16 March 2003

World champion Bozzone holds off strong triathlon challenge

World junior triathlon champion Terenzo Bozzone was pushed hard before winning the under-19 selection race for the SBS World Championships in Queenstown today.

Bozzone, who won both world junior triathlon and duathlon titles last year, held off a strong challenge from Christchurch’s Luke Hoetjes in the sprint distance event held in conjunction with the national secondary schools championships.

Talented Dunedin athlete Sarah Bryant added another title to her growing list to win the female race.

North Harbour triathletes Ben Pattle and Anna Hamilton took out the secondary school senior championships.

Bozzone was in a group of four including fellow Aucklander James Elvery, the recent Australian sprint title recently, who chased down the early leaders on the bike.

They came into the bike transition with Australian Tim Mackiewicz and Hoetjes.

The Australian and Hoetjes made the early running before Bozzone worked his way up to the lead, opening up a winning break up the climb on the final lap of Millbrook Resort on the run.

Bozzone won the 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run event in 1:03.42, s he sets himself for the world championships on the same course in December.

Hoetjes, who won the under-19 sprint championship in Wanganui in January, finished only 15 seconds behind with Mackiewicz third.

Sixteen-year-old South African Mari Rabie, second at last year’s world championships, led the female race out of the water before being reeled in on the run by national schools and under-19 champion Bryant who won in 1:11.16.

Results:

NZ Under-19 world championship trial:

Male: Terenzo Bozzone (North Harbour) 1:03.42, 1; Luke Hoetjes (Canterbury) 1:03.57, 2; Tim Mackiewicz (Australia) 1:05.04, 3.

Female: Sarah Bryant (Dunedin) 1:11.16, 1; Marie Rabie (South Africa) 1:11.52, 2; Gabrielle Workman (Australia) 1:12.18, 3.

Full results posted www.sportsboard.co.nz

For further information contact:
Ian Hepenstall
Media Commissioner
Triathlon New Zealand
Tel 021 613181