Simon Dawson Photography
By Kent Gray/Triathlon.kiwi
If you needed further evidence of why Boston University have swooped on Hannah Prosser, kindly refer to Saturday’s Oceania Junior Triathlon Championship in Taupo.
The Wanaka speedster captured the continental title by nearly a minute from Rhianna Hepburn with fellow Aussie Gabriella Jackson third ahead of Sophie Spencer, the second Kiwi home.
Prosser won the 750m swim, 19.5km bike, 5km run in 1:03:45, a time that would have nearly cracked the top 10 in the elite women’s race later on Saturday.
But the real split of significance was Prosser’s 18:52 5km – 1min 12s faster than Hepburn – and showed where the title was won and lost. It’s little wonder, then, that BU have her locked into a track and cross-country scholarship.
“I was a bit further back in the swim [10:02 for the 750m] than I would have liked so worked with a bunch of girls to catch the front four,” Prosser said, taking up the story of her race.
“Nearly got caught in that wee crash round the corner there [near the start/finish area] and then just had to work hard to keep up with the leading girls. Then I just ran as hard as I could.
“This is my first World Triathlon event so it feels really good to be racing here with all the other amazing girls.”
Bradley Course underscored his favouritism for the Boys’ title, leading home an all-Australian top four including Thomas Feldmann, Jack Crome and Brayden Mercer. Cantabrian Ben Airey was the leading Kiwi in 5th ahead of Finnley Oliver and Coen Andersen.
Course, fifth in the elite Oceania Cup race in Wanaka last weekend, won the junior title in 57:08.
