Emma Moffatt upstaged her more celebrated training partner, Olympic champion Emma Snowsill, as the Australian pair blitzed the field in the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship race in Washington DC.

Moffatt executed a near-perfect race, emerging from the water in second place after the 1500-metre swim, settling well in the lead pack during the 40km ride and striding to the lead early in the 10km to assert her authority. Two US athletes, Sarah Haskins and Mary Beth Ellis, had ridden aggressively at the end of the bike leg to open up a 25-second lead, but Moffatt reeled them in over the first few kilometers of the run and powered on to win convincingly.

“It’s a nice little change,” Moffat said of reversing the tables on Snowsill to claim her third major ITU race victory. “It’s nice to come away with a win because it’s a bit of a surprise. The conditions were good – not too hot, a little windy, but it was a good day for racing.”

“I felt comfortable on the bike and I had a smooth transition from the bike to the run. I like to go out reasonably hard at the start of the run and fortunately that paid off today.”

It was a different story for Snowsill, who was battered in the swim and emerged in no man’s land in ninth place out of the water. She was initially forced to ride by herself before linking with a chase pack that included some quality riders. Together they worked well to haul in the seven pacesetters, which included Moffatt. It took Snowsill some time to find her rhythm on the run but the classy Queenslander steadily worked her way through the field to take silver, comfortably ahead of Daniella Ryf of Switzerland.

“My first couple of hundred metres were okay in the swim, but I got pretty beaten up after that and copped a couple of kicks, so I didn’t feel great out of the water,” Snowsill said.

“Riding alone for a while didn’t help because I burnt some energy, but I managed to get in a group and we worked together to make up some time. When I’m coming off a big block of training it takes me a while to work into the run and that was certainly the case today. Moffy flew out of the blocks and was gone that quickly no-one was going to catch her.

“It was a tough day, but that’s racing. You learn to deal with whatever’s thrown at you and you do your best to come back from it. ”

Annabel Luxford’s day was marred by misfortune, suffering a puncture when she was firmly entrenched in the lead bike pack over the closing stages. Erin Densham withdrew on the eve of the race due to sickness.

RESULTS:  DEXTRO ENERGY TRIATHLON – ITU WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Race 3 in Washington, DC, USA

1 .  Emma Moffatt ,  Australia

2.  Emma Snowsill , Australia

3. Daniella Ryf , Switzerland

4. Sarah Haskins,  USA

5.  Helen Jenkins,  GBR

6.  Andrea Hewitt , NZ

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Victorian Tigers men and Balmain Tigers women won their final preliminary-round matches yesterday to secure the National Water Polo League minor premierships.

Victorian Tigers fended off Brisbane Barracudas 14-8 to finish on 62 points, equal to KFC Queensland Breakers. However, The Tigers beat the Breakers by a goal in the second of their two clashes with the first a draw, meaning they won the Southern Cross Trophy on the first tie-break — the results between the pair.

Balmain Tigers women beat the fifth-ranked Cronulla Sharks 12-9 to finish three points clear of Fremantle Marlins and Brisbane Barracudas.

Cronulla Sharks v Balmain Tigers Women NWPL

Brisbane, who beat No 4 Victorian Tigers 17-7 at All Hallows School in Brisbane, had to settle for third spot per the tiebreak rule. Brisbane and Fremantle split their games in the rounds but Fremantle had a vastly superior goal differential

The heartbreak story of the day was Sydney University Lions’ 8-all draw with Drummoyne Devils.
If the Lions had won they would have grabbed the bottom qualifying spot for next week’s finals in Sydney but instead, the Devils will contest the finals in only their second year in the NWPL.

Cronulla Sharks v Balmain Tigers Women NWPL

UNSW Killer Whales said farewell to the league with the ninth-ranked team seeing off No 11 Hunter Hurricanes 9-5.
The No 3 Drummoyne Devils men, in their debut season, beat sixth-ranked Sydney University Lions 10-6.

Balmain Tigers men leap-frogged the Lions into fifth place with a resounding 12-4 decision over Cronulla Sharks.
Outgoing champions Wests Magpies closed their season with an 11-5 victory over higher-ranked Hunter Hurricanes but both are just outside the six.

The five-day finals series start at Sydney Olympic Park and Aquatic Centre tomorrow week.

