Panasonic Triathlon and 70.3

Half Ironman and People's Triathlon Last Weekend
While some swimmers were sunning themselves during the Sand to Surf swim at Mount Maunganui or swimming across from Rangitoto Island to St Heliers, there was a bunch of other stuff going on - the Auckland Half Ironman (aka 70.3) and the Panasonic People's Triathlon out at Maraetai.

Thanks Nicole Youman for sending in a report and photos's which, because I am sneaky I am just changing by about 5 words to make it like I wrote it myself - ssshhhh. Don't tell anyone.

Alex Viljoen and Nicole completed the Auckland Half Ironman - 2km swim, 90km bike and 21 km run. It is said to be one of the toughest courses you can do and started well with the worst swimming conditions in 12 years, but nothing Kohi swims had not prepared these two hardy souls for. If you have any qualms about being able to cope with the swim leg of a multisport, just get yourself to Kohi on Thursday evenings, it will prepare you for anything.

This was the first half ironman either of them had done and both finished well before the cut off time with smiles on their faces. They wish to thank their support crew who spent the whole day out on the course keeping them going.

Ally raised $1440.00 (wow!) for So They Can which is an organisation that she volunteers for once a week that works with communities in Africa to educate and empower so they can break the poverty cycle, realise their own potential and meet their own needs. 

There were a number of South City crew competing at the Maraetai Peoples Triathlon. Jeannie, Chrissie, Barend and Martin were definitely spotted but there would have been others also. Congratulations to Jeannie who placed in the top 3. Well done Jeannie. 

Full results for the Peoples Tri can be found on the web site (link below):

http://www.peoplestri.co.nz/results.html

Sand to Surf, National Long Course

Sand to Surf
Mt Maunganui turned on a gorgeous day for the State Sand to Surf, or was that State Sand to Calm Water because there wasn't really any surf to speak of. The lack of surf resulted in quick times with everyone doing well and it appeared that it was 'ladies day' for the club with all club podium finishes going to the women this time around. I'm sure the men will do something about that at King of the Bays in a month's time. Here are the results:
Dawn Walker: 1st in age in the 1000m
Liz Hayes: 2nd in age in the 2.6km
Avy Judelson: 2nd in age in the 2.6km
Deryn McGregor: 3rd in age in the 2.6km

Some age groups are already wrapped up for the season, including the women's 45-49 age group which has our very own Liz at the top! Woop!

Here's a few pics.

Nationals
These are only a few days away now so just a little reminder about spot prizes and any baking or food you can do to help out.

Race Night Results, Taper Sessions

Race Night and Swimmer of the Month
It was a bumper night on Wednesday with a high turnout of swimmers to race, presumably the imminent Nationals tempted more than the usual suspects to hone their race skills. Times were fast too - no less than 19 records fell. That's a record of records!

Swimmer of the Month went to Ivo Pabruwe for his wonderful medal winning performances in the recent Masters Games from which he arrived home with a veritable suitcase of medals. His resistance training from now on will simply involve carrying his medals around. Well done Ivo.

Taper Sessions
With the National Long Course Championships now less than 3 weeks away Monday's session will be focusing on speed. There will also be taper sessions on offer for the final week for those swimmers who have very specific goals for the meet and want to fine-tune their speed.

The tapering will be in lane 7 (which will not be available to other club members at the time) and will be on:
Sunday 22 March
Monday 23 March
Wednesday 25 March

Although tapering is open to anyone who wishes to take part it should be emphasized that tapering is for swimmers with specific goals and needs to be done on a solid foundation of endurance training as well as some speed work.

Your help needed!!!! AGM date set

Call to Action – National Long Course Championships

To all club members – a reminder regarding the National Long Course Championships.  As discussed over recent weeks, the success of the National Long Course Championships event relies heavily on volunteer support to help with preparations for the event before it takes place, and more importantly on the day itself.  By now you should all have been given a details sheet at training, detailing the types of help the event requires.  It also details spot prize information.

There is an expectation of all members that if you are not competing in the event, that you will be able to be a volunteer on the day.  With your help we will make the event a huge success.

If you haven’t yet committed yourselves, please endeavour to complete the form and give it to any of the SCM committee members as soon as possible (deadline Saturday 14^th March.)

AGM date and time announced

This annual (coz that's how often an AGM occurs) event will be at 6.30pm on Wednesday 18th March. This is prior to swimming and will be poolside or in the cafeteria. Swimming is FREE that night so you cannot be too skint to come along. Make sure you have your say. You can pick up nominations poolside or by asking Fiona (G that is, L might give you a confused look if you ask her for one). It's also OK to nominate verbally on the night, I know this to be true. So don't be shy, get involved so be there.

Race night

It's race night this coming Wednesday, whatever date that is, 4th March I think. If you want to be sure about the date, check your own calendar, I'm not your Mum OK. Anyhoo - here is the programme:

25 Br or Free
50 Free
100 Back
100 IM or Free
Relays