Matt Molloy (Bike & Run) produced a solid all round performance to win the Swashbuckler Triathlon. Malloy finished 3 minutes ahead of Lee Piercy (TBAS) and nearly 9 minutes clear of third place Rob Brundish (Tri London). Held in the historic village of Bucklers Hard in the New Forest, the 18th century boatyard provided some of the ships for Nelsons navy and the Battle of Trafalgar. Heavy rain during the night had thankfully eased before the 05.15 swim start. The swim is in the lower reaches of
the Beaulieu river and the early start was necessary to avoid the stronger tidal currents. London-Based Molloy was wide awake however and had built a lead of 1.50 over Mark Westlake (Mccheesefour) by the end of the 1.2mile swim.
Local man Will Newbury (Primera-TBUK) was next out of the chilly water, a further minute down followed by the chasing pack that included Piercy & Brundish. They would chase in vain however, as once out on the rolling bike course across the New Forest, Molloy started to increase his lead. By now the sun was up but a cold wind blew across the exposed heathland, a wind that would test the resolve of the back markers.
Coming into T2, Molloy had a lead of some 5 minutes over Piercy, who had ridden strongly into 2nd place. Dave Woodgate (Team Endurance) had also put in a good effort on the bike and started the 14 mile run in 3rd spot. With a swim split of 27.50 and bike split of 2.02.08, Molloy had laid the foundations for a superb win. Piercy produced the fastest run of the day, his 1.26.16 consolidating second place. Brundish also had a storming run to overtake Woodgate and claim 3rd.
Tracy Cook (Primera-TBUK) was even more dominant in the ladies race. The world 35-39 age group champion led from start to finish. Cook was able to ease back on the run after building a lead of 10 minutes over Gill Fullen (Bedford Harriers) with Karen Axelsdottir (Optima Racing Team) a further 5 minutes back.
Result
1, Matt Molloy (Bike & Run) 27.50 2.02.08 1.28.45 3.58.44
2, Lee Piercy (TBAS) 31.05 2.04.28 1.26.16 4.01.49
3, Rob Brundish (Tri London) 31.20 2.9.10 1.26.31 4.07.02
Ladies.
1, Tracy Cook (Primera-TBUK) 33.04 2.16.04 1.41.06 4.30.14
2, Gill Fullen (Bedford Tri) 38.39 2.24.58 1.36.47 4.40.24
3, Karen Axelsdottir (Optima Racing) 34.34 2.17.04 1.54.00 4.45.48
What They Said:
Matt Molloy
“It was beautiful; I was dreading the start with the rain and cold and i did not know what to expect. I am a strong swimmer and my bike is strong I knew Lee was a strong runner, so if I was to have any chance of winning I had to put time into him on the swim & bike. I think I did that. I was running scared all the way through. It was hard work, every time I heard a breath I though it was Lee. It was only with 2 miles to go that I could relax. The conditions were good for racing fast, not too hot, the current was reasonably strong but that’s my strength. This is my main preparation for Ironman Austria so it’s a good confidence boost ahead of that. I am looking to go to Kona and my coach thinks I can qualify. Its my first one so i am not chasing a time, i am going to race it on feel. I am riding a 100 mile Time Trial next weekend, time trialling has bought my biking on no end, its a quality training session.
Lee Piercy.
“Actually I am really pleased; I have been suffering with a bad back and have struggled with my bike position. I was actually on a borrowed bike today that was too small for me, so I have to be happy with 2nd. I felt good on the second lap of the run and really pushed it. I was up till past midnight trying to sort my bike out so i only had about 2 hours sleep. Matt was very strong though and deserved to win. (Piercy is also racing Ironman Austria)
Tracy Cook
“It was amazing, the swim was not as tough as people said it would be, I did not kill myself in the swim, I felt really good on the bike, my shoulder is sore and I put that down to the rough road surfaces but I felt good. This time last year i was really poorly, i had anemia and came 10th, i was absolutely gutted. I have been persuaded to enter the world long course championships later this year. I am a teacher and my headmaster has given me some time off to train”
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