ashleigh Gentle … that wouldn’t last too long, though!Fenella Langridge had a solid day, but was never really in the mix for the win and would take ninth.Aussie Olympic hopefuls Charlotte McShane and Jaz Hedgeland push each other on the run.Another Olympian, Jake Birtwhistle would run his way to fourth.After opening a gap by the halfway point of the run, Wilde was able to hold off Hauser’s final charge to take the win.Wilde’s 1:41:56 set a new course record.Henri Schoeman would take third behind Hauser.Ashleigh Gentle has won 1/4 of the Noosa Triathlon races.Sophie Malowiecki would run her way to second.Richelle Hill, who’s mother is a former Noosa champion, would take third.Matt Hauser, Hayden Wilde and Henri Schoeman celebrate their podium finishes.Sophie Malowiecki, Ashleigh Gentle and Richelle Hill on the podium.Time to cool down after a hot day of racing.
Photo by:
Kevin Mackinnon
