Ussher Defends Speight\'s Coast to Coast Title

Speights Coast to Coast

Ussher Defends Speight\'s Coast to Coast Title

Rachel Robertson / 12.02.2006

Ussher held off a strong challenge from Auckland\'s Gordon Walker and shut out the strong international challenge in the 243km event from Kumara Beach on the West Coast to Sumner beach.

Eight New Zealanders finished in the top ten with veteran Gordon Blythern (Matakana) third ahead of Richard Brunton and the first of the overseas competitors, Australian Jody Zerbst in 5th with Guy Andrews in 9th.

While the Kiwi men withstood the international onslaught, Canadian Emily Miazga became the first overseas athlete to win the women\'s title. She came from 10 minutes down on to the water and two minutes behind Tauranga\'s Anna Berthelsen going on to the final 70km bike to win comfortably.

Finland\'s Elena Rautila, partner of Ussher, moved into second place with a powerful final bike with Berthelsen finishing third and leading New Zealander.

It completed a great double for Ussher who was part of the winning New Zealand team in November\'s Adventure Racing World Championship on the West Coast.

Ussher hit the lead going on to the water at Mt. White Bridge with Walker closing from 12 minutes behind on the water to six minutes back at the finish of the final 70km cycle to Sumner. Both Ussher and Walker were some 40 minutes faster this year with Ussher winning in 11:05.06.See All Event Posts