mmg.com.au

A teenager and the region’s top triathlete took top honours in the latest Sunset Series round at Aquamoves last night.

Female competitors began eight minutes and 10 seconds before their male rivals, which set the stage for an exciting match race between Nathalia-based rising star Matilda Terry and Erin McHugh.

McHugh narrowly beat Terry out of the water, but Terry overtook her on the bike and extended her lead on the run to stop the clock at 27min and 40sec.

McHugh (28:28) was next home ahead of Jo Turner (30:45), Alice Gunn (31:45) and Jenette Serra (32:18).

The first man to finish was Ardmona’s Jason Shields (24:36), who has taken the mantle from relocated Anthony Rule as Shepparton Tri Club’s No.1 competitor.

Shields, 36, didn’t have it all his own way, though.

He trailed Stuart Shaw out of the pool and it wasn’t until after the run began that he shook runner-up Danny Muldeary (25:09), with Wade Hicks (26:31) more than a minute further back.

‘‘I’m feeling really good. I did a pretty good time trial at the weekend on the bike and I’m pretty pumped,’’ Shields said.

‘‘I’m tired, but last week I finished seven weeks of a big block of training and now I’ll freshen up (for Ironman New Zealand on March 2).

‘‘I haven’t done any (Shepparton Tri Club) events up until this year and it’s just about supporting the local community.’’

Shields will next contest the 10km run in the Geelong Multi Sport Festival on Saturday before completing the swim and bike legs in the Geelong Long Course race on Sunday.

His wife, Jae-min Bok, will do the 21km run.

Terry, who turns 17 in April, has taken the opportunity during the recent school holidays to increase her training and competition load.

Last night’s result was a just reward for that dedication.

‘‘It was good, but pretty tough. Jacinta (Collier) usually beats me, but she wasn’t here tonight and Erin and I are usually together and it’s always a good race,’’ Terry said.

‘‘I was just in front coming into transition and didn’t look behind (on the run leg) until I got to the bridge, because I thought she was catching me.’’

Terry is involved with both the Echuca and Shepparton triathlon clubs.

The Year 11 St Mary of the Angels Secondary College student is competing in the Olympic distance triathlon at Geelong on Sunday and the under-19 event at next month’s ITU Triathlon World Cup series race at Mooloolaba.