SNAP AUSTRALIAN HALF IRONMAN SERIES POINTS CHAMPIONSHIP POISED FOR SOME DRAMATIC FINISHES – TROPHIES TO BE AWARDED AT IRONMAN 70.3 CEREMONY

The Geelong race has gone well beyond all expectations with the biggest field yet for a series race and it is this race which will determine who will emerge as Champions and where the Series Points Champion rules really come into play. The rules will affect a number of contenders particularly the key rule which requires the completion of 2 Series races to be eligible for the Champion crown. Equally affecting the results will be the 1.5 points applying to the Geelong race.

Although there are clear 1st, 2nd and 3rd placing currently showing on the points tally what is really unknown is the people running 4th through to probably 10th who could emerge and take out the crown with those additional 1.5 points on offer if they are racing the Snap Ironman 70.3 Geelong event and the current placegetters are not. And this is the case in several age divisions.

The current leaders are:

To highlight a few of the more interesting divisions we look to:

• Male 18-24 yrs where Chris Jensen is leading by a point and he and his rivals in 2nd and 3rd are all racing in Geelong
• Male 30-34 yrs David Bertovic is running 3rd on equal points but he is racing Geelong and his 2 rivals ahead of him are not so he must win-unless there are others below 3rd who can also pop up by gaining valuable points at Geelong
• Then there is the Women’s 40-44 yrs with 2nd placing going forward at Geelong and 1st and 3rd are not
• None of the top 3 in the female 50-54 age group are racing Geelong so will there be a dark horse on less than 183 points?
• Miriam Nielson in the 55-59 yr females is running 2nd looks a certainty to pip Anne Grundy for the Championship crown in that division
• With only Griff Weste in the 60-64 males racing and having completed his 2nd and now 3rd race in the Series with Geelong he will be the sole winner as the others have only finished one Half Ironman race in the Series and are thus ruled out of contention.
• Brian Lynch in the 70 + men looks set to become Champion at that ripe young age as he will complete his 2 races with Geelong under his belt and take over from 3rd to win with Keith Pearce and Phil Scott not opting for the Ironman 70.3 hit out
• And finally what a race it will be to find the Pro Champs. The lead men have all raced multiple events with Peter Loveridge and John Cornish really supporting the Series with 5 under their belts and making Geelong their 6th Series race. Lisa Marangon leads the female pros and what a tussle Geelong could be with Amelia Pearson only a point behind and Elly Franks only 2 points down in third but opting out of the main event to take a teams position

The Age Group Overall Points Champion will win 5 nights accommodation in a one bedroom garden view apartment (for 2 people) at Noosa North Shore Resort donated by Tri Travel (value $1,600)

SNAP AUSTRALIAN HALF IRONMAN SERIES – CHAMPION CLUB

And let’s not forget our separate Points Championship being run in conjunction – the Snap Half Ironman Series Champion Club. Every competitor who has finished a Half Ironman Series race and who is a member of a recognised Club and who included his/her Club name when entering a Series race has earned points to add to their Club’s tally. In recognising the value and importance of Clubs to the sport and to encourage Club membership and participation we have established this Championship for the first time this season. The Champion Club will receive a special trophy and also a free entry to the 2009 Ironman Australia Triathlon at Port Macquarie to be used at the Club’s discretion (eg auction, allocation to a deserving member etc) subject to the usual Ironman entry conditions.

So the leading Club as we head to Geelong is the Port Macquarie Triathlon Club with 5627 points. This Club is well clear of the Sydney BRATS Club on 5256 points with North Coast (WA) Tri Club) third on 4607 and close behind in 4 th place the popular East Coast Cycos (Qld) on 4467 points. Bringing up the 5 th spot is Tribal (Vic) on 4414 points.

So will Tribal have enough members racing to add to their tally and take out the Championship with the advantage of the home State?

Good luck to all and see you at the finish line at Eastern Beach Geelong.