Results:
National Water Polo League:
Men:
Brisbane: Victorian Tigers 14 (J Gilchrist 3, R Sinclair, M Price 2, L Gavin, A Edwards, C Gronow, S Lewis, I Lark, K Smith, J Woods) Brisbane Barracudas 8 (BJ Howden 3, C Mello 2, L Ingwersen, D Young, C Bitter).
Sydney: Drummoyne Devils 10 (A Roach, T Cleland 3, T Martin, S Avallone, S Boyd, A Robinson) Sydney University Lions 6 (N Cargill 3, T Franklin, J Young, S Mackenzie), Balmain Tigers 12 (C Dyson, G Woods 3, J Falzon 2, C Wright, J Davis, M Lazic, S Smith) Cronulla Sharks 4 (G Panawek 2, C Batty, D Wassell), Wests Magpies 11 (W Eames 3, D Swinnerton 2, S Cody, M Rapsey, R O’Brien, T Blewitt, A Skora, C Eames) Hunter Hurricanes 5 (N Campbell 3, M Baird, J Johnston).
Women:
Brisbane: Brisbane Barracudas 17 (M Rippon 4, K Gynther, Gao Ao 3, Sun Yujun, J Moran, JL Lewis 2, E Keogh) Victorian Tigers 7 (R Webster 3, J Hanson 2, A Van Ommen, K Dowrick).
Sydney: Balmain Tigers 12 (L Higlett, J Dessauvagie, T Woods, A Bower 2, R Rippon, E Simms, B Smith, B Appel) Cronulla Sharks 9 (N Zagame 6, H Lincoln-Smith, H Klein, M Schmid), UNSW Killer Whales 9 (S Grunberger, A Carter 2, A Gronow, Liu Ping, J Burford, He Jin, K Moran) Hunter Hurricanes 5 (N McJannet 3, E Goodwin, S Jones), Sydney University Lions 8 (A Brightwell, J Whitehorn, T Gofers 2, F Hammond, M Hammond) Drummoyne Devils 8 (A Southern 5, R Lissa, A Turnbull, C Mathewson).
Final points with top six qualifying for finals:
Men: Victorian Tigers 62, KFC Breakers 62, Drummoyne Devils 59, Fremantle Mariners 52, Balmain Tigers 49, Sydney University Lions 47, Hunter Hurricanes 42, Wests Magpies 39, Brisbane Barracudas 35, Cronulla Sharks 28, Adelaide Jets 27, UWA Torpedoes 26.
Women: Balmain Tigers 63, Longmont Fremantle Marlins 60, Brisbane Barracudas 60, Victorian Tigers 48, Cronulla Sharks 45, Drummoyne Devils 43, KFC Breakers 42, Sydney University Lions 42, UNSW Killer Whales 38, UWA Comets 34, Hunter Hurricanes 30, Adelaide Jets 23.

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Today in Port Macquarie, Patrick Vernay (New Caledonia) and Chrissie Wellington (UK) took the honours once again at the Country Energy Ironman Australia Triathlon. For Vernay, this marks a hat-trick of wins in Port Macquarie, while Wellington was able to successfully defend her inaugral 2008 title- and she keeps her perfect Ironman record six wins from six races intact.

After a week plagued with the worst imaginable weather conditions, athletes arrived this morning to a transition area which can only be described as a mud bath. However in true Ironman spirit, there was a terrific atmosphere in the race village as athletes made their final preparations for race start.

Just before the professional field set off on their 3.8km swim, it was announced that the highly anticipated showdown between Michellie Jones and Chrissie Wellington would not come to fruition, as Jones had been struck with a virus which had forced her to make the last minute decision to withdraw.

A disappointed Jones said, “This was one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make. I discussed it with my coach, but it was ultimately my decision.” Jones said that she is still determined to complete an Ironman in Australia before she retires from the sport.

In spite of the severe weather and torrential rain which had been experienced in race week, conditions for the two-lap Hastings River swim were surprisingly good.

In a first for Ironman Australia, the professional field were given a 35 minute ‘head start’ over the 1,400-strong age group contingent. This initiative proved to be a huge success, providing the professionals with clear water and road for the majority of the day.

As expected, Pete Jacobs immediately set to work, establishing an early lead on the 3.8km swim. By the mid-point turnaround, he had a clear 10 metre lead over a group which included Cam Watt, Mathias Hecht, Tim DeBoom, Rene Goehler and Simon Thompson. They were closely followed by another group which included the three lead women – Chrissie Wellington, Rebekah Keat and Sarah Pollett.

Jacobs exited the water in the super-fast time of 47:51. About 20 seconds behind came Goehler, Hecht, Thompson, Watt and DeBoom, and it was then a further couple of minutes to the main chase group which included defending champion Patrick Vernay, Tim Berkel, Josh Rix and Jimmy Johnsen. Mitch Anderson and Jason Shortis both emerged several minutes behind the leaders, setting themselves a massive challenge on the bike course.

