triathlon

Amateur mistakes: don't make them and you'll swim, bike and run through your first triathlon with ease.

Wanaka firefighter David O'Sullivan admits tackling this year's Challenge Wanaka iron distance triathlon on his own is a "distinctly daunting" prospect, after his fellow fire brigade team-mates backed out of the event.

The Lake Hayes Christmas triathlon was held on Tuesday at the showgrounds, with impressive performances by winners Robert Huisman, of Invercargill, and Nicky Samuels, of Wanaka.

Action from the Salomon Lake Hayes Easter Triathlon on Friday.

A chance encounter last month in Christchurch between former top Ironman triathletes and old rivals Gavin Hawke and Geoff Matthews has led to the creation of what is being regarded as the most outstanding off-road triathlon course in New Zealand, which will have its debut during the 2011 Motatapu event next month.

Some have completed Wanaka Challenge, or conquered the Lake Hayes Women's Triathlon, some have quit their jobs and travelled overseas.