Queenslanders Max Neumann and Kelly-Ann Perkins were crowned National Sprint Champions at the Gold Coast Triathlon Luke Harrop Memorial this morning, although Irishman Constantine Doherty took line honours in the men’s race and New South Wales young gun Lorcan Redmond third place in the men’s field.

Brisbane’s Joanne Miller was second to Perkins in a race that went down to the wire with New Zealand’s Hannah Knighton rounding out the podium.

Conditions couldn’t have been more ideal for this morning’s Gold Coast Triathlon – Luke Harrop Memorial race down on the Broadwater. The water was calm and clear with barely any clouds in the sky – in stark contrast from the last two weeks of rain.

A massive field of 70 plus elite men lined up for the early start of 6:15am, the sun rising over the water and the explosion of competitors into the sparkling seaway for their 750 metre swim. The first two groups of about 20 men came out of the water and into T1 for the 20km, three-lap bike leg and they stayed in the tight packs the whole race. A crash mid course interrupted a few competitors and there were a couple of DNFs on the bike leg.  The transition into the 5km, two-lap run was smooth with light wind meaning perfect racing conditions. 

It was the luck of Irishman Constantine Doherty who had the legs for an extremely rapid, strong finish to take the win (with a time of 52:34) followed closely by Australians Max Neumann for second and Lorcan Redmond in third.

Queenslander Neumann’s confidence was high coming off the back of winning the open category at Mooloolaba Triathlon a few weeks ago. His second placing today behind the Irish competitor saw him take out the Australian Championships.
 
“It was an early start so I didn’t have too much time to think about the race. 70 people going to one buoy 50 metres away was extremely rough but once we got out on the bike it calmed down and I finished off with a nice run along the Broadwater and I finished up second overall so I was pretty happy.”
 
“It’s been a good couple of weeks and I couldn’t be happier with how it is all going. I’ve got another race next weekend in Moreton Bay so I hope to keep the ball rolling,” said the 23 year old.

The elite women’s OTU Continental Cup and Australian Championships was just as hotly contested with 

Danielle De Francesco (QLD) leading out of the swim as expected but had locals Kelly-Ann Perkins and Zoe Leahy breathing down her neck.

In a similar fashion to the men, the women held two tight front packs in the cycle leg with about 20 together the whole ride. Joanne Miller (AUS) was flawless in her transition off the bike to the run and showed incredible pace, reminiscent of her success at Devonport Triathlon last month. However, Miller couldn’t quite hold onto the pace in the final moments of the race, with an eventual ten second gap between her and winner Kelly-Ann Perkins with a time of 58:53. An amazing feat for Perkins since her leg break two years ago.

“I was in the top ten in Mooloolaba (8th) and 11th at New Plymouth so to get the Australian title here is another good result that I’m happy with,” said Perkins.

“I had a fairly good race, came out towards the front of the swim, the group came together on the bike so it was always going to come down to a run race at the finish. I just tried to build my way through the run and hopefully had a kick there at the end.”

“I ran with Jo (Joanne Miller) most of the way and was able to pull away in the final 500m and crossed the line first.

"I’m happy with how my season has kicked off, I’ve had three years out of racing so this is my first real year getting back in to the scene.”

Perkins will join Neumann again at Moreton Bay next weekend and aim to continue her form.

2019 Gold Coast OTU Sprint Triathlon Oceania Cup

Women

Men