Wellington just led the women out of the swim, however she had Pollett and Keat hot on her heels. Switzerland’s Caroline Steffen was just under two minutes further back.

Once on the bike course, the men’s race really started to take shape. The original lead group from the swim maintained their lead in the early stages, however by the 50km mark they had been joined by the chase group which included Vernay, Berkel, Johnson and DeBoom. Anderson loomed some seven minutes back.

About a quarter of the way in to the ride, Cameron Watt (winner of the 2008 Scody Port Macquarie Half Ironman) set his intentions by riding away from the group. He was able to extend his lead to as much as two minutes by the 90km mark, however in the final stages of the ride he was joined by local Port Macquarie athlete Adam Holborow. Watt responded by making a final surge as he approached the Ironman Village for the final time on the bike, and he was able to lead the charge in to the ride-run transition.

A tiring Holborow closely followed Watt into the run, however right behind him was a group of some ten athletes, including pre-race favourites Vernay, Berkel, DeBoom, Jacobs and Hecht.

Incredibly, Wellington had been able to ride right up with some of the leading men, and by the time she completed the 180km bike course, she had established a lead of over ten minutes on her closest rival, Rebekah Keat.

By the time the athletes headed back past the race village (approximately 7km into the run), the race had really started heating up. Vernay was running side-by-side with Berkel, setting the Port Macquarie “Team Berkel” support squad wild with excitement.

Approaching the half way mark, Vernay finally surged and was able to shake off Berkel. However he was still not to have the race all his own way, as meanwhile Jacobs had been steaming his way through the race leaders. He took the lead at the 35km mark, and for a while it appeared that an Aussie would finally reclaim the Ironman Australia title.

Ultimately, however, Vernay’s experience paid off and he was able to surge back past Jacobs in the closing lap of the run to take his third consecutive win here in Port Macquarie. Jacobs held on for second place, with Berkel rounding out the podium in a personal best time on the Port Macquarie course.

For Vernay, today’s victory was particularly special given that he was able to fend off challenge after challenge from the likes of Berkel and Jacobs. “It was a strange race today”, he said. “Finally, I got out of the swim with some strong bikers. We were able to catch the main group, but then we rode quite slowly. I was able to keep fresh on the bike, so I knew I would have a good marathon. But I did not think that Tim Berkel would run so fast.”

Vernay commented on how mentally challenging it was to run alongside Berkel, as the home-town athlete was receiving so much support from the crowds lining the run course.

When asked how he felt about being first Australian and second overall finisher today, a typically understated Jacobs simply said “pretty good”. His goal today was to secure his spot for Hawaii, so mission was well and truly accomplished.

For Berkel, third place continues his progression at this race each year, and it seems only a matter of time before the 24 year old is able to capture his firsts home-town win; a sentiment echoed later by both Vernay and Jacobs.

While the men’s race was punctuated with many lead changes throughout the day, the women’s race was all about Chrissie Wellington. In spite of Keat being able to stay with her until the end of the swim, as soon as they hit the bike it was a one-woman show. Unbelievably, Wellington was the 11th professional to finish, completing the course in under nine hours – a first for any woman over the Port Macquarie Ironman course.

“I am so immensely proud of my race today. It is such a vindication of all the hard work and my desire and passion I have for this sport.” When asked if she had been concerned about the extreme weather leading in to the race, Wellington simply said “You deal with it. We’re Ironman athletes. You deal with what you’re given.” She then credited race organisers and volunteers on delivering such a successful event in such difficult circumstances.

TOP THREE PROFESSIONAL RESULTS

Position Overall Swim Bike Run
1. Patrick Vernay (New Caledonia) 8:24:53 50:51 4:46:27 2:47:35
2. Pete Jacobs (NSW) 8:29:03 47:51 4:49:23 2:51:49
3. Tim Berkel (NSW) 8:31:43 50:50 4:47:16 2:54:37

1. Chrissie Wellington (UK) 8:57:10 50:48 5:05:02 3:01:20
2. Rebekah Keat (Qld) 9:21:33 50:55 5:16:03 3:14:35
3. Caroline Steffen (Switzerland) 9:38:44 52:28 5:14:32 3:31:43

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 Sydney Olympian Sean Boyd saved face for Drummoyne Devils in their men’s National Water Polo League match against Wests Magpies at Parramatta Pool here yesterday.

Outgoing premiers Wests have no chance of making next month’s finals but rebounded from a sloppy draw with Brisbane Barracudas the day before to clinch a shock 10-all draw with the third-ranked Devils.

In fact, Wests grabbed the lead inside the final two minutes only to have Boyd score from centre forward 11 seconds later.

