Teenage Triathlete Places Second at World Champs

NZ Teenage Triathlete Places Second at World Championship

Danielle McKenzie’s outstanding effort at the 2010 Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series in Hungary last week earned her second place in the under 19 age group in the sprint distance event.

At 16, Danielle was the youngest New Zealand team competitor and one of the youngest competing internationally. It was also her first time racing overseas.

“The conditions were really testing,” said Danielle. “It was raining, which made the roads slippery, and the water temperature was only 15 degrees – so really cold.”

Danielle was third out of the water in the 750 metre swim heat and second onto her bike.

“I managed to extend my lead on the 20 kilometre bike ride over the rest of the field,” she adds. “I kept pace during the 5 kilometre run and managed to maintain second place until the finish line. I was blown away by the support as I crossed the finish line – I’m still buzzing.

“I’m really proud of the other New Zealand competitors who did so well at the Worlds this year. A big thanks to SUBWAY® restaurants for their support and helping me get to Hungary, my coach Ally Bloggs and my mum and dad.”

SUBWAY® restaurants announced their sponsorship of Danielle earlier this month.

“We’re thrilled for Danielle,” said David Herrick, SUBWAY® restaurants’ Marketing Manager. “Second place is an outstanding result and we’re all really proud of her.”

Danielle is a Year 11 student at Rangitoto College. She has been training for triathlons for two years and is hoping compete at the secondary schools multi-sport nationals at Karapiro in October. Danielle will trial for the New Zealand Development Surf Lifesaving team in early December and also hopes to qualify once again for the World Triathlon Championships in Beijing in September 2011.

Danielle is on her school’s high-performance squad and trains at the Millennium Stadium on Auckland’s North Shore. She counts skiing and waterskiing amongst her hobbies.

With over 200 SUBWAY® restaurants across New Zealand, SUBWAY® restaurants were earlier this year voted New Zealand’s number one trusted fast food brand for the second year straight according to the Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brands Survey.

ENDS

© Scoop Media