Impressive Performances at First Ever National Triathlon Series

Stephen Sheldrake Takes Out Men's Race in first leg of Contact Energy New Zealand Cup; Xterra Champ Gina Ferguson takes out women's leg by eight minutes

Crowds gathered at New Plymouth's Ngamotu Beach today saw Stephen Sheldrake streak ahead to win the Contact Energy New Zealand Cup men's race in the first ever National Triathlon Series.

198 competitors started the race, which included a 1.5km swim along Ngamotu Beach; a 40km cycle out and back along surf highway 45 and a 10km loop run along the waterfront finishing back at Ngamotu Beach.

At the final transition, Sheldrake, [33], was 1.2km ahead of his competitors, coming across the finish line more than two minutes ahead of the rest of the field in 1.59.21.

The Sheldrake name is synonymous with Triathlon in New Zealand, with father Terry having a long history in the sport - he is the only New Zealand representative on the board of the International Triathlon Union and is race director of this weeks World Triathlon Festival.

But the spotlight is on son Stephen today, who said it was a great feeling to win the first race of the Contact Energy New Zealand Cup.

Tristan Calwell [30] of Auckland came in second with a time of 2.01.37, and Andrew Young [32] of Wellington finished third in 2.03.52.

In the women's race, Xterra New Zealand Champion Gina Ferguson [25] of Christchurch was the first to reach the finish line, with a time of 2.15.07 followed by Kelly Bruce [21] from Maungatauroto in second with a time of 2.23.13 and Bridget Fry [28] from Wellington in third in 2.24.25.

150 competitors aged 13 years and over and 15 team entries completed the Tri My Sport participation race which featured a 750 m swim along Ngamotu Beach, a 20 km cycle heading towards surf highway 45, and a 10km loop run along the waterfront finishing at Ngamotu Beach.

Ryan Sissons took out the men's field, finishing in 1.03.03. and the first woman home was Rebecca Kingsford who finished with a time of 1.12.41.

`College Boys' took out the corporate challenge in 2.06.51 - which featured 22 local teams.

Results from Race One of the Contact Energy National Sereis