Bay triathlete triumphs

By SHANNON GILLIES | 27th October 2009

"Absolutely shattered" was the state of Hawke's Bay's newest world champion when she arrived home this morning craving rest.

Hastings Girls' High School PE teacher Annika Edmondson finished first in her 20-24 age-group at the International Triathlon Union World Long Distance Championships in Perth on Sunday.

Swimming in water teeming with jellyfish, and cycling and running in 30C heat the 24-year-old won the coveted prize by completing the 3km swim-80km cycle-20km run in 5hr 0min 8sec.

"It's a good achievement," she said.

"This is the first time I've done the worlds. I went there and didn't really know what to expect.

"The best leg I had was my biking. The run was just survival.

"My mum and dad were there, and so were my grandparents."

The race crowd was supportive, she said.

"The course was really spectator friendly so there were people everywhere."

Miss Edmondson, who has competed in triathlon events with distinction for the past eight years, said she would now turn her focus to her teaching, returning to work tomorrow. But she hoped to compete at world level again - "for sure".

A highlight of the victory was the collection of her gold medal when she felt the support of the New Zealand team, the male competitors performing a haka.

Hastings Girls High School principal Geraldine Travers was proud of her teacher's efforts.

 "It's absolutely amazing. In our next full school assembly we'll be giving her some credit. Our school's always honouring the achievements of our girls - to honour one of the staff members is quite lovely."

 The New Zealand team won 13 medals, including five golds.