Breakthrough win at Byron Bay Triathlon

ALSTONVILLE triathlete Francis Rupnik has claimed his first major win in the open men’s division at the Byron Bay Triathlon.

At 22, he is one of the youngest Northern Rivers athletes to win the event, which attracts professional triathletes from across the country.

Rupnik crossed the line nearly a minute ahead of Taylor Elms, who represented Australia at last year’s world triathlon long-distance championships.

He set the tone early with a strong swim leg that put him three minutes ahead of Elms and third-place finisher Jayden Berry.

Rupnik held on through the 40km bike and 10km run legs to win the race, which also included a 1.5km swim.

“It’s my first win and I’m really happy to come out on top there,” Rupnik said.

“Taylor is 36 and has a lot more experience than me, so it’s a really good race to win.

“The water temperature was great, and I was happy with my swim and the run.”

Rupnik grew up playing water polo and represented Queensland as a teenager before switching to triathlon in 2022. He is coached by former professional and two-time Byron Bay Triathlon winner Clayton Fettell.

Since the switch, Rupnik has already raced at the world championships in New Zealand and used the Byron Bay event as a lead-up to the Port Macquarie 70.3 event this weekend.

“Clayton is a good person to look up to, he has the knowledge and experience,” Rupnik said.

“I don’t race all year round, I might only look for about five big events each year.

“When I do I put everything into it and just want to keep learning and improving.”

In other results, professional triathlete Kerry Morris won the open women’s division, with Carragh Gordon second and Alexandra Osborne third.

Junior and senior competitors also featured strongly across age categories, with winners receiving free entry into next year’s event.ving free entry into next years event.