Good advice spurs on triathlete
Promising young Southland sportsman Jaxon Taylor proved he’s one to watch in Winton recently. Jamie Searle reports.
Southland’s top secondary schools triathlete says advice from Academy Southland has helped him deal with shin splints.
The splints have troubled Jaxon Taylor since his memorable sixth at the world triathlon championships on the Gold Coast in September. An intensive training programme for the championships took its toll but exercises, massage and anti-inflammatory ointment, recommended by the academy’s advisers, have worked.
New shoes and insoles have also aided his recovery.
‘‘Academy Southland help you through everything,’’ Jaxon, 17, said.
He won the under-19 boys’ section at the Southland secondary schools triathlon championships in Winton on Friday. He didn’t compete at the Southland Boys’ High School’s track and field day at Surrey Park yesterday, preferring to rest in preparation for the South Island secondary schools triathlon championships at Oamaru on Sunday.
Setting fast times is important in each of the three disciplines of triathlons – running, swimming and cycling.
The deputy head boy at Southland BHS said he learned a few time-saving ideas at the world triathlon last year. He bought a cycle helmet with a magnet to fasten the chin strap instead of a buckle. Jaxon noticed some of his rivals using rubber bands to secure their feet in shoes, rather than spending time doing up laces.
‘‘It was a really cool experience . . . I learned a lot.’’
His sister Kennedy, 13, also competes in triathlons and she won the under-14 girls’ section at Winton last week.
Jaxon hopes to qualify for this year’s world champs in Switzerland in September. Another important target for him is the New Zealand secondary schools championships at New Plymouth on March 29-30.
Lachie Baird, who finished second to Jaxon at Winton, is also competing at the South Island secondary schools championships at Oamaru.
A Verdon College student, Lachie is not sure if he can turn the tables on Jaxon this weekend.
‘‘It’ll be a good battle,’’ Lachie, 16, said. ‘‘We’re good friends. He’s got an extra year on me but the [ability] gap between us is closing.’’
Lachie also had a win this month in the under-19 boys’ grade at the Challenge Wanaka secondary schools championships.
He and Jaxon said to be competitive in triathlons, dedication and many hours of training were needed.
‘‘It takes a lot of commitment,’’ Lachie said.
Meanwhile, it was a big few days for St Peters College’s Sophie Shallard.
After winning the individual girls’ section at the triathlon in Winton on Friday, she won the under-16 girls’ grade at the Otago/Southland secondary schools waterskiing championships at Perkins Pond, near Millers Flat, on Sunday.