Australian Navy Brings Home Bronze

A fantastic start to the Arafura games has seen Navy bring home bronze in the men’s triathlon held in Darwin on May 8.

Thirty athletes representing the Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) rose early on the first day of competition to test their skills against participants from the 45 competing nations.

During the competition they swam 500m, rode 40km and ran 10km around the humid streets of Darwin.

Navy’s LSATA Andrew Wilkinson, HMAS Albatross, who came third in the 25-35 age group and forth overall said he was happy with his performance at the event.

“I was just really happy to get on the podium,” he said.

“This was my fifth Arafura games so I was stoked to get a medal.

LSATA Wilkinson has been competing in triathlons for 20 years and said he felt comfortable with his performance up until the run.

“I had a good swim and was fifth out of the water so I felt well placed,” he said.

“When I came out of the transition from the bike with Grant, who won the event, I was starting to struggle.

“I manage to sit on his shoulder for a couple of kilometers until he took off and I couldn’t hold the pace. In the end I ran at a pace I was comfortable with and hoped it would work.”

LSATA Wilkinson said he prepared for the triathlon by competing in other events and training.

“This year I tried to lead up to Arafura by competing in the Australian Defence S Triathlon Association nationals where I took out all three events, sprint, long course and olympic,” he said.

“I have also been working all three areas of the triathlon over the past few years to improve in all areas of the competition as swimming is usually my strong point.”
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Source: Australian Navy , May 11, 2011;