Team Race Update from Australia

G'Day.

Quick update from Aussie.

Team relay results (300m swim, 10k bike, 3k run).

Boys: Bronze Medal - Matt led off with a strong getting Canada into the front pack of 5 handing off to Aaron who had a brilliant leg getting Canada up to the front Aussie/Kiwi team. Front pack was down to four - Canada, New Zealand, Team ITU and Australia. The New Zealand and Aussie team charged out on the run and Aaron keep in close contact keeping Canada in third and gapping the Team ITU. On the change over for the third leg the New Zealanders and Aussies had a 50m lead on the swim leg however Cole Stewart powered up to them to form a pack of three guaranteeing Canada of a medal. The front running Kiwis' and Aussies' showed their run speed to take Gold and Silver respectively with Cole bringing Canada home close behind for the Bronze. Very good performances by the Canadians considering that in 4 days the Aussies will be selecting their world junior team from the Canberra race and the Kiwi's used the race as a world junior team selection event.. so needless to say they are all in top racing form.

Girls: Sixth Place - Christine took Canada out strong on the first leg of the relay with a front pack swim and bike keeping Canada in close on the run. Kyla took over the next leg and kept the team in the top five but the gaps started on the bike leg with two Australian teams getting away. Alex raced the anchor leg and keep Canada close finishing about 30-40 seconds back from the bronze medal.

We should proud of our juniors for competing so well against some southern hemisphere national teams that are in top racing form.

Thanks for cheering for us. We could feel it all the way here in Aussie.

We're just packing up the bikes then off for an afternoon of sightseeing and shopping with the other triathlon nations.

Tomorrow we'll take the local train down to Sydney and meet a former NTC athlete Julien Periard, who is doing is PhD at Sydney University, for some more sightseeing and beach time - Manley Beach.

We look forward to seeing you on Monday in Vic.

Thanks NTC team mates and parents.

PK