Posted: July 26, 2004

Triathlon: Gloria Jeans Coffees 2004 NT Long Course Triathlon Championships Title Moves Interstate

Gloria Jean’s Coffees 2004 NT Long Course Triathlon Championships (2Km Swim / 60Km Cycle / 16Km Run)

The second race in the Ironman Australia Qualifying Series, the Gloria Jean’s Coffees NT Long Course Triathlon Championships saw some great racing under cloudy conditions on the weekend. The leaders finishing before the sun broke through and made conditions tough for the remaining competitors out on the run course.

The morning’s cooler conditions allowed the water temperature to drop making for a wetsuit optional swim. Unusual for this area, it made the interstaters happy as they did not have to contend with the normal dry season conditions. The event was raced over the distance of a 2km swim, 60km cycle and 16km run over a tough and hilly course inhabited by much of Australia’s unique fauna and flora.

The Gloria Jean’s Coffees 2004 NT Long Course Triathlon Championships, was held in the quieter surrounds of the Lake Bennett Wilderness Resort and offered 10 qualifying spots for the 2005 Snap Ironman Australia event, which will be raced for the 20th time in Forster-Tuncurry on April 3, 2005. Over 5000 athletes are expected to try and qualify via the series for an elusive spot to Australia's biggest triathlon event in Forster.

The early morning tranquility of Lake Bennett was disturbed as athletes from all states and territories except Tasmania were represented in the field. In a polished performance, South Australian Matt Stephens made light of the tough 60km cycle course to lead from start to finish and take the winner's trophy in 2 hrs 59 mins 12 secs. Stephens', a professional triathlete, used this 2km swim, 60km cycle, 16km run event as a hit out for next month's Ironman Korea Triathlon to be held at Soegwipo. Victorian pro, Darren Franken was next across the line in 3.02.17. First Territorian was Darwin's Tim Ellison (3.05.17) who posted the best 16km run time (57.39) in a valiant effort to catch the leaders. Runner up in 2003, Victorian Scott Foreman was fourth across the line in 3.06.53.

Female Champion, Caroline Cooksley from Cairns, Qld put in a powerhouse performance to be outright fifth place in 3.11.25 ahead of South Australian Danielle Stephens (3.35.23) and Queensland’s Kate Perkins (3.46.24). Perkins' performance was notable as she was competing in her first ever triathlon and suffered on the run in the hot conditions. Mel Curry was Northern Territory's first female across the line and finished comfortably in 3.50.03 proving her training is on track for her target Half Ironman race at the Gold Coast later this year.

The Road to Ironman Australia Series is now off to the Rydges Capricorn Resort in Yeppoon, Qld on August 15th. A points system is in place for each event, which culminates with a series winner from each age category being announced at the carbo party of the Snap Ironman Australia held on April 1, two days before the race.

Male:
1. Matt Stephens (SA) 2.59.12
2. Darren Franken (VIC) 3.02.17
3. Tim Ellison (NT) 3.05.39
4. Scott Foreman (VIC) 3.06.53
5. Richard Armstrong (QLD) 3.13.22

Female:
1. Caroline Cooksley (QLD) 3.11.25
2. Danielle Stephens (SA) 3.32.27
3. Kate Perkins (QLD) 3.46.24
4. Melissa Curry (NT) 3.50.03

For more information on the GLORIA JEAN’S COFFEES 2004 NT LONG COURSE TRIATHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS or full set of results, visit www.octa4.net.au/triathlonnt or call 08 8985 6883