Aaron Royle Leads Australia’s Young Guns to Success at ITU Oceania Triathlon Sprint Distance Championship at Kinloch

Wollongong-based NSWIS triathlete Aaron Royle made the most of Beijing Olympian Kris Gemmell’s misfortune to win today’s ITU Oceania Triathlon Sprint Distance Championship at Kinloch in Lake Taupo, New Zealand.

The New Zealander and number one seed for the event was forced to retire due to mechanical failure on the bike, when his derailler broke, bringing his race to an abrupt end.

But one man’s misfortune was another man’s gain and Royle, runner-up in last year’s Oceania Championship, seized the opportunity to record an encouraging win from Dutchman Jan van Berkel in second with fellow Australians Jamie Huggett and Peter Kerr in third and fourth.

The third seeded Royle, coached by NSWIS coach Jamie Turner, produced his trump card on the bike, exiting onto the run alongside New Zealand pair Tom Davison and Edward Rawles with the two Kiwi youngsters keeping the elite company honest.

“I came into this race confident, it is my first race for the year and I know I am probably the fittest I have ever been,” said Royle.

“I was able to get a good swim and really take it out on the bike (and it was) the bike that got me the win today. “We had a good group, (including) Rawles and Davison and for a while Richard Vargas.

“I was concerned knowing that there were a few good guys that could bridge the gap on the run if my legs didn’t keep me going but I was able to push through to the end and hold the lead.

“The crowd was awesome, even though they were mostly going for New Zealand. I heard the odd cheer for me, I’m sure they love Australians!”

Meanwhile in the women’s race New Zealand’s Kate McIlroy recorded an impressive season opening hit out running away from the ever improving Dutch pair of Rachel Klamer and Danne Boterenbrood with Debbie Tanner running home fourth and Nikki Samuel fifth.

In other results, Royle’s fellow Turner coached NSWIS athlete and 2011 ITU World Championship team member Natalie Van Coevorden and the Jarrod Evans coached Victorian James Chronis both collected silver medals in the under 23 division.

Van Coevorden behind Klamer with New Zealand’s Rebecca Kingsford taking the bronze while Chronis split Kiwi pair Sam Franklin and Rawles.

In an under 19s event run in conjunction with the Oceania Championships, it was Australia’s Marcel Walkington (Victoria) also coached by Evans who ran away with the victory from Kiwi pair Sam Ward and Troy McAlistair while another member of the Wollongong-based Turner squad Tamsyn Moana-Veale finished second between two New Zealanders Mikayla Nielsen and Maddie Dillon in the women’s race.

Walkington, who won round one of the Australian Junior Triathlon Series at Runaway Bay in December, will be among cream of Australia’s Under 19s/juniors who will line up for their Oceania Championships in Devonport on March 10.

Contact Tri Series
Kinloch, Lake Taupo
ITU Oceania Sprint Championships (Elite and under 23s)

Elite Women
1 Kate McIlroy NZL 1:03:53
2 Rachel Klamer NED 1:03:57
3 Danne Boterenbrood NED 1:04:03
4 Debbie Tanner NZL 1:04:15
5 Nicky Samuels NZL 1:04:49

Elite Men
1 Aaron Royle AUS 58:24
2 Jan van Berkel NED 58:28
3 Jamie Huggett AUS 58:32
4 Peter Kerr AUS 58:40
5 Martin van Barneveld NZL 58:46

U23 Women
1 Rachel Klamer NED 1:03:57
2 Natalie Van Coevorden AUS 1:09:10
3 Rebecca Kingsford NZL 1:10:54

U23 Men
1 Sam Franklin NZL 1:00:24
2 James Chronis AUS 1:00:44
3 Edward Rawles NZL 1:00:52

U19 Women
1 Mikayla Nielsen NZL 1:08:22
2 Tamsyn Moana-Veale AUS 1:09:31
3 Maddie Dillon NZL 1:10:32
U19 Men
1 Marcel Walkington AUS 59:56
2 Sam Ward NZL 1:00:40
3 Troy McAlister NZL 1:02:52