Running parallel to the World Cup action in Napier were the Oceania Junior Championships. Just as Australia enjoyed a double victory in the World Cup events (through Sophie Linn and Callum McClusky), they left Napier with both Junior golds too.
Aspen Anderson was a class apart in the women’s event. The Commonwealth Youth Games champion made it into a five athlete breakaway alongside Alexandra Field, Grace Henry, Hayley Cromwell and Isla Watson.
Watson was the fastest swimmer of the quintet (10:49), although the quickest swimmer of the field was actually Hannah Stevenson (10:48). On the bike, though, the front five separated themselves. By the time they arrived in T2, they led by the best part of 90 seconds.
Then, on the run, Anderson unleashed a dominant split. In many ways, it called back to how Hannah Prosser of New Zealand won the title a year prior. After logging the fastest bike split of the field (32:37), Anderson scorched clear to win by 1 minute 38 seconds.
Her run split of 18:33 was actually the second quickest of the day. Olivia Rooney logged an 18:32 split to take the top time. Nevertheless, Anderson’s display was certainly commanding.
Her running ability should be of little surprise given that she competed at the World Junior Cross Country Championships in 2023. When the World Junior Championships in triathlon come later in the year, the young Australian will be one to watch.
Watson then out-duelled Cromwell to take the silver medal. Cromwell took the bronze as well as the top female finish from the home team.
In the men’s race, the New Zealand pair of Benjamin Airey and Finnley Oliver seemed determined to settle the gold between themselves. The two athletes represented New Zealand at the World Junior Championships last year and were in fine fettle in the early stages.
Both clocked 9:25 for the 750m to earn a 10 second lead. Over the course of the 20km bike, the first defended and then extended their lead to 20 seconds.
Having nailed their breakaway, Airey and Oliver were set to battle for the gold.
Then Jack Woodberry happened.
The young Australia detonated the run with an extraordinary 15:14 split. He was 61 seconds faster than Oliver who was the fastest runner of the lead pair. For context, Woodberry was also the only man to run under 16 minutes in the Junior men’s race. It was a fantastic run and it carried him all the way to the title.
Oliver crossed 35 seconds later to take the silver medal while Airey held on for bronze. It would have been understandable, though, had the pair been somewhat shell-shocked after Woodberry’s showing.
It was quite a performance from the Australian youngster who, being born in 2008, will still be eligible for Junior competition in three years.
The Australian team can therefore leave Napier immensely satisfied with the form of their Senior athletes and the immense prospects they have in the Junior ranks.
View the full results here.
