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Beijing Olympian Courtney Atkinson opened his London campaign with a strong performance in his first race of the season at the Seven Sunshine Coast Enduro Triathlon at Caloundra this morning, while Emma Jackson took a step closer to her Olympic dream with a convincing win over the unique ‘battle of the sexes’ format.

The tough Enduro race saw the elite competitors tackle a 400m swim, 7km cycle and 1.8km, followed by another 200m swim, 7km cycle and 1.8km run in warm, steamy conditions.

 

Emma Jackson took line honours and the $500 bonus up for grabs after the female field was given a 4 minute and 50 second head start on the men’s field.

However Atkinson clocked the fastest time, showing his class and experience at this type of racing.

He emerged from the first swim leg in a large pack of eight including Kenmore Hill’s Ryan Fisher and Kallangur’s Drew Box.  The tight pack stuck together early on in the first cycle leg, before Atkinson, Fisher and Box broke away from the group and headed into the first run leg where Atkinson really started to show his form.
Atkinson continued to extend his lead in the second swim leg, before making the tactical move to drop back to the chasing two, before amping back up for the final run leg.

 

“I just love racing, but last year, for the first time in 13 years, I had a really bad year and it was really hard but today has proved that it is the first step for me, in an Olympic year to show that my form is here and I’m looking forward towards London come August."

 

Ryan Fisher took second place ahead of third place getter, Drew Box.

 

“I didn’t expect to see Courtney (Atkinson) here today, but that’s who you want to be racing, someone who will push you so you can see where you are.  I’ll be racing Devenport Oceania Championships in early March then hopefully off to Mooloolaba ITU World Cup 3 weeks later,” said Fisher.

 

Jackson exited the first swim to cycle transition with Victorian, Erin Densham and Liz Blatchford from Great Britain.  The three remained tight during the first half of the race, before Jackson established a lead in the second swim.  It was the second cycle and run where Jackson broke away from Densham and Blatchford, establishing a strong lead that could not be matched.


Seven Sunshine Coast Enduro - Elite Male
1. Courtney Atkinson 40:10
2. Ryan Fisher 40:14
3. Drew Box 40:28
4. Cameron Good 40:51
5. Joshua Amberger 41:04


Seven Sunshine Coast Enduro - Elite Female
1. Emma Jackson 44:52
2. Erin Densham 45:29
3. Liz Blatchford 45:38
4. Chloe Turner 46:55
5. Kirralee Seidel 48:23