Alexander was hotly tipped as one of the favourites this year following his second place in the 2007 event ??? which was the first time he had entered the race. Craig, known as Crowie, can now add the full Ironman world championship to the 70.3 title he won in 2006.

At the post race press conference Craig had this to say:
???Can you believe this, can you believe this? I still can’t. I have never suffered like today. The wind, the heat - horrible. I don’t know where I got the mental strength to get through.

“The last six miles I was in so much pain. I couldn’t feel my lips, my mouth, I had pins and needles everywhere. I can’t believe I made it. I’m still shell shocked because this has been my dream for so long it still feels like a dream. I can’t believe it happened.”

It was also a good day for seven-time Ironman New Zealand champion Cameron Brown, who put the disappointment of not finishing last year???s race behind him to finish in fifth. Cameron had issues with a slowly deflating tire on the bike leg, before running strongly with Craig Alexander through a number of the field. Eventually the 42 degree heat in the Energy Lab took its toll and Cameron dropped back to sixth, but was awarded fifth after another athlete was disqualified.

???Despite a bit of bad luck with the flat, I am extremely proud of my efforts and can hold my head high. I’d also like to thank everyone for their support, it has been overwhelming!???

Fellow New Zealander Gina Ferguson also had a fantastic result, finishing eighth in her first ever Ironman World Championship. Gina battled hard amongst the men in the swim, then into the winds on the bike, and eventually with stomach cramps and nutrition problems on the run.

???I was exhausted at the finish line. I have never been exhausted before and have always finished with plenty in reserve so at least I know I had given it my all so I am happy. I have a lot now that I can take away and try and improve upon for next year.???

Orca is official apparel sponsor to Bike NZ and provides the race gear for the entire squad. Orca developed a new type of track skinsuit that uses Orca’s revolutionary new AeroSkn material - which has an incredibly low drag coefficient.

The track cyclists have enjoyed fantastic performances at the Laoshan Velodrome, assisted by the AeroSkn-based skinsuits, with a silver medal for Hayden Roulston in the individual pursuit and bronze for the team pursuit.

You can read more about the skinsuit here: Kiwi cyclists claim secret weapon. And here: Bike NZ’s cutting edge new suits. Read more about New Zealand’s track cyclist success here.

The track skinsuits also gets a mention here. You can also check out video* of the track cyclists racing and getting their medals in the skinsuits here:

Men’s cycling pursuit medal ceremony.

Men’s cycling pursuit team in action.

The New Zealand triathlon team has also utlised Orca’s new AeroSkn. The material’s hydrodynamic qualities are as good as its aerodynamics, making it ideal for the swim, bike and run. The race suits are combined with Orca’s TriSkn for breathability and flexibility.

New Zealand triathletes have also had fantastic results, with Shane Reed first out of the water at the Ming Tomb Reservoir and Bevan Docherty running hard to get a bronze. Meanwhile, Andrea Hewitt and Debbie Tanner both achieved top 10 results in the women’s race.

You can see highlights of the women’s race here.

Look out at Orca stockists in coming months for products that utilise the revolutionary new AeroSkn.

* Please note - you may not be able to access the videos through the links above if you live outside of New Zealand.

July 18, 2008
Kris Gemmell - New Zealand

40 days and counting…

In the weekend I raced in the third round of the French grand prix in Beauvias, which is just out of Paris.

There were 10 guys on the start line that were off to Beijing in 5 and half weeks, and some of which “I’ll” say are the hitters of our sport. My training has been going really well up here in Font Romeu so I was looking to hit out. Both myself and my coach knew this would be a good race to test me out. And the fact it was a really strong field was an even better gauge.
In the past my biggest struggle when racing directly from altitude was my running speed. So the real test for me was - could I follow anyone that went off the front of the race especially at the start of the run!

My swim start was great and I got off the line well. I found some really good guys to follow and was sitting nicely. But at about half way through the 750 meters I got a nice square kick to the face. Nothing was damaged thank God!!, but it caused me too lose the feet I was on as I re-adjusted my goggles. I then ended up too wide around the 1st buoy and went from swimming in the top 5 to exiting the water around 20th or so. This is triathlon!!

If there is one thing I’ve learnt in these situations it?s ?do not panic!?.. I just say to myself quietly you’ll have to ride harder those first few km’s. I leaped on to my Avanti and rode directly towards the front. After a Km or so I was in the front group and leading up the first climb. I felt great the whole time on the bike and was able to follow all the attacks by others.

