Tri time at Williamtown

Swimmers enter the water for the first leg of the RAAF Williamtown Triathlon.

A member of the HMAS Watson mixed team exiting the water from the swim leg. Photos by LACW Veronica McKenna.

By SQNLDR David Coysh

The New South Wales Services Triathlon Championship was held at Port Stephens on March 21.

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. The short course was 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 FLTLT Tina Willmett from 22 Squadron at RAAF Richmond took out the ADF female section for the second year in succession.

SGT Mark Davis from the School of Military Engineering, Steele Barracks, Moorebank was second ADF male home with CPL Sean Bell from 77 Squadron, RAAF Williamtown 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, Private Wayne Eliot, Holsworthy;
• 30-34, SGT Peter MacKlin, RAAF Williamtown;
• 35-39, Squadron Leader Dick Haines, RAAF Williamtown;
• 40-44, SGT John Caples, RAAF Williamtown;
• 45+ Captain Barry Hopkins, 236 RCU.

Mr Carl Leonard, from the RAAF Williamtown Multi-Sports Endurance
Club was first home, winning the civilian category. Mr Chris Schafferius was the second civilian and Mr John Gilbert, long time event organiser and past president of ASTA, third.

The short course was dominated by the Army with Private Daniel Caraghin from 41 RNSWR winning the ADF mens and Captain Gaye-Maree Schurmann from the School of Military Engineering, Moorebank winning the ADF womens.

CPL Glenn Folkard from 4RAR (CDO) was second home with FLTLT Jerry Parkin from the GTE SPO 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 GPCAPT 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 team.

Winners of the short course age group categories were:

• 35-39, FLTLT Simon Resch, RAAF Williamtown and
• 40-44, SGT Steve Westcott, RAAF Williamtown.

Mr Damien Welbourne was first civilian home on the short course. Julie Gunther was first civilian female with Margaret Renehan second.

The race is conducted from Salamander Shores Hotel at Wanda Beach, undoubtedly one of the best triathlon sites in Australia.

.