Wests lost their coach and several vital players from last year and haven’t performed anywhere near the level of last year’s historic season.
Drummoyne women also drew their encounter, finishing 9-all with the UNSW Killer Whales.

As with the men, Drummoyne needed to level the game with the equaliser coming from United States import Courtney Mathewson at 4:20 left in the game.

Angela Turnbull was the star for Drummoyne with six goals.
Sydney University Lions men, sitting just outside a finals berth, beat Brisbane Barracudas men 14-6 while the No 3 Barracudas women beat the No 6 Lions 13-8.

In Melbourne, the No 2 Victorian Tigers men dumped Adelaide Jets 16-8 and the No 4 Tigers women came through a high-fouling match against the Jets 17-12. Eleven players had at least two major fouls with two fouled out of the game.

In Perth, the UWA Comets women turned the tables on KFC Queensland Breakers with a 6-5 victory following Friday’s 11-7 loss while the front-charging Breakers men smashed UWA Torpedoes 18-5.

Results- National Water Polo League:
Men:
Sydney: Sydney University Lions 14 (T Franklin, A Visch 3, T Woudwyk, B Turner 2, R Saldain, S Nicholson, J Davis, L Hollis) Brisbane Barracudas 6 (C Bitter 4, C Mello, M Giles), Wests Magpies 10 (D Swinnerton, R O’Brien 3, M Rapsey, W Eames 2) Drummoyne Devils 10 (S Avallone 4, T Martin 3, B Scott, A Roach, S Boyd).
Melbourne: Victorian Tigers 16 (L Gavin, J Gilchrist 3, A Edwards, C Gronow, S Lewis 2, J Disken, K Smith, T Denehy, M Price) Adelaide Jets 8 (L Northcote 3, N Martin, T Dayman, A Martin, D Parrish, J Frost).
Perth: KFC Queensland Breakers 18 (A Martin 3, D Streets, B Miller, T Knox, M Birch, S Robertson, E Lui 2, M McCann, G Waterman, J Votan) UWA Torpedoes 5 (B Mercer, J Balczer 2, B Yalkin).
Women:
Sydney: Brisbane Barracudas 13 (N Stoltz, Gao Ao 3, Sun Yujun, J Moran 2, A Russell, K Gynther, M Rippon) Sydney University Lions 8 (T Gofers 4, S Cuffe, J Whitehorn, K Gofers, M Hammond), UNSW Killer Whales 9 (K Moran 4, K Mirabito 2, S Grunberger, J Burford, He Jin) Drummoyne Devils 9 (A Turnbull 6, C Mathewson 2, A Southern).
Melbourne: Victorian Tigers 17 (A Van Ommen 4, R Webster, M Jacka, E Rosato 3, L Webster, J Hanson, EJ Grahame, C Banks) Adelaide Jets 12 (L Callahan 5, J Martin 4, S Ricketts 2, M Hatcher).
Perth: UWA Comets 6 (G Domanic, E Browne 2, Z Hadley

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Jos Hoetjes blitzing the race

Australian Courtney Dutton and New Zealand’s Jos Hoetjes put in
commanding performances to take out the ITU Junior Oceania
Championships today on the Gold Coast.

The win handed Dutton the final spot on the Australian female junior team to
contest the World Championships on the Gold Coast in September along with
team mates Holly Aitken and Emma Jackson.

New Zealand junior champion, Hoetjes continued his outstanding season
following his bronze at the recent Australian Youth Olympics and victories in
local races in New Zealand to also add the Oceania title to his resume.

New Zealand’s Teresa Adam lead out of the water by 30 seconds from the
next group containing Aitken, Jackson and Dutton. After the first lap of the
bike they were all together on the flat and fast 20km cycle which was also
technical in some sections.

The heat was a telling factor today and it took its toll on the field.

Dutton has been a consistent performer this season, featuring in the silver
medal winning team at the Australian Youth Olympics. Dutton handled the
pressure and conditions like a seasoned professional despite having to run
down the Australian Youth Olympics gold medallist Aitken over the 5km to
secure victory. Another emerging talent Victorian Jaimi Chisholm recorded
one of her best results finishing third.

“I’m overwhelmed with that result, after missing the world’s team last year it
really motivated me to get back

“My plan was to come out in with the leaders in the swim, ride as hard as I
could and hang on in the run for as long as I could.

“I’m so happy with this result, especially when Holly made a break in the run,
I didn’t panic just worked my way back through,” said Dutton.

Although off the pace today Emma Jackson’s eighth place was enough to
secure her the Australian Junior Triathlon Series after four races, relegating
Aitken to second and Dutton third.

The swim did little to separate the men, a group of 41 athletes formed on the
bike, at times riding six abreast proving challenging on the technical end of
the course.

