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It’s all on the day
Thursday, October 18, 2012 • staff reporters
BEFORE you ask Stephen Sheldrake for his predictions for the ITU world age group triathlon championships in Auckland on Monday, put a dart in his hand and line him up in front of a board with a list of competitors tacked to it.

Predictions are a dangerous game in a sport where the cliche “on the day” has significantly greater meaning.

Sheldrake is one of seven Gisborne triathletes competing in the world age group champs on Auckland’s waterfront — the last event of a festival of triathlon headed by the World Triathlon Grand Final for elite men and women over the weekend.

The 39-year-old will line up in the 35-39 years division after two “full-on days” of looking after the New Zealand under-19 and u23 elite athletes.

“I’m at the world champs first and foremost as coach of the NZ age-group elite teams and secondly as a competitor,” said former ironman professional Sheldrake, who won the 30-34 world age group triathlon title at Hamburg in 2007.

“It’s not the ideal preparation but I am in far better shape for this race than I was when I qualified last year.

“I’ve been lucky to have been away at Tahiti and Noosa with the elite teams recently, so got to put in some training with them, plus racing with Gisborne Cycling Club keeps me in good shape.

‘“I’ll be racing to win on Monday. I’m not saying I will win but I’m definitely going out with that intention.”

Sheldrake is among three Gisborne competitors in the Olympic distance race — 1500 swim, 40km cycle and 10km run.

“Trish McBreen (45-49yrs) and Nan Baker (35-39yrs) are competing at the Olympic distance for the first time and it’s hard to say how they will do, and it’s the same for me,” said Sheldrake.

“We don’t know who is coming from overseas and with so many competitors — about 1500 on the course at one time — it’s hard to judge where you are in the race until the finish.

“I want to win the swim then let no one pass me . . . then I’ll know I have won.”

Baker and McBreen should fly the Gisborne flag proudly. Both are powerful cyclists while Baker has shown she can comfortably foot it at this level — she was eighth in her age group at the long distance triathlon world champs in Nevada last year.

Shane Clapperton (45-49yrs men), wife Jackie (40-44yrs women), her son Tayler Reid (16-19yrs men) and Grace McConnochie (16-19yrs women) are competing in the sprint race — a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run.

Reid is a hugely promising triathlete who will be one of if not the youngest in his field. He turned 16 earlier this month.

McConnochie has made her mark as a fine distance runner before giving triathlon a go.

Shane Clapperton has been a prominent figure on the multisport scene for many years while Jackie is a former age group trampoline world champion and successful surf lifesaver.

Sheldrake said the Auckland course would suit New Zealand athletes.

“Traditionally Kiwis do better when the course is tough and has hills. There are at least three or four decent hills on each lap.
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