Of course the real show was yet to come, the run! The first few km’s were really fast. Former world champion Tim Don set the pace and is no doubt one of the fastest guys over the first few km’s in our sport. I tried to hang on with Tim and we cleared out very early in the run. I was on my limit early on to follow Tim. But we formed a nice gap on the rest after the halfway point. At about 3k Tim started to tire a bit so I moved to the front and took the lead. As I pushed to the front a gap opened back to Tim and the others. I felt good at this point and had a lot of control at this stage of the race - which was a great sign! With about a Km to go to the finish I could hear someone bridging up to me from behind. It was Alastair Brownlee another guy heading to Beijing. We ran the next 500 meters together until I started to sprint to the line. I managed to hold him out just as I did last year when I won the World Cup race in Rhodes, Greece.

From a personal stand point the race was exactly what I was after heading into Beijing. It confirmed again that I’m on the right track. And even ahead of where we hoped we would be at this time.

I’m now back in my training haunt Font Romeu for my last two weeks of altitude. I’ll then race in my second World Cup of the year in Kitzbuhel on the 20th of July. So until then enjoy those wintery days….

Kris

The winter range includes outer layer tops, including the Active Jacket and Vest. Constructed from Orca Re-Charge fabric, the top generates negative ions when you train, reducing stress and promoting fatigue recovery. The unique anti-bacterial, bonded construction wicks away moisture from inside, whilst protecting you from the elements. The Track Jacket is also perfect in changeable conditions, with a quick dry shell, and breathable full mesh lining.

There are mid layer garments including the Active Fleece, with it’s high-density, breathable and anti-pilling fleece keeping you warm and comfortable, as well as the long sleeve Sportive Top, which is perfect for indoor or outdoor training.

Worn under other garments, or used as a training top, the short and long sleeve Thermic Tops use an advanced thermal fabric to help regulate your body temperature. There are also base layer full length tights for men and women, which is the Orca Form compression fabric to maintain optimum muscle performance. A 3/4 length option is also available for women.

Finally there is the the women?s Zen Pant - perfect for yoga or pilates, going to the gym, or just relaxing around the house. The Zen Pant is made from a comfortable stretch knit fabric and features the classic yoga-style boot leg cut.

The Orca Winter 2008 Collection is available through Orca retailers around Australia. Click here to find your nearest Orca retailer.

Orca would like to wish the athletes all the best for success in their respective sports.

TRIATHLON

New Zealand
Kris Gemmell
Debbie Tanner
Shane Reed

Australia
Courtney Atkinson

Great Britain
Tim Don

Canada
Lauren Groves

Switzerland
Nicola Spirig

KAYAKING

New Zealand
Steve Ferguson
Mike Walker
Erin Taylor

CYCLING
Bike NZ has a number of individuals and teams that have qualified and will be racing in Orca gear.

If your story gets featured, you’ll get US$100 of Orca product for free!

Matthew Lalonde ? USA

Soon after graduating from college, I realized I was fat. As a swimmer in high school, I couldn?t gain weight if I tried. My daily lunch was often the cafeteria chicken sandwich, but I would replace the lettuce and tomato with french fries. The goal was to get as much mayo as possible into the sandwich. Even with these fat lunches, I never weighed more than 150 lbs until I graduated.

My eating habits were similar in college, but I no longer swam competitively. My jeans got tight, so I bought larger ones, rationalizing that I did not need larger pants, it?s just that they?re more comfortable. It was only when I saw a picture of myself at the beach on a vacation that I realized I was fat. I couldn?t ignore it anymore; I had to do something.

My ego had taken such a beating over the admission that I was fat, that I didn?t think I would be able to face how slow I was in the water. There was a treadmill in the basement of my building, so I started with a five minute run. Five minutes at five miles an hour was what I could do. I continued to run 3-4 days a week and the time went up. There was a stationary recumbent bike down there too. I?d get bored on the treadmill and go to the bike every other workout. I would bike for 30 minutes, then go to the treadmill for another 30 minutes. The weight was gradually coming off.

