Gallagher And Beven In Triathlon Double

The Age

Monday March 18, 1996

Caroline Overington

Queenslanders Jacqui Gallagher and Brad Beven yesterday wrapped up the St George Bank triathlon grand prix series, each with a race to spare.

Gallagher and Beven, who both finished second at last year's world championships, were strong winners over Mooloolaba's Twin Waters resort course.

The circuit comprised a 300-metre swim in the hotel's lagoon, a 7.5 kilometre ride around the golf course and a two-kilometre run through the rain forest. The women covered the distance twice, the men three times.

Of their series victories, Gallagher said she was pleased but sad, while Beven admitted relief.

``Just look at the field," Beven said, ``it's a who's who of triathlon, so winning is brilliant."

Gallagher took victory in the absence of her great rivals, Emma Carney and Michellie Jones. But she is determined to be seen as one of the world's best triathletes.

``For sure, it would be better to win the series with both Emma and Michellie here, but you can only race who is here, " Gallagher said.

Carney pulled out of the series last week after breaking her shoulder blade while training on the bike. Jones, the defending champion, withdrew after finishing third in the first race.

Gallagher said her confidence as a triathlete had been boosted by Carney, who became world champion in her first race overseas in 1994.

``She felt that, because she was one of the best triathletes in Australia, she could be the best in the world, so she had the confidence to go and win the world championships," Gallagher said.

In the past 12 months, Gallagher has posted significant victories over Carney, in the grand prix series and at last year's world titles, where she was second and Carney seventh.

Does she feel she is at the same level?

``I'm hoping so. She's obviously been there a lot longer and is more comfortable with her position there. I still have to cement myself in the eyes of everybody," Gallagher said.

``But that's just a matter of time. I think I have improvement in me. There are areas I want to get stronger in. My peak is about 18 months away."

Gallagher needed to finish only seventh or better in yesterday's race to wrap up the series.

The modern pentathlete Nicole Andronicus was granted a wildcard for yesterday's event but was eliminated after failing to finish in the top eight in the first lap of the course.

``I expected it to be hard and it was," she said, ``but the idea of being a triathlete excites me. It might be my future."

In the men's event, Beven conserved his energy in the first two course laps, concerned only about qualifying for the final.

``It's hard when you keep cutting down the field," he said of the 10 people eliminated after the first lap, and another five after the second, with only 10 making the final.

``I wanted to make sure I qualified but I had to work hard to stay in the race. I figured it was always going to come down to the run in the final, so I wanted to be ready."

The final of the grand prix series will be held in Sydney next week, with Melanie Mitchell, Rina Hill and Kim Carter fighting for second place in the women's competition, and Greg Welch and Miles Stewart aiming to finish second in the men's.

© 1996 The Age

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