“I just sat back on the bike and relaxed a bit, trying to save something for
the run, it was pretty hot out there,” said Hoetjes after the race.

Hoetjes emerged from the large pack on the bike and positioned himself
nicely among the front runners that included Australian Youth Olympics silver
medallist Sam Appleton and his training partner Aron Royle.

“I kept telling myself to keep my stride short and relax,” said Hoetjes.

The mantra worked perfectly, Hoetjes pulling away in the end to win
comfortably from Royle and Appleton, this pair have been waging their own
battle this season. Royle turned the tables on Appleton today and ironically
this secured him equal second on the final Australian Junior Triathlon Series
point score, Victoria’s Jamie Huggett won the series by one point.

Today’s Gold Coast Triathlon – Luke Harrop Memorial also included 2500
athletes competing over the Sprint (750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run)
trying to secure a spot on the Australian team to compete at the 2009 Gold
Coast ITU Triathlon World Championships. Nerang’s Risa Saito made the
most of the perfect early conditions to record the fastest time of the day,
coming home in 1hr, 3min, 53secs. The fastest male home was Paul
Wiedersehn in 58min,24secs.

Others chose to tackle the Enticer (300m swim, 10km cycle, 2km run) while
hundreds of kids took up the challenge in the Superkidz Tri.

Gold Coast Junior ITU Oceania Championships Results

ITU Junior Elites
Male
1. Jos Hoetjes Christchurch 58:21
2. Aaron Royle Newcastle 58:53
3. Sam Appleton Warrimoo 58:59
4. Jamie Huggett Ballarat 59:11
5. Ryan Bailie Bunbury 59:18

Female
1 Courtney Dutton Bridgeman Downs 1:04:09
2. Holly Aitken East Kew 1:04:38
3. Jaimi Chisholm Mt Martha 1:05:23
4. Ashleigh Gentle Robina 1:05:45
5. Rebecca Kingsford Tirau 1:05:59

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Brad Kahlefeldt crosses the finish line

Beijing Olympian Brad Kahlefeldt led home an Australian clean sweep in his first race in five months at the 2009 Gold Coast Triathlon Oceania Championships.

Kahlefeldt edged out Beijing team mate Courtney Atkinson, who recently won the Australian Sprint title and rising star Dan Wilson with Japan’s Kiyomi Niwata taking the women’s crown ahead of Switzerland’s Daniela Ryf and Chilean Barbara Riveros. Kahlefeldt said he was delighted with the fast and furious course raced today which will be the same use for the 2009 Gold Coast ITU World Triathlon Championships in September.

Kahlefeldt is unbeaten on this course, with four wins and must give him a huge confidence boost ahead of the World Championships.

Early race leader Clayton Fettell lead off the front of the bike for the entire 40km and headed into the run with a 45 second lead from the chase group of 45. But after the first lap of the run the heat had decimated the field and it was the Australian trio Kahlefeldt, Atkinson, Wilson and the UK’s Stuart Hayes that broke away. Hayes was first to lose touch. Kahlefeldt turned up the intensity in the final lap which no one could match to take an easy victory in the end.

In the ITU Australian Junior Oceania Championships Courtney Dutton and New Zealand’s Jos Hoetjes put in commanding performances.

The win handed Dutton the final spot on the Australian female junior team to contest the World Championships on the Gold Coast in September along with team mates Holly Aitken and Emma Jackson.

New Zealand junior champion, Hoetjes continued his outstanding season following his bronze at the recent Australian Youth Olympics and victories in local races in New Zealand to also add the Oceania title to his resume.

Dutton has been a consistent performer this season, featuring in the silver medal winning team at the Australian Youth Olympics. Dutton handled the pressure and conditions like a seasoned professional despite having to run down the Australian Youth Olympics gold medallist Aitken over the 5km to secure victory. Another emerging talent Victorian Jaimi Chisholm recorded one of her best results finishing third.

The Gold Coast Triathlon – Luke Harrop Memorial was first on the racing agenda. Approximately 2500 athletes competed in one of the three distances on offer; Sprint (750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run); Enticer (300m swim, 10km cycle, 2km run); and The Courier Mail Superkidz Triathlon.

Age Group competiotors were racing to secure a spot on the Australian team to compete at the 2009 Gold Coast ITU Triathlon World Championships. Nerang’s Risa Saito made the most of the perfect early conditions, coming home in 1hr, 3min, 53secs. The fastest male home was Paul Wiedersehn in 58min,24secs.

