Near‑perfect conditions greeted athletes at Ahuriri Beach, with a sheltered harbour swim, flat coastal bike and a foreshore run serving up fast racing and big crowds, exactly what Napier has become known for when it “turns it on” for triathlon. The Oceania Sprint Championship and Continental Cup race for Elite and U23 athletes headlined a big weekend of triathlon action for the growing Napier Triathlon Festival.
Elite Women: Aspen Anderson first Aussie home; Hill claims Oceania Elite title
Aspen Anderson delivered a strong performance to open her 2026 season, finishing 2nd overall in 58:19 to stand on the Continental Cup podium and secure the U23 Oceania Sprint Championship title. Anderson looked strong all day battling in the front pack but managing her effort to cross the line just 8 seconds behind the eventual winner Desirae Ridenour from Canada, just ahead of her Australian teammate, Richelle Hill.
Richelle Hill, fresh off her 2025 U23 World Championship win in Wollongong, was 3rd overall in 58:27, which made her the Oceania Elite Women’s Champion as the first Elite Oceania athlete across the line. Sophie Malowiecki, a former Australian Junior Champion and emerging long‑course contender followed closely in 58:33, taking third on the Oceania Elite podium and fourth overall. Charlotte Derbyshire (58:56) and Ellie Hoitink (59:30) rounded out a strong Australian showing inside the top ten overall.
Elite Men: Wilde wins; NZL sweep overall, Aussies feature on Oceania podiums
Olympic Silver medalist and 2025 T100 Champion, Hayden Wilde headlined the men’s race in Napier this afternoon. Dividing his racing calendar between short course and long course in 2026, the kiwi sensation took the tape with relative ease, with a gun time of 51:45, leading a New Zealand 1–2–3 with Saxon Morgan and Henry McMecking.
Veteran Aussie Lachlan Jones put in a promising performance after a challenging 2025 to finish 3rd on the Oceania Elite podium. Jones featured at the front of the race all day, alongside teammate Oscar Wootton who put together a strong race, crossing the line in 4th and earning himself a silver medal in the U23 Oceania Championships.
Next Up: Mixed Relay Oceania Championship
All athletes now reset for tomorrow’s Mixed Relay Championship, where Australia will look to convert today’s momentum into another set of podium performances.
Full results and splits:
👉 Women’s Results
👉 Men’s Results