One day I remembered a conversation I had with one of my old swimming buddies at a bar one night a few years prior. He had started doing triathlons to stay in shape but, more importantly, he seemed happy and excited. I said I had always wanted to do one. Now, after re-gaining some semblance of fitness, I thought it might be possible. Soon after this realization, I bought a racing bicycle and an Orca Predator wetsuit. I entered the Lorain Sprint Triathlon in Ohio, my first race?and the race that precipitated an instant addiction to triathlon.

That was three years ago. I still use the same wetsuit and I still love racing. I?m a healthy 160 pounds and happier than I have ever been. And I don?t eat mayonnaise anymore.

Jo Hurst - Australia

I am a 40 year old mother of two gorgeous girls, wife of a very supportive husband and school principal.

Wind back the clock two years. I had started training with a personal trainer (PT) to lose weight. One day he said to me, what would you do if you could do it? I replied, “I’ve always thought a triathlon would be a massive achievement to do but there is no way I could do it.”

Well that was it - “Of course you could,” said my trainer (bless him). Making that commitment was the start of a year of training, first to lose body fat, gain muscle and then increase my fitness. I started swim training and was surprised that my body remembered what to do. My first real bike ride was on my husband?s mountain bike. My friend joined in with the training on her bike with a parcel rack on the back. We soon realised that new bikes were essential so we shopped and got ourselves a great deal.

Last summer saw us complete three Kurnell sprint series races individually and one as a team. We motivated eight girls to join us in a Nepean Enticer - it was a delight to watch my buddies cross the line and know I had helped them achieve something they thought impossible.

Since then, I have completed my PT certificate III and IV, started training clients and signed up to open my own Vision PT studio.

Send us your story.

The two records were set at Dean?s Blue Hole in the Bahamas at the Vertical Blue 2008 Invitational Freediving Competition. The first record William set was 86 metres for the ?constant weight (no fins) category, holding his breath for 3min 20sec as he descended and ascended unassisted by any weights, fins or a line. Three days later he broke the ?free immersion? record, pulling himself down a line to 107 metres and then back up to the surface.

William uses an Orca Apex 2 for freediving as it provides ideal hydrodynamics, with a balance of speed, flexibility, buoyancy and protection from the cold. He now gets a few months off before heading to Egypt for the AIDA Team World Champs in September.

Fellow New Zealander Kathyrn McPhee, who also uses Orca wetsuits, was also at the competition and was successful in breaking a number of national records. In the free immersion category Kathryn dove to 57 metres, beating the previous New Zealand record by a massive 17 metres. She also set a national record in the ?constant weight (with a mono-fin)? category at 65 metres and for ?constant weight (no fins) at 50m.

Check out William?s website www.verticalblue.net for more information about the competition and the sport of freediving.

To view the video simply click on the image below:

The photoshoot with Macca also included Kona runner-up and 2006 World 70.3 World Champion Craig Alexander. Orca is delighted to have two of the world?s top endurance distance triathletes as part of its team and was grateful they could both give up some precious time for the photoshoot. You?ll see them both featuring in advertising and promotions throughout 2008. Here are some behind the scenes shots.

Craig Alexander gets some make up prior to the shoot

Craig getting in some crunches in the studio

Macca and Crowie in between shots

One of the shots after it had been re-touched

As any New Zealand cyclist or runner will agree, making yourself as visible as possible to motorists is crucial in staying safe on the roads ? particularly in winter. The new Orca Visibility Vest and Jacket come in a striking Neon Lime colourway, and include safety reflective elements on the front and back. The material is water-resistant and the both the vest and jacket feature a back mesh ventilation panel. Both can also be packed into themselves and stowed easily ready for a change in weather conditions or light levels. The jacket also has thumb loops to keep the sleeves in place.

A new addition to the cycling range is the Equip Cycling Jersey. Again bright colours have been introduced with Ultra-Marine and Lime Punch for men and Virtual Pink and Dark Shadow for women. The jersey is constructed from Dri-Lite material, making it lightweight and moisture wicking. It features an invisible front zip, rear pockets and a stretch mesh back panel.

In the training range the popular Active Jacket returns, while active people can stay warm with the Thermic Top in short and long sleeve and Active Fleece. New to the women?s range is the Zen Pant ? perfect for yoga or pilates, going to the gym, or just relaxing around the house. The Zen Pant is made from a comfortable stretch knit fabric and features the classic yoga-style boot leg cut.

The Orca Winter 2008 Collection is available through Orca retailers around New Zealand and online at Orca.com. In the last year 15 stores around the country have become Orca Pro Stores. This means they carry a significant selection of Orca products and can easily order in products or sizes if they are not already available.