2009 Gold Coast ITU Triathlon Championships Results

ITU Elite
Male

1 Brad Kahlefeldt Aust 1:50:13
2 Courtney Atkinson Aust 1:50:25
3 Dan Wilson Aust 1:50:51
4 Clark Ellice NZ 1:51:35
5 Ryan Sissons NZ 1:51:41
6 Stuart Hayes UK 1:51:41

Female

1 Kiyomi Niwata Japan 2:00:45
2 Daniela Ryf SUI 2:01:13
3 Barbara Riveros Chile 2:01:15
4 Sarah Crowley Aust 2:02:04
5 Misato Takagi Japan 2:02:23

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Sharleen Stratton and Alexandra Croak

The Australian Open Diving Championships at Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler was opened by The Hon Chris Bombolas MP State member for Chatsworth at 1pm on Friday 27th of February. This included a march on of all the competitors including the New Zealand and Chinese teams.

He wished all the officials and competitors good luck for the championships, particularly for the FINA World Championships in Rome in July 2009, The Commonwealth Games in New Deli 2010 and the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

The opening  morning’s 1 metre preliminaries saw Sharleen Stratton and Alexandra Croak coming first and second in the event.

Olympic gold medallist Matthew Mitcham of New South Wales got his campaign got off to a good start when he blitzed the field in the men’s preliminary 1 metre springboard event with a total score of 416.8 ahead of his closest rival Ethan Warren of Queensland with 374.10.

Day 2 of the 2009 Australian Open Diving Championships continued with Matthew Mitcham (NSW) chasing his 3rd gold medal in his favourite event the Men’s 10 metre platform. At the end of today’s semi final, Mitcham was leading the field with a score of 1050.45. He will carry that score forward to the final which will be held later this afternoon. He was being pushed by Chinese diver Yang Jian, Y in second place with 1001.00.

“I’m really pleased with my form at the moment” Mitcham said. “I still have to keep my nerve to win the event today. There are 2 Chinese divers pushing me hard” he said.

Yu Ai Yang, Matthew Mitcham, Yang Jian

Mitcham collected 2 perfect 10’s in his final dive – a 2 ½ somersault with a 2 ½ twist.

Sharleen Stratton (QLD) continued her winning form from day one with an impressive performance in the Women’s 3 metre springboard event.

At the end of the semi final, Stratton led the field with a win of 376.00 points, giving her an interim score of 732.30 and the outright lead going into this afternoon’s final.

“I am really happy and confident with the way I am performing today” she said. “The Chinese diver Fang Min is pressuring me, as is my Olympic team mate Briony Cole” Stratton said.

In 2nd place with an interim score of 665.40 is Chinese diver Fang Min, closely followed in 3rd place by Briony Cole (VIC).

At the midway point of the final day of the 2009 Australian Open Diving Championships, gold medal Olympian Matthew Mitcham (NSW)  continued his good form to lead into the final of the Men’s 3 metre springboard event.

Mitcham is on track to pick up his 4th gold medal of the meet when he takes to the springboard again.

Behind Mitcham is team mate Grant Nel (VIC) followed by Li Jin Cong of China.

In the Women’s 10 metre platform semi final, Olympian Melissa Wu (NSW) clawed back her form to lead the semi finals. She dived strongly in the semi finals to move from 3rd to 1st place, ahead of Chinese diver Li Sibei and Olympic team mate Alexandra Croak.

Article: DIVING AUSTRALIA  AFP Photographer: DIVING AUSTRALIA

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Adelaide Jets v Wests Water Polo MAgpies.

Adelaide Jets women came from 8-4 down to tie 11-all with the University of New South Wales Killer Whales in a National Water Polo League match at Adelaide Aquatic Centre yesterday.

National junior representative Isobel Bishop scored the equaliser inside the final minute after the Jets had narrowed the margin to 9-7 at the final break.

The Killer Whales, playing their fifth game in five days, held an 11-8 advantage with five minutes remaining but ran out of steam.

Six of the Killer Whales’ goals came from Chinese Olympic duo Liu Ping and He Jin.

The Jets men were not so lucky, losing 18-7 to reigning champions Wests Magpies who were spearheaded by Ross O’Brien with four goals.

Wests gained four wins and two losses on their road trip west.

Adelaide Jets v UNSW Killer Whales

In Brisbane, the KFC Breakers men wrapped up Balmain Tigers 12-6 while the women’s game was reversed with the Tigers winning 15-7.

In Newcastle, the Drummoyne Devils women didn’t wait long for their inaugural win in the NWPL, beating Hunter Hurricanes 7-5 in what was only their second match.

Ellen Pittorino (3) and Angela Turnbull (2) were the only multi scorers in the game as the Devils trailed only once, late in the second quarter.

The Devils men finally shook off the Hurricanes in the final quarter, winning their clash 12-11.

