The New Zealand team has been competing at the 2022 World Triathlon Multisport Championships in Samorin, Slovakia over the last week across aquathlon, aquabike and long-distance triathlon races. This has been an event much anticipated as the Covid pandemic prevented many Kiwi athletes from travelling to the World Championship events over the last two years. The event celebration started with the Parade of Nations where flagbearer Dave Scott proudly waved the flag in front of a small, but very competitive, New Zealand team. The World Triathlon Aquathlon Championships were held first and the team performed very well in extremely hot conditions:
World Triathlon Aquathlon Championships
6th – Heather Neill 25-29
12th – Rebecca Swainson 25-29
15th – Alex Bees 30-34
2nd – Matt Kerr 30-34
8th – Kevin Hunt 60-64
4th – Dave Scott 60-64
The PTO Collins Cup also took place over the weekend, with both Braden Currie and Hayden Wilde representing Team International, and provided amazing inspiration to the Age Groupers taking to the course the next day. And wow the NZ team when above and beyond with 6 medals from only a team of 11 competing! Congratulations to all who took part, what a phenomenal achievement. A huge thanks to Mel Saltiel (Tri NZ Community Manager) for organising this effort and putting in so much work behind the scenes, and in her words she is “super proud of our small team, doing NZ proud”.
Long Course Aquabike
2nd – Jono Gray (45-49)
2nd – Bexx Swainson (25-29)
Long Course Triathlon
1st – Matt Kerr* (30-34)
6th – Rebecca Clarke (elite)
2nd – Adam Hillis (20-24)
3rd – Harry Lloyd (20-24)
1st – Heather Neill** (25-29)
12th – Alex Bees (30-34)
8th – Kevin Hunt (60-64)
8th – Mark Esselink (55-59)
6th – Dave Scott (60-64)
*2nd overall
** 2nd overall
