GALLERY | Olympic hopefuls on the track in Port Douglas

GALLERY

Karlie Brady

Journalist

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The leaders of the pack during the bike leg of the 2021 Oceania Standard Distance Championship in Port Douglas. Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.

Australia and New Zealand’s top triathletes raced off in the 2021 Oceania Standard Distance Championship on Saturday in Port Douglas.

It was the final opportunity for racers to compete and gain crucial points for their countries before Olympic selections.

Competitors were put to the test along some of Port Douglas’ iconic locations, swimming off Four Mile Beach, riding along Port Douglas Road and running up Macrossan Street in a tight competition.

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Queenslander Luke Willian finished on top of the podium in the Men’s Elite race with a time of 1:39:59, just beating fellow Aussie Matthew Hauser and New Zealander Tayler Reid in third.

There were three Aussies on the podium in the Women’s Elite race with Jaz Hedgeland crossing the line first with a time of 01:50:58. She was closely followed by Kelly-Ann Perkins and Kira Hedgeland seconds behind.The Olympic selections will be announced later this month.

Meanwhile Port Douglas isn’t done with elite sport yet with the triathletes set to hit the course once again in the 2021 Oceania Sprint Cup on Saturday 26 June from 8:00am.

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Matthew Hauser leading the cycle leg with eventual winner with eventual winner Luke Willian perfectly tucked behind him in the "1-1 sit". Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.

Top 10 results

Men’s Elite

  1. Luke Willian (AUS) - 01:39:59
  2. Matthew Hauser (AUS) - 01:40:00
  3. Tayler Reid (NZL) - 01:40:13
  4. Brandon Copeland (AUS) - 01:40:15
  5. Luke Bate (AUS) - 01:40:43
  6. Luke Schofield (AUS) - 01:41:16
  7. Kurt Wesley (AUS) - 01:41:34
  8. Joshua Ferris (AUS) - 01:41:41
  9. Trent Thorpe (NZL) - 01:41:51
  10. Oscar Dart (AUS) - 01:41:57


Women’s Elite

  1. Jaz Hedgeland (AUS) -01:50:58
  2. Kelly-Ann Perkins (AUS) - 01:51:14
  3. Kira Hedgeland (AUS) - 01:51:38
  4. Ainsley Thorpe (NZL) - 01:51:45
  5. Nicole Van Der Kaay (NZL) - 01:52:44
  6. Lotte Wilms (NED) - 01:54:59
  7. Charlotte McShane (AUS) - 01:57:37
  8. Matilda Offord (AUS) - 01:58:30
  9. Ellie Hoitink (AUS) - 01:58:57
  10. Brittany Dutton (AUS) - 02:01:40

GALLERY | Catch all the racing action below: 

Luke Willian crosses the finish line in first place 2021 Oceania Triathlon Championships and Cup Port Douglas. Image:© Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Competitors during the bicycle transition in Port Douglas. Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Sisters Jaz and Kirra Hedgeland "we're going". Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Athlete Brandon Copeland congratulating Kirra Hedgeland. Image:© Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Trans Tasman battle Ainslety Thorpe NZ vs Jaz Hedgeland AUS at the bike to run transition. © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Jaz Hedgeland AUS. Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Lotte Wilms (Nederlands) feeling the heat in the final lap of the womens run leg. Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Water to Bike Transition at Four Mile Beach 2021 Oceania Triathlon Championships and Cup Port Douglas. Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Kirra Hedgeland AUS. Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
The crowd welcomes Ainsley Thorpe the first New Zealander home in the women’s section. Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Lotte Wilms (Nederlands) approaching the finish line with a strong finish
Tayler Reid NZ. Image:© Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Emma Jeffcoat looking relaxed leading the womens bike leg. Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
David Martin (CZE) transition water to bike. © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021
Kye Wylde. Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Callum McKluskey AUS. Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Youngest male rider in the race Australian Joshua Ferris. Image:© Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Trent Thorpe NZ. Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Tayler Reid (NZ) 1st New Zealander over the line 3rd place overall Taking Water
Matthew Hauser AUS. Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Tayler Reid NZ. Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Tayler Reid (NZ) 1st New Zealander over the line 3rd place overall. Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.
Nicole Van Der Kaay NZ Image: © Geoff McLean - Gone Riding Media 2021.

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