Brown
takes out Rotorua National Series race
Third win for Ferguson


Five-time New Zealand ironman champion Cameron Brown has today [28 January
2007] taken out the fifth Contact Energy New Zealand Cup men's race in the
National Triathlon Series, at Blue Lake in Rotorua, part of the Bike Vegas Blue
Lake Multisport Festival.

After finishing the 1.5km swim leg in ninth place 34 year-old Brown gained a
three minute lead on his opponents in the 40km cycle leg. After the 10km run,
Brown finished the race more than two minutes ahead of his nearest
opponent, with a final time of 2.12.15.

Auckland athlete Blair Jordan came in second with a time of 2.14.40, while
series leader Tristan Calwell, from Auckland's North Shore, finished third with
a time of 2.16.53. Calwell's third place finish means he keeps his first
place ranking on the series points table.

Brown said it was great to put in an Olympic distance race ahead of Ironman New
Zealand on 3 March.

"It was a tough course and I had to keep the pace on the whole time,"
Brown said.

"It's fantastic to see Triathlon New Zealand putting on a national triathlon series. I competed in the last national
series which was about 10-15 years ago, so it's great to have another national
series up and running."

In the women's race, Christchurch's
Gina Ferguson achieved her third win of the series, keeping her first place
ranking on the series points table after taking out the New Plymouth and Nelson
races.

Ferguson finished the race in 2.31.00 followed
by Anna Hamilton of Albany (Auckland) in second in 2.36.35.

Anne-Marie Madden of Nelson finished third with a time of 2.39.13.

The next race in the Contact Energy National Series will take place in Kinloch
on 4 February 2007.