Junior’s ‘incredible’ effort highlight of time trials

Participants from across the region competed in time trial speed skating at the third race of the Southern Endurance Series 2021 held in Timaru at the weekend.

The annual series is an expanded 10-part competition spread over winter 2021 and caters to a variety of races ranging from 100 kilometres, marathons (42.2km), 50km tri-skate races and time trials.

In race 3 of the series, in miserable conditions on Sunday, 30 competitors took part in the time trials.

Kaylum McAuley and Ella Benson took top honours in the open 21km solo road time trial in their respective categories.

McAuley won the open solo men’s 21km time trial in 40 minutes, 35 seconds, while Ella Benson took the open women’s 21km time trial race with 44.54.

In the under-15 (junior) category, Geraldine’s Grace Worner won the 10km time trial in 20.44.

Coach and event organiser Bill Begg praised Worner’s incredible outing in the time trials.

‘‘Grace Worner’s performance was the highlight of the day. It was undoubtedly the best among all categories,’’ he said.

While Brayden Teague, of South Canterbury, won the under 15 boys’ 10km time trial in 22.43, Callum Sandri, of Timaru, finished second with 23.03.

In the masters 21km time trial category, Shannell Rae cruised along with a first place finish in the women’s category with 50.58 and Ricky Purukama took top spot in the men’s category with 47.06.

Speaking about the complexities of time trials, Begg said they were ‘‘way different’’ from other sorts of races.

‘‘Time trials are comparatively different and require specific preparations.

‘‘It is different from the marathons. Generally not many people take part in time trials as they are generally hard. Given the weather was cold, the skaters were very impressive on the race day,’’ he said.

Begg also said a few participants had backed out due to the race being postponed.

‘‘The race had to be pushed away for a couple of weeks due to the flooding in South Canterbury. We had participants from nearby areas of Dunedin and Nelson, but they couldn’t make it this weekend,’’ he said.

Most of the races in the series will be in Timaru, with a couple in Blenheim and Waimate.

Time trial results:

Open Men 21km: Kaylum McAuley (Junior) 40.35.63, Ricky Purukama (Masters) 47.06.33, Daryl Mattingley (Masters) 53.34.88.

Open Women 21km: Ella Benson (Senior) 44.54.62, Jody Thompson (Junior) 46.54.92, Emily Thompson (Junior) 48.24.92

Masters Men 21km: Ricky

Purukama 47.06.33

Masters Women 21km: Shannell Rae 50.58.15

Under-15 Girls 10km: Grace Worner 20.44.94, Lauren Crawford 23.13.69, Ivy Tackney 23.30.06

Under-15 Boys 10km: Brayden Teague 22. 43.71, Callum Sandri 23.03 76, Duyoon Kim 24.45.40