Smit retains Sylvia Potts Classic title - Printable Version +- Running Information Forums (https://www.time-to-run.com/forums) +-- Forum: Country and General Discussion (https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Forum-Country-and-General-Discussion) +--- Forum: New Zealand (https://www.time-to-run.com/forums/Forum-New-Zealand) +--- Thread: Smit retains Sylvia Potts Classic title (/Thread-Smit-retains-Sylvia-Potts-Classic-title)

Smit retains Sylvia Potts Classic title - TheEd - 25-01-2011 HASTINGS Sylvia Potts Classic, Asics Athletics New Zealand Grand Prix Round 1, Regional Sports Park – 22 January 2011 Angela Smit held on to retain the Sylvia Potts Memorial Trophy in the annual women’s 800m at the Regional Sports Park in the Hawkes Bay on Saturday. The 19 year old from Christchurch went out fast from the start and led throughout holding out a spirited challenge from Australian Jenny Blundell over the closing stages. Smit recorded 2m 9.06s, about a second slower than her winning time last year. Blundell was not far behind in 2m 9.69s with Canterbury’s Hannah Newbould third in 2m 11.71s. Smit was pleased with her performance setting her up for another crack at the distance in Wellington on Friday evening. “My coach told me to go out hard with the rain and stuff as well and just sit in front. The first lap was about 61 seconds and when I heard that time I just fought it as hard as I could. “I could hear the others coming in behind me, especially with 250 metres to go, I got quite panicked and just gave it everything,” said Smit. National 1500m champion Hamish Carson showed a return to form following an injury that had him sidelined for the early part of the season. Carson, from Wellington, won the 1500m in 3m 54.72s heading in leading Australian junior 800m exponent Alex Rowe who recorded 3m 56.99s. “I had a stress fracture in my fibular but it’s all better now – it is good to be back on the track,” said Carson. “Arch (Jelley) my coach just wanted me to go for the win today; we weren’t going for the fast time even though there was that big prize money on offer,” he added. A $1000 was on offer if the winning time was less than 3m 38.25s. Carson will next race in the New Zealand 3000m championship in Wellington on Friday. Australian athlete Nicholas Hough held out Joseph Millar in the 100m in 10.96s (-1.7), Millar later ran solo 200m in 22.56s (-1.8) in the 2 x 100m relay. Chloe Jamieson of Australia won the women’s 400m in 58.71s. Michelle Jenneke of Australia won the W19 100m hurdles in 14.95s (-1.6) and Australia’s Brooke Stratton won the long jump with 5.78m (+0.4). Kim Mulhall of Australia won the women’s shot put with 13.94m and discus throw 50.67m. Tom Walsh of South Canterbury collected the senior shot with 16.85m. Keri Tongalea of Waitakere won the senior discus with a throw of 46.51m.