It was one case of deja vu at the 2011 Craigs Investment Partners Tinman in the Bay of Plenty and one new name on the champions trophy.
With the region well and truly Open 4 Action, event organisers, Sport Bay of Plenty were delighted to welcome triathletes to the region for the traditional start of the season.
With most predicting rough and wet conditions at Pilot Bay for the 23rd Tinman Triathlon, all would have been pleased to see the blue sky as they racked their bikes. The rain held off in time to see the full field home with the 2011 Men's Champion, Callum Millward and Women's Champion Sam Warriner shining the brightest.
After the late withdrawal in the weekend of Mark Bowstead following a bike crash, all eyes turned towards Callum Millward and Michael Poole. They didn't disappoint. Although Poole was himself still recovering from a crash which has left his jaw wired, they exited the water together and stayed close through the bike and out onto the run.
Poole had the advantage as they exited transition and they were still together as they entered the Mount Base Track, where traditionally, the race is won and lost. Millward proved his fitness was right on form at the start of his season to finish ahead of a recovering Poole with just over two minutes separating them at the end.
As Millward made it two in a row at The Tinman, he also did his favorite status for the Port of Tauranga Half no harm. Challenge Wanaka champion, Jamie Whyte finished in third.
The women's field was blown wide open earlier in the week when two time champion Maddy Brunton was joined on the start list by Ironman champions Sam Warriner and Gina Crawford.
Crawford, joined in Mount Maunganui by her four month old son, was making her first appearance at an event since adding motherhood to her list of accomplishments. Warriner had enjoyed recent success on the 70.3 circuit since returning from a disappointing Ironman World Championship campaign in October.
The experienced duo proved too much for the teenage Brunton as the Ironman champions came out ahead in the water separated by only five seconds.
The lead soon extended with Warriner setting herself up for the 2012 season by taking her first Tinman title with five minutes to second placed Crawford who would have been pleased with her progress as she aims for the longer races in 2012. Brunton finished a strong third as she continues to grow in her elite carrier.
Men's results
1. Callum Millward (Auckland) 1:56:30
2. Michael Poole (Auckland) 1:59:16
3. Jamie Whyte (Auckland) 2:00:46
4. Matt Taylor (Auckland) 2:02:45
5. Owen Miller (Tauranga) 2:04:09
Women's results
1. Sam Warriner (Whangarei) 2:07:15
2. Gina Crawford (Wanganui) 2:12:28
3. Maddy Brunton (Hamilton) 2:19:47
4. Fiona Eagles (Auckland) 2:22:59
5. Samara Sheppard 2:24:58