The current Orca Pro Stores are:

AUCKLAND
iBIKE
66 Parnell Rd
09 307 9400

T3
66 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden
09 638 4265

VELO
60 Hobson St, Auckland City
09 307 0864

HAMILTON
ENDURANCE SPORT
Cnr Tristram and Clarence St,
07 839 6677

TAURANGA
WRIGHTS SPORTS
90 Devonport St
07 578 2288

MT MANGANUI
AVANTIPLUS MT MANGANUI
1A Owens Place
07 574 6032

HAWKES BAY
REVOLUTION BIKES
17 Napier Road,
06 877 8477

ROTORUA
OUTDOORSMAN HEADQUARTERS
6 Tarawera Rd,
07 345 9333

TARANAKI
02 PROJECT
377A Broadway South, Stratford

WELLINGTON
ROCKET BIKES
Unit 7 Airport Retail Park, Cnr George Bolt & Cochrance St, Lyall Bay
04 385 2779

THE SWIM SHOP
132 Oriental Parade, Wellington City
04 385 0362

NELSON
STIRLING SPORTS
247 Trafalgar St,
03 548 3974

CHRISTCHURCH
BIKERIGHT
433 St Asaph Street,
03 374 6045

FRONT RUNNER
79 Lichfield St
03 366 7995

INVERCARGILL
H and J’s OUTDOOR WORLD
Tay St, Invercargill
03 214 2052

Having proved incredibly popular with endurance distance swimmers and those looking for all the buoyancy they can get the Orca 3.8 has been enhanced further in 2008. The AirLite panels that Orca first introduced to the triathlon world have been increased to include a butt panel, helping to lift you into an even better swimming position. The front of the wetsuit has been modified to include the CardioFlex chest panel for increased flexibility. The DuoSmooth neck seal has also been modified to make it more comfortable and durable. The 3.8 is the wetsuit of choice for the top two Ironman distance triathletes in 2007, World Champion Chris McCormack and runner-up Craig Alexander.

The Apex 2 also benefits from the new DuoSmooth neck seal and also features a new HydroKick leg panel, to increase power with each kick. The distinctive forearm panel has been given a new colourway. The Apex 2 continues to set the standard for flexibility amongst triathlon wetsuits and is the preferred wetsuit for some of the world?s leading triathletes, including ITU competitors Tim Don, Kris Gemmell, Debbie Tanner and Sarah McLarty and one of fastest endurance distance swimmers in the world, Kieran Doe.

The Orca Sonar has been given a distinctive new look, with a graphic detailing on the shoulder, inspired by the indigenous people of Orca?s home country, New Zealand. Orca also has a new entry-level wetsuit, the Equip, constructed from a performance-quality neoprene and flexible underarm panels.

A new member of the Orca family is the RS1 range. The RS1 badge is applied to Orca products that have been race-tuned to provide the ultimate in performance. RS1 garments use the latest in fabric technology and construction techniques to give you the advantage. The current RS1 range includes the non-wetsuit swim legal SWIMSKN, and the all new FULLSKN and FREESKN. These are constructed from 1mm neoprene and are perfect for those transitioning to open water swimming, training in warmer waters, or for fast swimmers who want the benefits of SCS-coated neoprene, without too much restriction.

TRIATHLON

For 2008 Orca has introduced a new range, which replaces the existing Pro and Elite ranges, called Perform. All the new garments in the Perform range are constructed from the latest in fabric technologies and have been designed primarily for use in short course racing. Many of the garments feature a longer more swim-specific leg cut for more speed through the water. The Perform range has been designed in a classic minimalist Orca style, with the focus placed firmly on the technology and performance of the garments.

Following a successful first season the 226 range has been expanded and improved. 226 garments are designed primarily with endurance distance triathletes in mind ? 226 being the number of kilometres in a long distance race. They are also popular with those who prefer garments with more breathable panels, safety reflective elements and technical features. The women?s range now includes a tri singlet with internal support, tri top and tri pants.

The Race range has been the trusted tri garment of choice for thousands of people over the last few years, and includes Orca?s biggest selection of products. In 2008 the range includes some vibrant new colourways and refinements to the most popular Orca tri garments.

Equip is the new range for those taking their first steps into triathlon and also for people who want a durable and comfortable training garment.