Army - The Soldiers' Newspaper

Army and RAAF head to head at Williamtown

By Sqn-Ldr David Coysh

THE NSW Services Triathlon Championship was held at Port Stephens late last month.

The event, endorsed by the Australian Services Triathlon Association (ASTA) and conducted as the RAAF Williamtown Triathlon, attracted a quality field although numbers were down on previous years.

Two events were run simultaneously, a long course consisting of a 1km swim, 30km cycle and 10km run, with the short course being half these distances.

The long course was an all Air Force affair with WOFF Terry Withers from SACTU at RAAF Williamtown winning the ADF male section, while Flt-Lt Tina Willmett from RAAF Richmond took out the ADF female section for the second year in succession.
Sgt Mark Davis, School of Military Engineering (SME), was the second ADF male home with Cpl Sean Bell from 77 Sqn third. The first team home was ‘One Old Fart’ from Tactical Fighter Systems Program Office in the 105 years+ category who were followed by ‘76 Blackhanders’, also from RAAF Williamtown.

Winners of the long course age group categories were:

20-24 – Pte Wayne Eliot, Holsworthy.

30-34 – Sgt Peter MacKlin, RAAF Williamtown.

35-39 – Sqn-Ldr Dick Haines, RAAF Williamtown.

40-44 – Sgt John Caples, RAAF Williamtown.

45+ – Capt Barry Hopkins, 236 RCU.

The short course was dominated by the Army with Pte Daniel Caraghin from 41RNSWR winning the ADF mens and Capt Gaye-Maree Schurmann, SME, winning the ADF women’s competition. Cpl Glenn Folkard from 4RAR(Cdo) was second home with Flt-Lt Jerry Parkin from RAAF Williamtown third.

Once again a team in the 105 years+ category was the first team home. The team ‘Ralph and RickO’ (LCdr Dennis Illyes and Gp-Capt Rick Owen) placed fourth overall.

‘Tribute’ won the all male team category, ‘HMAS Watson’ the mixed category and ‘Tristars’ from RAAF Williamtown the all female winners.

Winners of the short course age group categories were:

35-39 – Flt-Lt Simon Resch, RAAF Williamtown.

40-44 – Sgt Steve Westcott, RAAF Williamtown.

Local sponsors include Salamander Shores, Stead Cycles and Spocks Spokes, while the event would not be possible without the ASTA sponsors of Tenix, Uncle Tobys, Defcredit, Frontline Defence Services, Hot Designs and the ADF Sports Council.