Athletes battle the wind

The athletes returned in force for Wednesday’s Athletics Nelson Twilight Series Meet, and so did the wind.

This wind was a unique northeasterly, cool and swirling, and unable to cause any wind-aided marks in the sprints or jumps.

Some events had a slight tailwind and others a headwind.

The breeze seemed to agree mostly with the throwers. Brooke Robertson tossed a personal best 33.75m to win the women’s discus. Joe Ford surpassed his best North Island throw by 2m by taking out the men’s discus with 41.16m.

Robertson also finished second to Tavania Thorn (10.64m) in the shot put.

Bailey Cotton launched 13.07m to win the men’s shot put and also won the 100m from 60m winner Alex Dawson in 11.66sec and the 400m from Mitchell Chandler in 53.60sec.

Amanda Fitisemanu won the women’s 60m in 8.18sec and 100m in 13.07sec.

Izzy Neal returned to competition, winning the women’s 400m in 62.43sec.

Jacob Bryan won the men’s long jump with 5.52m and high jump with 1.65m. Lee-ann McKenzie also cleared 1.65m to win the women’s high jump.

Ryan Churchill flew 12.55m to win the men’s triple jump. Brian Kemp battled the strong winds to be first across the finish line of the 1500m in 4min 54.70sec.

Athletes will compete next in the Athletics Nelson Club Championships, which will be held on February 17 and 24 at the Saxton Field Athletics Track from 6pm.