Media Release - Fisher gets last say in series battle

FISHER GETS LAST SAY IN SERIES BATTLE
SALTHOUSE SHOWS HER HEELS IN COMMANDING PERFORMANCE

Ryan Fisher proved he was a force to be reckoned with after taking out a convincing win at the Gold Coast Tri – Luke Harrop Memorial in spectacular conditions at Southport this morning.

Today’s race, which featured a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run, also doubled as the 2011/12 Gatorade Queensland Tri Series Grand Final.

Fisher crossed the line almost a minute ahead of Everton Hill's Joshua Amberger and Launceston’s James Hodge who placed second and third respectively.

Fisher was among the lead pack of three, including Amberger and Taylor Cecil, coming out of the swim, put in a solid performace on the bike, before steaming through T2 proving that this was going to be down to a runner’s race.
“It was a good race and great to come away with the win today,” Fisher said.

The win marks a solid end to Fisher’s domestic season, as he plans to head to race in Spain, as part of the World Triathlon Series Championships, prior to progressing to a solid block of training in France.

“I’ve got a pretty big Winter planned, I’ll be heading over to race in Madrid, Spain in six weeks time so I’ll train there for a couple of weeks and then I’ll head to France.

Second place-getter Amberger, displayed a burly run leg determined to close the gap on Fisher.

“I had a good swim, and I’ve been putting in a lot of training on the bike, so I really wanted to lay it on the boys. 

I’ve got a few non-drafting races coming up so I wanted to give it a nudge.

“I was a bit scared on the run, I couldn’t feel my legs for the first 4km but I came through in the end and I’m happy with my result,” said Amberger.

Cecil couldn’t hold the pace on the cycle and run, crossing the finish line in sixth position.

In the women’s field there was a fast pack of girls who lead from start to finish including Ellie Salthouse, Maddison Allen, Holly Grice, Chloe Turner and Olympic Silver medallist Loretta Harrop.

Allen dominated the swim, but Salthouse soon proved that this was her race.

Salthouse, who crossed the line 31-seconds ahead of Allen, was confident she could bring it home with a commanding run leg.

“I knew I could rely on my run so I just went out there and gave it everything,” Salthouse said.

The nineteen-year old acknowledged that today’s hit out has set her up well to embark on a series of races in Europe.

“This is a very competitive sport and I just love getting out there and having a great race and seeing how much I can hurt the others.

“I’m getting on a plane tomorrow heading to Europe to race in the French Grand Prix Triathlon Series, I’m racing for a team over there and I’ll also be racing in Spain and some super sprint races in London, so I’ll be over there for about three months.

“I come back in mid July, back in time to train for the season including Noosa Tri,” added Salthouse.

Today’s significant event marks the tenth anniversary of the Luke Harrop Memorial, a race that pays tribute to Luke Harrop, remembering his zest for life and the race that he loved so much.

It is also the final race in the Luke Harrop Memorial Bursary. The other two events being Mooloolaba and Noosa triathlons, all three were Luke’s favourite races.

A cash grant of $1000 is awarded to the U23 male and female winner at each of these events with a further bonus of $1500 given to the overall winners (male and female) of the Luke Harrop Memorial Bursary.

For Fisher and Salthouse the win handed them as a triple treat - line honours, Bursary event win and secured them the overall Bursary series win.

Returning to take part in her brothers’ race in the open field this year, Loretta Harrop competed alongside Luke’s best mates former junior world champion Chris Hill and Nino Calabro before presenting the Bursary winners with their cheques and trophies.

“It’s been such a great atmosphere here today. I feel like it’s one big family when I come to this race and I really appreciate everyone getting involved.

“We all like to think that Luke is up there looking down on us, we’ve had a chat to all of his friends who are here racing today.  This is a great way to remember him, he always loved racing and he was so passionate about the sport and the people involved in it,” Harrop said.

In a fitting tribute, Luke’s best mates crossed the finish line together to celebrate his life.

The grand final marked the end of the 2011/12 season with the biggest field of the series. Over 2200 triathletes turned out to take part this morning, a clear affirmation from competitors the Gold Coast Tri is the hall mark event of the series.

The athletes swam, cycled and ran in one of three different distances including the Kool Kids Tri, making this sport an attractive option for the whole family.

The 2011/12 Gatorade Queensland Tri Series has seen over 12,000 competitors take part across the seven series races between October 2011 and April 2012 and has been a great breeding ground for our talented juniors, a fantastic opportunity for first timers, weekend warriors and eager kids. Triathlon is a challenging, diverse and fun way to keep fit for people of all ages and abilities.

Overall Results
Open Male
1. Ryan Fisher Kenmore Hills 00:54:16
2. Joshua Amberger Everton Hills 00:55:17
3. James Hodge Launceston 00:55:22
4. Ben Shaw Mt Coolum 00:56:31
5. John Polson Sorrento 00:57:09

Open Female
1. Ellie Salthouse Balmoral 01:03:49
2. Maddison Allen Paddington 01:04:20
3. Holly Grice Redcliffe 01:04:59
4. Chloe Turner Buderim 01:07:03
5. Loretta Harrop Coomera 01:07:10