Here's a race report from the Race Director, Nick Munting himself:
What a weekend. Rained out Friday, blow out Saturday and truly "blown away" Sunday by the athletes who competed.
Here's a quick race report from a guy who was out there from beginning to end. Me.
The Swim. OK, I think we're the first race ever to sink the safety boat - it was rough! And that was before the start. Thankfully it calmed ever so slightly but hat's off too everyone who ventured into the H2O and made it home to start the bike. I wouldn't have liked to see it get too much rougher than that... I think the lake lowered by race end due to the amount of water drunk!
The Bike. Rain managed to undo all the good work done Wednesday by ACT Roads and some major pot holes formed Friday and there was nothing we could do except mark them. Pre Lead lap went smoothly with the SES and Traffic Technology people all in place before the lead car... which caught me with a few hundred metres to the end of first lap. I stopped at the Bike Aid station to assist for a while - good to see the pros handling the conditions there well; many slowing as the new crew learned to hand off efficiently (thanks Scouts!!!) Those kids are truly amazing; the wind there could cut faster than a knife!
The age groups were interesting - obviously a few who get a little 'anal'; and a few of these asked to tone the language down! That was a little disappointing!
Headed back to HQ; but then back on course to check a set of lights that 'turned off' - turned out the box failed... but SES were doing a great job keeping the locals away from the competitors... Rolled alongside a few people hiding from the wind behind bigger riders - didn't hear the silent Honda approaching - wish I'd had a yellow card with me.
A couple of people who were being used as 'engines' were very happy to see their 'carriages' drop back once spoken to however - but generally drafting wasn't too bad given the conditions which were 'orrible! Wind all over the compass and constantly changing in speed and direction. Cruel along the lake; rocket ride back towards town... hard down over the Kings Bridge.
Didn't see much of the run as I headed out to close down the course which is where I saw some of the best camaraderie and sportsman ship of the day... I followed out the tail end charlie; and we found the last competitor was obviously some one who had a mechanical as he was catching those in front at a rate of knots...
To cut a long story short there were seven competitors over a 500m stretch who were constantly catching and losing each other (big guys were bullets on the down hills, lead weights going up; the 'whippets' were OK going up but being blown around on the straights. I reckon, Jane, our tail end charlie called 30 change of last place between Lady Denman and Coppins alone...
One guy finally abandoned at the top of Coppins into Uriarra; but the other six fought tooth and nail all the way back to T2! Was happy to yell a few words of encouragement along the way..
Logistically and operationally the toughest race we've ever organised but I reckon we're in for at least three years fine weather now - it would be so good to see people stay for presentations!
To everyone who entered; to everyone who persevered, I dips me lid to you! TO those who fought and finished - well done; that event on that day will stay a badge of honour that says you are really a triathlete for years to come!
And to all those who put it off for another year - see in you 2009!!!!
