Tops at triathlons

The Casey-Cardinia Triathlon Squad was straight back into training after its success at the Australian Sprint Triathlon Championships held at Sandringham on 21 February: Luke Joiner, Nick Conway, Matt Barclay, James Luyper, Melanie Hunter and Mitch Lewis. Picture: Kim CartmellThe Casey-Cardinia Triathlon Squad was straight back into training after its success at the Australian Sprint Triathlon Championships held at Sandringham on 21 February: Luke Joiner, Nick Conway, Matt Barclay, James Luyper, Melanie Hunter and Mitch Lewis. Picture: Kim Cartmell

By Ben Hope
CASEY-CARDINIA Triathlon Squad (CCTS) head coach Nick Conway has reason to be proud of his club’s results at the recent Australian Sprint Triathlon Championships in Sandringham. This was the first time the club had entered the competition since forming in April 2009 and every club member produced a personal best time.
“I was very, very impressed,” Conway said.
“Everyone raced well outside their ability and it was amazing to see all the training we did throughout the winter pay off on that one day.”
“It was great to see how well our members can race when they are at their peak. It’s hard to tell in training how good they will be, but I didn’t expect that everyone was going to race so well.”
The race involved a 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike ride and a five-kilometre run and many of the CCTS athletes were competing for the first time.
Melanie Hunter earned herself the Australian Under 14 Female Sprint Champion with club-mate Jessica Cox not far behind in second place.
CCTS members Geordie Fyfe, Shannon Cox, Luke Joiner, Rennie Lewis, Tom Bramich, Matt Barclay, Austen Ramage and Ben Wright all placed in the top 10 of their age categories.
Topping off his club’s success, Conway took out the Australian Sprint Champion title.
“I was really surprised that I won that race,” Conway said.
“I’m a long distance athlete but I have just come down from an altitude training camp and am fitter than ever before.”
Conway came off the bike into the run with a 90-second lead and surprisingly kept the lead until the end of the race.
“I ran 90 seconds quicker than I ever have in a sprint race,” Conway said.
“Now I am really looking forward to racing in the world cup in Singapore later this month.”
The Singapore 70.3 is a world cup Half Ironman event held on 21 March and comprises a 1.9-kilometre swim, 90-kilometre ride and a 21-kilometre run.
The CCTS holds group training every day and since its inception in April has seen 12 members finish their first triathlon, including three with their best ever results. The club can also boast nine members who have competed in the world championships, with most finishing in the top 20 for their age groups.