A modest first up field in Saturday's inaugural Punakaiki Resort WildCoaster 109km road cycle from Greymouth to Westport but enought to 'test all systems' and cement the event on next year's calendar, albeit a bit early on October 4th. The Canterbury pair of Neil Sutherland and Oliver Pearce split from the field early on and had an all out battle up the undulating Coast Road only separated by Sutherland's sprint home.  It was a Pearce family dias benefit with Oliver's brother Thomas third home and Dad, Malcolm, was in the same bunch. 

 
Women's honours were more clear cut but again it was a Canterbury trifecta.  Susie Gowers went close to eclipsing the three hour mark and no doubt will be back in 2008 knowing now what the 'benchmark' will be.  Second placed Ruth Ball had a comfortable margin as did Rebecca Hensley from the rest of the women's field as she secured third. 

 
 
At stake for local riders was the 'Blowhard Trophy' with Grey District gaining 'bragging rights' after being named the top Coast Region.  Grey's first five riders 15hrs 52mins 26secs total time left Westland almost ten minutes in arrears with Buller not far behind.  The concept will be enhanced next year with ten riders times being counted - three of which will be women.

 
Relays had the luxury of spitting the distance, changing over at Punakaiki Resort and it was the hometown Runanga L & G combine (Glenn Speakman & Louise Mouslem) finishing just ahead of Greymouths Lattee Boys (Michael Thwaites & Glen Gibb) by a 'bike length'.
 
Most found the course challenging, a favourable tailwind helping them home to the welcome Whitebait Sandwich washed down with a Summer Lager courtesy of the WestCoast Brewery, but once 'fed and watered' many were ready to sign up to re-pedal it in ten months time. 
 
The National Heart Foundation was the chosen charity this year and benefitted by $675.
 
 
Men:
1        Neil Sutherland, Chch, 2.47.48
2        Oliver Pearce, Chch, 2.47.50
3        Thomas Pearce, Chch, 2.55.17
4       Tim Sikma, Westport, ST
5       Malcolm Pearce, Chch, ST
6       Jeff Best, Timaru, 2.57.06
7       Kevin O'Donnell, Franz Joseph, 2.58.04
8       Garth Wilson, Greymouth, 2.58.57
9        Alex Ball, Chch, 3.02.16
10      Peter Sinclair, Chch, 3.02.17  
 
Women:
1        Susie Gowers, Chch, 3.02.22
2        Ruth Ball, Chch, 3.14.11
3        Rebecca Hensley, Chch, 3.21.57
4        Robyn Abbey, Westport, 3.27.24
5        Anne Kerr, Hokitika, 3.27.34
6        Michelle Jacques, Ross, 3.29.26
7        Anna MacGougan, Timaru, 3.37.59
8        Julia Sanday, Chch, 3.50.06
9        Jo Holmes, Chch, 3.51.45
10       Glenice Powell, Waverley, 3.55.06
 
Relay:
1        L&G (Speakman/Mouslem), Runanga, 3.18.11
2        Lattee Boys (Thwaites/Gibb), Greymouth, 3.18.12
3        Sarah Caseley & Warren Gilbertson, Greymouth, 3.36.15
4        Wests Mugs (John Dixon/Warren Clark) Nelson, 3.42.52
5        Megasorearse (Sandra Farrell/Graeme Wylde), Greymouth, 3.43.03
 
Blowhard Trophy
1        Grey District: Garth Wilson, Ken Richardson, Leon Dawson, Kerry Calder, Jason Davidson, 15.52.26
2        Westland District: Kevin O'Donnell, Chris Yeats, David Smith, Tony Le Sueur, Ann Kerr, 16.02.17
3        Buller District: Tim Sikma, Win Teear, John Knudsen, John Bowen, Steven Rogers, 16.10.29
 
For full results visit www.nelsonevents.co.nz