Wind sets the tone

Story by: GREG LAUTENSLAGER - Photo by: Patrick Hamilton

Senior athletics returned to Saxton Field last night, and so did a cruel southerly wind.

The breeze blew over the infield speaker and into the runners' faces as they jetted down the home stretch at the Athletics Nelson Twilight Series Track and Field Meet.

Dee Anderson stated the obvious after winning the women's 100m hurdles, the meet's first event, in 18.13sec. "That wind is really tough," said Anderson, who also won the women's 60m in 8.68sec.

A similar wind played havoc at the last Twilight Series meet on December 2. There is very little to block the wind at the south end of the oval – unlike the north end, which is blanketed by tall trees.

Alex Jordan, who won the men's 100m in 11.28sec and the 200m in 22.68sec, said he was not bothered by the wind.

He used the meet as a tune-up for next week's Asics Athletics New Zealand Grand Prix Track and Field series meetings in Wellington and Whanganui.

Following some good pacemaking from needed wind-blocker Philippe Kreutz, Ewoud Noordeloos won the men's 800m in 2min 6.05sec. Phil Costley won the mile in 4min 38.48sec.

Dale Pritchard continued his Twilight Series dominance in the throwing events, winning the shot put with 13.39m and the discus with 43.97m. Brodie Hewlett won the long jump with 5.89m, and Chloe Hall won the women's long jump with a leap of 4.40m.

Most of the athletes said they would return for the next Twilight Series meet on February 3, when the annual distance medley relay will be held.

The competitors will run legs of 1200m, 400m, 800m and 1600m, and the teams will be drawn evenly from a pool of runners.

Costley told the meet director he would return on one condition. "Don't bring the wind with you next time."

RESULTS 100m hurdles: Women - Dee Anderson, 18.13sec. 100m: Women - Hannah Sheperd, 14.61sec, 1. Men (Heat 1) - Alex Jordan, 11.28sec, 1; Brodie Hewlett, 11.66sec, 2; Jonas Kale, 12.24sec, 3. Men 16: (Heat 2) Brodie Hana, 13.45sec, 1; Philippe Kreutz, 15.00sec, 2; Edouard Depret, 15.66sec, 3. 60m: Women - Dee Anderson, 8.68sec, 1; Hannah Sheperd, 8.97sec, 2. Men - Brodie Hana, 8.44sec, 1. 200m: Men - Alex Jordan, 22.68sec, 1. 800m: Men - Ewoud Noordeloos, 2min 6.05sec, 1; Braedon Botica, 2min 7.96sec, 2. Mile: Men - Phil Costley, 4min 38.48sec, 1. Discus: Women - Tayler Boeyen, 22.94m, 1. Men - Dale Pritchard, 43.97m, 1; Tony Anderson, 34.41m, 2. Boys' under-14 - Riley Boeyen, 24.78m, 1. Shot put: Senior men - Dale Pritchard, 13.39m, 1; Tony Anderson, 9.14m, 2. Men 16 - Brodie Hana, 9.08m, 1; Christian Jenner, 8.89m, 2. Long jump: Women - Chloe Hall, 4.40m, 1. Men - Chris Brake, 5.28m, 1; Brodie Hewlett, 5.89m, 1; Chris Brake, 5.85m, 2.