Login Contact Us

 > Home Page > Triathlon & Multi Sport > Gatorade Queensland Tri Series > Media & Gallery > Media Release - Shaw and DeFrancesco celebrate end of year wins at Raby Bay

The Sunshine Coast’s Ben Shaw and Gold Coast’s Danielle DeFrancesco took out convincing wins at Race 3 of the Gatorade Queensland Tri Series this morning.
 
After days of rain the weather changed for the better and allowed a sunny race day attracting a crowd to watch these athletes battle it out in steaming racing conditions over the 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run.
 
The men’s field was dominated by Shaw as he showed strength in his form in the challenging conditions and claimed his first podium of the series at Raby Bay this morning.
 
“It was really tough with the heat, I just tried to go hard and get rid of the other boys,” said Shaw.
 
Shaw remained the front man for the entire race proving he was a force to be reckoned with in the Sprint format.
 
“There is no point in just sitting around you just have to go hard from the start and that’s what I did.
 
“That’s what boys like Fettell are doing. You just have to go hard and hang on,” Shaw added.
 
Brisbane’s Nicholas Hull and Southport’s Kenji Nener both showed a clean pair of heels to come in behind Shaw and take out second and third place respectively.
 
Shaw exited the swim and established a good lead ahead over the chasers. By lap four of the cycle leg he was unstoppable. Heading back into T2 Shaw led in 45 seconds ahead from Hull, Nener and McMaster.
 
Hull hit the pavement and made up some good time on the run leg but just couldn’t catch Shaw.
 
Young guns like Nicholas Hull are well aware that in order to progress through the ranks they need establish themselves over the summer through the constant high level competition that the Gatorade Queensland Tri series provides.
 
“It was a great race. Ben (Shaw) raced really well. Coming off the front is always tough. I was just chasing him all race. It was a great hit out before Christmas.
 
“These races certainly bring out the best in all of us. There is a really solid group who keep showing up race after race,” said Hull.

Brisbane’s Bryce McMaster remained in the tight pack of males. After recovering from an injury and a few days out of training he couldn’t find the power in his legs to claim a podium finish but had a strong finish in fourth place.
 
In the women’s event, open water specialist and Gold Coast girl, Danielle DeFrancesco, capped off 2011 with victory ahead of Brisbane’s Gillian Backhouse and the Sunshine Coast’s Chloe Turner.
 
DeFrancesco did a great job in front holding a 45 second lead for the duration of the 20km cycle leg of today’s race.
 
DeFrancesco felt her race went really well. She set herself up in the swim, held it together in the cycle leg, maintained constant speed in the run to bring it home and claim victory.
 
“You just have to try and grab as hard in the swim and make the most of it and then try and hold on in the bike and then just come home strong in the run,” said DeFrancesco.
 
DeFrancesco came out of the water ahead of a tight pack of girls including Backhouse, Foster and Turner.
 
Coming from a competitive open water swimming background but having dabbled in triathlons when she was younger, DeFrancesco was always going to be tough to beat.
 
“My swim has helped me move into triathlons. My triathlon experience when I was younger has helped me come back into the sport,” DeFrancesco said.
 
DeFrancesco remained in the lead and was never going to be challenged on the 5km run. Backhouse and Turner both looked very comfortable on the track but it was golden girl DeFrancesco who held a clear 33 second lead and claimed victory.
 
Backhouse looked very smooth on the track, came home strong in the run and was pleased with her second place finish today.
 
Turner made up time on the final lap of the run leg and put in a solid performance to finish in third place today.
 
The competitors of the age group category took well to the race day conditions and the course, the water temperature was 23.2 degrees and the clear sunny day made for optimal race conditions.
 
The race day ended with Redland City Mayor Melva Hobson presenting the medal winners.
 
Mayor Hobson was thrilled with the turnout of today’s event, highlighting that the local community are behind all triathlon events held at Raby Bay.

Mayor Hobson also greeted each Kool Kid as they crossed the line from their 100m swim, 2km cycle and 400m run event.
 
“It’s wonderful to see so many families here today. It’s so exciting to see so many young people participating I get really emotional when I see these young Kool Kids cross the finish line.
 
“They have run their hearts out and I just think it’s great as fitness is such an important part of life.
 
“I just think it’s amazing to see so many people constructively doing this. So congratulations to you all as the organizers and as a city we are so excited to be able to support you in this series and we look forward to the next race,” Mayor Hobson said.
 
For the age-groupers, Raby Bay once again proved to be a popular venue with just under 1500 competitors turning out to take part in the annual Christmas themed event.  Participants of all ages and ability embraced the Christmas spirit, donning Santa hats, reindeer ears and tinsel to celebrate the beginning of the festive season.
 
The increasingly popular Kool Kids Triathlon for children 7-11 years of age saw over 160 kids participate in the 100m swim, 2km cycle and 400m run.
 
This event concluded the 2011 season. The Gatorade Queensland Tri Series will be back with the final 4 events of the series in 2012.
 
Overall Results

Open Male
1. Ben Shaw Mt Coolum 00:55:38
2. Nicholas Hull Chapel Hill 00:55:47
3. Kenji Nener Southport 00:56:18
4. Bryce McMaster Daisy Hill 00:56:43
5. Dylan Holdsworth Carina 00:58:13

Open Female
1. Danielle DeFrancesco Burleigh Heads 01:01:37
2. Gillian Backhouse St Lucia 01:02:10
3. Chloe Turner Buderim 01:02:22
4. Kym Jaenke  01:03:29
5. Annelise Jefferies Buderim 01:04:34
 
A full set of results are available at www.qldtriseries.com.au
 
Next races - 2011/12 Series Schedule
Race 4 - 15 January 2012 Robina
Race 5 - 5 February 2012 Caloundra
Race 6 - 26 February 2012 Raby Bay
Race 7 - 22 April 2012 Gold Coast

7 Races… 3 Distances…1 Series Not to Be Missed…

The Gatorade Queensland Tri Series – Raby Bay is proudly supported by Redland City Council.