This week we preview the Capital Classic and upcoming events. Unfortunately due to the Alert Level 2 restrictions in Auckland, the decision was made to cancel McKinnon Shield 8 that was scheduled for Saturday. So, lets get onto the Capital Classic from Wellington. It is one of the best one day meetings in New Zealand and Auckland athletes are well represented across all events. As we know this meet is part of the Oceania Area Permit Series.

Women’s Events

100m Hurdles – Amy Robertson, Alexandra Hyland and Zoe Taylor have entered. Its a small but quality field of 5. Amy has the fastest time in 2021 with a 13.60 from late January in Christchurch. While Alex has a best time of 15.13 from the Auckland Championships and Zoe recorded 15.14 at the Porritt Classic last weekend. The Hurdles is set down for 6.10pm.

400m – Both Brooke Cull and Carmyn Smart have entered. Carmyn’s best time was achieved at the Auckland Championships with a PB performance of 54.67 which leaves her second on the 2021 list. Brooke ran a 57.51 last weekend and will be looking to move up the ranking list with another good performance. Start time 6.35pm.

800m – Sophie Atkinson, Peyton Leigh and Kimberley May are set to start the two lap event. Kimberley sits 9th with 2:12.16 while Sophie sits 10th in 2021 with 2:12.30. Peyton ran a 4.29.00 over 1500m last weekend in Hamilton and has a PB of 2:12.48. It will be a very competitive race and the gun will fire at 7.05pm

100m – With no Zoe Hobbs this weekend. the door has been thrown wide open for someone else to step up and take the win. Natasha Eady, Briana Stephenson, Zoe Taylor and Livvy Wilson have all been put into the A race. Natasha will go in favourite after recording a 11.77 at Potts Classic a few weeks ago but will be tested by Rosie Elliot of Canterbury. Briana and Livvy were only separated last weekend in the overall results by 0.01 so all going to plan the photo finish judges will be tested. Make sure you’re tuned into the live stream for 7.15pm.

Hammer – Nicole Bradley goes into the Hammer sitting third in 2021 with a best throw last weekend of 60.54m. Lauren Bruce is the favourite while Julia Ratcliffe hasn’t entered.

Pole Vault – It’s an all Auckland field for the Pole Vault. Oliva McTaggart and Imogen Ayris will go head to head again as they continue to build towards the National Championships. Oliva Recently jumped 4.55m at the Auckland Championships while Imogen jumped a 4.50m in November. Resident photographer, Alisha Lovrich, Jessica Strick and Isabella Murrell will all be looking for good performances.

Long Jump – Briana Stephenson, Zoe Taylor and Andrea McDowell are set to compete in the sand at 5.15pm. Briana has a best of 5.87m this year, Zoe has achieved a 5.61m while Andrea last jumped at the Nationals with a 5.15m.

Discus – Savanah Scheen is the only Auckland athlete in this event. She has continued to improve over the last few years. She leads the 2021 list with a best of 54.48m set in January in Tauranga. Last week she won the event at Porritt Classic with a 53.10m. The Discus is due to start at 6.30pm.

High Jump – Alexandra Hyland and Imogen Skelton will compete in the High Jump. Imogen has a best this year of 1.76m from the ITM In Christchurch. Alexandra has jumped 1.64m this year.

Men’s Events

400m – Hamish Gill must of enjoyed his debut over the 1 lap distance and has decided to back up from last weekend. He surprised the field in Hamilton. Can he do it again at Wellington? He goes in as the number 1 athlete in 2021. Also entered from Auckland are Luke Mercieca, and James Robertson. James’ best this year is 49.81 while Luke ran 48.04 in 2020 at the Nationals.

100m – Hamish Gill, Edward Osei-Nketia, Dominic Overend. Abhijeet Pramar and Mogammad Smith have all entered the 100m. Edward will continue his newly found rivarly with Tiaan from Canterbury. Edward won last weekend with a 10.28. The meet record is 10.36.

1500m – James Harding is the only Aucklander entered in the event. He booked his ticket to Kenya last weekend over 800m. Can he do it again in the 1500m. The World Athletics entry standard is 3.48.00.

Hammer – Anthony Nobilo heads the field with a best of 62.68m in 2021, nearly 6m in front of his nearest competitor.

High Jump – Tom Moloney and Jayden Williamson have entered. Tom who was recently inducted into the 2m club at the McKinnon Shield meet in January. Jayden is coming off his win at the NZ Schools Championships with a 2.11m. Former Aucklander Hamish Kerr will be looking to take Brandon Starc’s meet record of 2.26m

Pole Vault – Just three athletes have entered the Pole Vault with James Steyn and Ettiene Du Preez set to compete aginst Max Atwell of Canterbury. James comes in with a best this year of 5.15m at the Potts Classic, while Ettiene comes to Wellington with a best of 4.70m at the Auckland Championships.

Discus – Connor Bell headlines the Men’s Discus alongside Alexander Parkinson. Connor is the leading thrower in 2021 and has a best of 64.29m set in Hastings. He is creeping closer to the National Record which is 65.03m held by Ian Winchester of Counties Manukau set back in 2002. Alexander is keeping Connor honest with a best throw this year of 58.25m.

Triple Jump – Scott Thomson formerly of Mana Athletics Club, now Auckland City Athletics, is currently second on the 2021 list with a 14.28m at the Cooks Classic. He was first until Christopher Goodwin of Waikato/BOP broke the 15m barrier last weekend in the USA.

The meet is being streamed on Sky Sport Next and is starting at 4.55pm.

Live Stream – Click here

Live Results – Click here

Upcoming Events

Sunday 21st February – Entries close for the 2021 Jennian Homes NZ T&F Championships

Thursday 25th February – Coles Super Summer Series from Canberra, ACT – Live Stream available via the Athletics Australia YouTube

Friday 26th-Sunday 28th February – NZ Masters Athletics Championships – TET Stadium, Inglewood

Saturday 27th February – Sir Graeme Douglas at Trusts Stadium, Waitakere – There is now no cost for tickets to the event so come along and see some awesome T&F action.

Friday 5th – Sunday 7th March – 2021 Jennian Homes NZ T&F Championships – Mitre10 Sports Park, Hastings