High flyers dominate endurance series

Triathletes head out of the transition area for a cycling leg in the ADF triathlon championships at Penrith. Air Force Athletes dominated the competion filling many of the top places in all categories, including a new ADF endurance champion in Corporal Geoff Hanckel. Photo by Bill Cunneen

THEY dominated the ADF triathlon events at Penrith and produced a new endurance champion to boot.

Air Force competitors from around the country turned in outstanding results in the ASTA’s Criterium, cycling road race and Triathlon, which were held at Penrith between February 27 and March 1.

The events, coupled with the 10km road race championships at Holsworthy (see story page 23) determined the ADF’s Endurance Champion for the year.

Thirty ADF riders turned out for the 60km Road Race championships on a warm but comfortable February 27.

Ninety-four minutes later Corporal Damien Enderby, of RAAF Base Williamtown, and Flight Lieutenant Chris Loynes, of RAAF Base Fairbairn, took the honours in first and second. Flight Lieutenant Grant Everett (RAAF Richmond), Corporal Geoff Hanckel (RAAF Wagga) and Warrant Officer Terry Withers (RAAF Williamtown) were equal third.

Fourth place went to Flight Sergeant Mike Truscott (RAAF Wagga), with Corporal Simon Donovan (AFHQ) and Flight Sergeant Eddie O’Farell (RAAF Williams-Laverton) in fifth and sixth places respectively.

Equal seventh was shared between five riders, including Flight Lieutenant Chris Fox (RAAF Amberley), Sergeant Peter Miller (RAAF Townsville) and Squadron Leader Judy Scott (ADFHQ).

SQNLDR Scott was also the first woman home.

The Criterium was run over 40 minutes plus three laps later that day. Despite some difficulty with a headwind, FLTLTs Everett and Loynes headed the 20-cyclist pack to cross the line first and second, a mere second separating them.

Just three seconds behind was CPL Donovan in fourth, followed within the next three seconds by CPL Hanckel in sixth and WOFF Withers and CPL Enderby in equal seventh.

FSGT O’Farrell and Squadron Leader Richard Haines (RAAF Williamtown) fronted for the start but were unable to finish.

With the cycling and Holsworthy 10km Road Race out of the way, attention focused on the Long and Short Olympic Triathlons held at Penrith on March 1.

In the short course (500m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run), CPL Enderby demolished the 30-athlete field as he crossed the line in just 59 minutes. He also took out the Males 25 to 29 category with his performance.
In the long course (1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run), CPL Hanckel also seized the laurel as ADF Endurance Champion with a double – first overall and first in the Males 30 to 34 – in four minutes under two hours.

More Air Force results

In the short course event Flight Lieutenant Simon Resch (RAAF Williamtown) was 14th overall, third Males 35 to 39; Flight Lieutenant Mark Camilleri (Moorebank) was 16th overall, fourth Males 25 to 29; Leading Aircraftman Andrew Chilcott (RAAF Richmond) was 20th overall, third Males 24 and under; Flight Sergeant David Henry (RAAF Richmond) was 21st overall, first Males 40 to 44; Sergeant Craig Hardwicke (RAAF Richmond) was 23rd overall, first Males 45 plus; Sergeant Rolf Just, (RAAF Williamtown) was 24th overall, fourth Males 35 to 39; and Flight Sergeant Adrian Richardson (RAAF Williamtown) was 28th overall, sixth Males 35 to 39.

In the long course, Air Force’s Flaming Gerbils Team finished third and also clinched first in the All Male Team category, while Warrant Officer Terry Withers finished fifth overall and first in the Males 35 to 39.

A sterling effort was mounted by the Richmond Bombers, who achieved a creditable 10th overall and were first in the Team Age over 105 Category.

First in the female category went to Sergeant Nicolle Sundstrom (RAAF Williamtown), 23rd overall, followed in second and 16th overall by Corporal Julia Morris-finlay (RAAF Richmond).

Other placegetters were Sergeant Craig Ewen-Crawford (RAAF Richmond), seventh overall, first Males 30 to 34; Corporal Mark Guilfoyle (RAAF Amberley), ninth overall, second Males 35 to 39; Sergeant John Caples (RAAF Williamtown), 15th overall, third Males 40 to 44; the Beatles, 17th overall, fourth all male team; and SQNLDR David Coysh (RAAF Richmond), 17th overall and first in the Males 45 plus.

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