Hayden Wilde started what could be another momentous triathlon season in the best way possible – a win on home soil.
The Kiwi superstar made an incredible comeback from what could have been career-threatening injuries last season, dominating the T100 series as he became world champion in that sphere.
He’ll likely have a dual focus in 2026 as he looks to defend that crown and also contend for a first World Triathlon Championship Series title as the Olympic build to LA2028 begins in earnest.
Taking control on the bike
Today [Sunday March 1st] saw him race a couple of levels below that in the Oceania Sprint Championships & Continental Cup in the art deco New Zealand town of Napier.
And the race went pretty much to plan. He was part of a big group after the swim and early on the bike before he chipped off the front.
That initial attack was brought back but he repeated the trick soon after and this time opened up a gap, meaning that by T2 he had around 10 seconds on his rivals.
And it was no surprise on the run to see him comfortably stay out in front, crossing the line in first to the delight of the home crown in 51 minutes and 46 seconds.
That was eight seconds clear of Saxon Morgan, who just pipped Henry McMecking for third in what was an all-New Zealand podium.
Morgan actually clocked the quickest 5k run – 14:53 to Wilde’s 15:00. Full results are here.
Home support
“It’s been super-nice to be home for quite some time and the crowds were fantastic today,” said Wilde afterwards.
It follows hot on the heels of his appearance last month in the New Zealand Elite Road National Championships.
He raced both the time trial, where he finished fourth, and the road race against his country’s top elite cyclists.
Next up is the WTCS opener in Abu Dhabi at the end of this month.