In Wollongong, Cronulla Sharks women knocked off Sydney University Lions 9-7 with Nicola Zagame scoring five goals for the Sharks.

Results:
National Water Polo League:
Men:
Brisbane: KFC Breakers 12 (B Miller 4, D Streets, A Martin, J Votan 2, G Waterman, L Cranley) Balmain Tigers 6 (C Dyson 2, T Hamill, J Davis, G Woods, R Tracy).
Newcastle: Drummoyne Devils 12 (P Harmer, S Avallone 3, M Emery, S Boyd 2, D Semmens, T Cleland) Hunter Hurricanes 11 (J Johnson 4, S Berry 3, M Baird 2, N Campbell, D Robinson).
Adelaide: Wests Magpies 18 (R O’Brien 4, M Rapsey, A Skora 3, T Blewitt 2, D Swinnerton, S Cody, J Burton, W Eames, M Toldonato, C Eames) Adelaide Jets 7 (L Northcote 3, A Martin 2, J Frost, P Barr).
Women:
Brisbane: Balmain Tigers 15 (T Woods, B Appel 3, E Simms, J Dessauvagie 2, L Higlett, K Armstrong, R Rippon, B Mayer, A Bower) KFC Breakers 7 (N McCarthy, E Bowden 2, S Horgan, E Armit, J Armstrong).
Newcastle: Drummoyne Devils 7 (E Pittorino 3, A Turnbull 2, S Dill-Macky, A Southern) Hunter Hurricanes 5 (E Goodwin, S Jones, N McJannet, J Bendeich, B Rowe).
Wollongong: Cronulla Sharks 9 (N Zagame 5, J Liessmann 2, H Lincoln-Smith, B Timilty) Sydney University Lions 7 (J Whitehorn, M Hammond 2, A Brightwell, S Cuffe, A Cox).
Adelaide: Adelaide Jets 11 (J Martin, I Bishop, D Wawrzinski 3, S Rickets, L Callahan) UNSW Killer Whales 11 (Liu Ping, He Jin 3, A Gronow 2, K Mirabito, J Burford, K Moran).

BLK1 Article: AUSTRALIAN WATERPOLO INCORPORATED  BLK1 Photographer: ANTHONY PEARSE

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Annabelle Luxford, Female winner, 2009 Australian Elite Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships

Brisbane’s Annabel Luxford launched her triathlon career comeback campaign
in style today, winning the Australian Triathlon Sprint Championships at
Hobart’s dockside today.

The former ITU world number one, led the race from start to finish, to take
the sprint crown in 1h3m41s. Trailing her by a fair margin was Barbara
Riveros-Diaz from Chile who crossed the line in 1h4m35s and third was
Brisbane’s Sarah Cowley (1hr 5m40s).

It was a rewarding win for Luxford whose career has been hampered by injury
and has seen her spend the last year sidelined with a stress fracture to her
foot. Back training under Shaun Stephens, the 26 year old looked
particularly strong today in the swim and bike, and was thrilled with the
victory.

Annabelle Luxford, Female winner, 2009 Australian Elite Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships

Luxford’s glory year was 2005 when she was world number one and took a
silver in the world championships, but 2006 to 2008 have been lean years
with a 5th at the Commonwealth Games and the disappointment of injury
damming her Beijing ambitions. The law student is hoping today’s victory
kicks off her journey to the 2012 Olympics.

“I had no idea how I would go before the race. I am glad to be back and to
win an Australian title, is always extra special,” said Luxford.

“I was a little nervous, all these young kids are here, and I thought a
little intimidated,” said Luxford whose domination of the race where she won
by nearly a minute, showed she had no need for concern.

The next major races on the Australian triathlon race calendar are the
Oceania / Luke Harrop Memorial Championship on the Gold Coast on March 1 (to
be run on the course to be used for the world championships in September ) ,
followed by Australian Triathlon Championships for the longer Olympic
distance in Perth on March 15.

RESULTS:

Australian Triathlon Sprint Championships WOMENS Hobart – Sunday February 15 2009:

1. Annabel Luxford (Brisbane – QLD)
1h 3m41s

2. Barbara Riveros-Diaz (Chile)
1h4m35s

3. Sarah Crowely (Brisbane – QLD)
1h5m40s

BLK1 Article: TRIATHLON AUSTRALIA BLK1 Photographer: DELLY CARR

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Ross O'Brien Shooting

On February 6th Wests Magpies began their defence of the men’s National Water Polo League crown in rusty fashion with a 14-10 loss to Victorian Tigers at the University of New South Wales.

Despite a 2-0 lead, Wests had lost the advantage by quarter time and always had to play catch-up, only twice coming within a goal in the last three periods.

