Oldfield Pushes For Repeat Win

The Sunday Age

Sunday January 11, 2009

Nick Sheridan

WHILE the rest of us were enjoying that second serve of pudding over Christmas, triathlete Madeleine Oldfield was out on her bike making sure she would be in top shape for the third race of the Gatorade triathlon series which takes place at Sandringham today.

Despite her efforts, which included regular training while on holiday in Falls Creek, Oldfield is circumspect about her chances in today's race.

The 21-year-old came from nowhere to win the event last year - her first year of competing in triathlons - and this year has her sights set on a big result in the national series, which kicks off in Canberra later this month.

Oldfield has been maintaining her strict training regime over the summer break, training two to three times a day, but said she was keeping her expectations in check about where she might finish.

"Hoping to (win), yeah, (but I'm) just using this race more as a preparation for my national series race on Australia Day weekend in Canberra ... this weekend I'll just go out and do the best I can and if I podium, then I do, but if I don't, so long as I've given 100per cent I'll be happy with that," she said.

Oldfield will be joined by about 2000 competitors on the course today, some of whom will be racing in Melbourne's only Olympic-length triathlon, while many others will take part in the shorter event. -- NICK SHERIDAN

TRIATHLON SERIES

RACE 3

SANDRINGHAM, TODAY

STARTS: Olympic distance (swim 1500 metres, cycle 40 kilometres, run 10 kilometres) 7.15am

Sprint distance (swim 750 metres, cycle 20 kilometres, run 5 kilometres) 8.15am

Presentations 10.30am

© 2009 The Sunday Age

Back to News Index | Back to Home