Clayton Fettell and Ellie Salthouse win Race One of the Gatorade Queensland Triathlon Series

Queensland Olympic distance champion Clayton Fettell and Brisbane’s Ellie Salthouse claimed victory at Race 1 of the Gatorade Queensland Tri Series in sensational racing conditions at Raby Bay this morning.

Fettell dominated the field and showed no signs of redemption in the super sprint distance format (400m swim, 15km cycle, 4km run) remaining out of sight from the lead pack of males, from the start to the finish of the race.

The young gun showed strength in all legs of the race proving he was a force to be reckoned with, displaying a swift exit from swim and into transition, allowing him to hit the bike leg solo.

In the final leg of the race Fettell proved that he had his eye on the prize and showed good legs in the run bringing him home to claim victory ahead of Israel’s Ron Darmon, who is currently training in Brisbane, and the consistent Brayden Tucker who placed second and third respectively.

I was very surprised today I didn’t expect to have the speed in my legs.

Basically the first half of this season I have been setting up for Busselton Ironman in Western Australia. I think I am better suited to iron distance events and obviously today the bike course was to my advantage to get a little bit out of sight from the other boys. I knew I needed about a minute faster on the other boys in the run. So luckily today I got the job done but well done to the other boys.” Fettell said.

With the Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival on later this month Fettell proved that his race tactics have been finetuned and his form will hopefully snare him a podium finish.

Noosa Tri is coming up and I am confident I am in good form and obviously a podium finish would be nice,” said Fettell.

A tight pack of four, including Ron Damon, Brayden Tucker, Joshua Maeder and Kane Simpson held together on all three laps of the bike leg and exited the bike to run transition in unison.

Ron Darmon, who recently came fourth in the World Junior Championships in Beijing, entered transition in second place and maintained his position on the cycle and run legs of the race.

Despite not being able to catch Fettell on the run, he was pleased with his performance.

“I thought it would be a lot easier. The swim was absolutely brutal and I was working hard in the bike leg and by the time I got to the run I realised there was someone in the run and we worked hard by trying to catch him.

I came here to just go hard and I tried to catch him (Fettell) but it didn’t quite work but I am happy with my result today, Darmon said.

Brisbane’s Ellie Salthouse claimed victory in the open female category placing in front of Brisbane girls Bonnie Atherton and Holly Grice.

I didn’t quite have the swim I wanted today so I knew I had to everything I could on the run so I just went out there and gave it everything,” Salthouse said.

Salthouse exited the water amongst the lead pack of females however made up some time in the bike leg ahead showing a clear headway in front of Bonnie Atherton, Holly Grice and Paige Single.

After overcoming illness, spending some time training in Europe and adding a couple of World Championships to her achievements, Salthouse is looking forward to racing at the upcoming Noosa Triathlon and is determined to bring her game with her.

I will be at Noosa racing the female elite there so I am really looking forward to it.

“I have spent the winter over in Europe for three months and it was a great experience training over there and I did a couple of World Cups over there. I came back and had a bout of sickness so I have just got over that so I just went out today, no excuses and gave it everything,” Salthouse said.

For the age-groupers, Raby Bay once again proved to be a popular event with over 1500 competitors turning out to take part.

The day also included the Fire & Rescue Recruiting Queensland Enticer Triathlon which continues to be a popular choice for beginner triathletes and those keen on keeping fit and having some fun.

The increasingly popular Kool Kids Triathlon, for children 7-11 years of age, again recorded good numbers with over 100 eager kids participating in the 100m swim, 2km cycle and 400m run.