Cantabrian Lampe seals U16 girls title at home but remainder of Tri NZ Junior Series live leading into Napier

Sophie Lampe is interviewed by Canterbury broadcasting legend Brian Ashby after her win at Lake Rua on Sunday. Photos: Cat Quinn/CEQUIN

By Kent Gray/Triathlon.kiwi
Canterbury’s Sophie Lampe can rest easy over the festive season but the three other divisions in the 2024-25 Tri NZ Junior Series will go down to the wire in Napier in the New Year.

Lampe (St Andrew’s College) wrapped up the Youth (U16) girls title with victory at the penultimate round of the series held at the Pak ‘n Save Triathlon Festival in Christchurch on Sunday.

Tagged to her series opening win at Tinman last month, it gives the rising Canterbury Triathlon Club star the maximum 80 points and an unassailable lead in the U16 category from second equal Mia Collins (Auckland City Triathlon Club) and Aimee Free (Christchurch Girls’ High School) on 35 points.

Auckland-based Canterbury club-mate Neve McKenzie (St Kentigern College) also made it back-to-back Tinman and Pak ‘n Save wins to move to 80 points the Junior (U19) girls category heading into the series finale, incorporated in World Triathlon Cup Napier on February 23.

Second-placed Charlotte Chiles, 3^rd at Lake Rua on Sunday behind McKenzie and Gemma Sitjes (St Margaret’s College), still has a shout at the U19 title on 64 points. But Chiles would need McKenzie to be a no show in Napier or finish 8^th or worse, an unlikely outcome given McKenzie’s impeccable form thus far.

George Skinner (Fielding High School) took the lead in the Youth (U19) boys championship with second place in Christchurch behind Canterbury Tri Club’s Thomas Newsom (Cashmere High School).

Skinner now has 47 points and is seven clear of Tinman winner and series favourite Finnley OIiver (Triathlon Tauranga). The World Triathlon Junior Championships representative was absent in Christchurch but will be tough to beat in Napier.

The Youth (U16) title race is also tight with Jackson Pinique (St Peter’s College Auckland) in pole position on 67 points after his second place to Ben Lough (Burnside High School) on Sunday.

Pinique will take a 13 point buffer into Napier over Luca Dohnt (Tauranga Boys College) with Lough and Manawatu Triathlon Club’s Filip Martin tied third on 40 points.

The series finale in Napier has been tagged to a just announced Tri NZ Junior Development Camp to be held at Mitre 10 Park Hawke’s Bay from February 18-22.

The camp, initially open on to 28 athletes aged 14 to 19 on ‘first come first served’ basis, will focus will be on skill acquisition, team building and include a super sprint race on closed roads around Mitre 10 Park Hawke’s Bay in Hastings on Friday the 21^st.

The $400 entry fee includes accommodation at the Sports Lodge attached to the park, access at the pool, athletics track and gym, and is fully catered.

Athletes can claim their spot at the camp by emailing Triathlon NZ Junior Development Lead Chris Willett at development@triathlon.kiwi. Enter ‘Napier Junior Camp’ in the subject field and state the name, age, home location and coach (if applicable) of the athlete, plus contact details of a parent or guardian.

Post-registration a full planning document will be released to cover off main logistics/ equipment/dietary requirements etc.

Athletes are also encouraged to enter the final Tri NZ Junior Series race on Sunday, February 23 here at the same time.

The Pak ‘n Save Triathlon Festival, meanwhile, also doubled as the Canterbury Secondary Schools Triathlon Championships. Many of the medallists listed below are expected to compete at the Pacific Radiology New Zealand Schools Triathlon Championship at Glendhu Bay, near Wanaka, on March 27-28.

Canterbury Secondary Schools Triathlon Championships

Junior Male (U19)