For the Tigers it was back to winning after a draw with Hunter Hurricanes the night before and it saw the Tigers’ United States import, Miles Price, to the fore with four goals.
The Tigers women suffered their first defeat in three matches against a spirited UNSW Killer Whales outfit, going down 13-8.

Lea Barta Goal Keeping

The supreme efforts of goalkeeper Lea Barta and five-goal heroine Ali Gronow put paid to the Tigers’ game plan. For Gronow it was bittersweet, scoring against her former club for the first time.

In Brisbane, the KFC Breakers racked up two wins over the Adelaide Jets with the men romping home 15-5 and the women 12-10.

In the women’s encounter, Sydney Olympic gold medallist Naomi McCarthy scored three goals in a comeback to the NWPL for the Breakers while Adelaide’s goals came from eight different players.

Lauren Machanis Goal Keeping

The next day, World Cup and Commonwealth champion Fiona Hammond turned on the power for her Sydney University Lions team in National Water Polo League action at the Sydney University Lions vs. Hunter Hurricanes game on February 7.

Hammond scored six goals as her team thumped Hunter Hurricanes 18-9, thus starting its campaign with a victory.

It was a tough opening half with the Lions holding a two-goal lead at quarter time but only a 6-5 margin at halftime with Hammond scoring four.
A 7-2 third period was the difference with the Lions swimming away with the match.
Younger sister Melissa Hammond was also on fire with four goals, including a hat-trick in the third period.

Kate Lee Williams

The Sydney Uni and Hunter men’s teams battled to an 8-all draw.
The Victorian Tigers turned the tables on the University of New South Wales Killer Whales with an 11-8 decision following Thursday’s 13-8 win for the Killer Whales.

Also on February 7, Reigning men’s champions Wests Magpies suffered a second defeat to the Victorian Tigers, falling 10-2 after Thursday’s 14-10.
In Brisbane, the KFC Breakers men went on a goal fest against the Adelaide Jets with a 20-3 result, thanks to Billy Miller’s six-goal haul — five in the first half as the Breakers led 10-1.

The Breakers women had to fight for a 10-8 win after leading 10-6 with four minutes remaining. Kate Miller topped the scoring with four goals for the home team.

RESULTS:

6th February 2009:
Men:
Sydney: Victorian Tigers 14 (M Price 4, R Moody 3, S Lewis 2, L Gavin, J Gilchrist, J Disken, I Lark, J Woods) Wests Magpies 10 (W Eames 3, D Swinnerton, S Cody 2, R O’Brien, C Eames, M Toldonato).
Brisbane: KFC Breakers 15 (D Will, B Miller 3, A Martin, G Waterman, S Robertson 2, T Knox, J Votan, M Birch) Adelaide Jets 5 (L Northcote 2, L Vezzosi, T Dayman, A Martin).
Women:
Sydney: UNSW Killer Whales 13 (A Gronow 5, K Moran 3, A Carter 2, S Grunberger, N Jackson, Liu Ping) Victorian Tigers 8 (A Van Ommen, E Rosato 2, L Webster, EJ Grahame, R Webster, M Jacka).
Brisbane: KFC Breakers 12 (S Mills 4, K Miller, N McCarthy 3, C Grayson, E Bowden) Adelaide Jets 10 (I Bishop, L Callahan 2, C Murphy, M Hatcher, J Martin, S Murphy, K Green, D Wawrzinski).
7th February 2009:
Men:
Brisbane: KFC Breakers 20 (B Miller 6, A Martin 4, G Waterman 3, A Rotsey, S Robertson 2, D Streets, M Wilson, T Jenkins) Adelaide Jets 3 (J McKown, L Northcott, G Bretag-Norris).
Sydney: Victorian Tigers 10 (J Gilchrist, S Lewis 2, R Sinclair, L Gavin, M Gronow, K Smith, J Woods, M Price) Wests Magpies 2 (S Cody, T Blewitt), Sydney University Lions 8 Hunter Hurricanes 8 (scorers unavailable).
Women:
Brisbane: KFC Breakers 10 (K Miller 4, S Horgan 3, E Bowden 2, S Farquhar) Adelaide Jets 8 (L Callahan 3, S Ricketts 2, J Martin, I Bishop, D Wawrzynski).
Sydney: Victorian Tigers 11 (EJ Grahame, A Van Ommen, R Webster, K Dowrick 2, K Frazer, M Jacka. E Rosato) UNSW Killer Whales 8 (K Mirabito 3, A Gronow, A Carter 2, Liu Ping).

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BLK1 Article: AUSTRALIAN WATER POLO INCORPORATED

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