Atkinson, Luxford win triathlon titles

Beijing Olympian Courtney Atkinson survived two close calls to win his fourth
Australian sprint-distance triathlon championship.
First, his flight from the Gold Coast was cancelled on Saturday night and he arrived
in Hobart only two hours before the race started on Sunday afternoon.
Then, he had a repeat of last year's exciting finish, also at Hobart, outsprinting
fellow Queenslander Dan Wilson to win by just one second.
Former world No.1 and Commonwealth Games representative Annabel Luxford had a much
easier win as she ramps up her comeback from injury and illness.
Atkinson said there was "a big doubt" he would win with about 100m left, but he
enjoyed the hitout.
"I loved that today, I loved the pace of the race and the battle with Dan," Atkinson
said.
"It is very, very early in the season for me and I have only been training for about
a month.
"It was a lot of hard work, the pace was on and it was probably a bit above what I
am doing, but it was a good start.
"You know, there's always a little doubt in your mind and with a hundred metres (to
go) today, there was a big doubt."
Atkinson won in 55 minutes and 30 seconds, with Wilson a second behind and
Brisbane's Josh Amberger third in 56:09.
Luxford, also from Brisbane, led the women's race from the start and won easily in
one hour three minutes and 41 seconds.
Chilean Barbara Riveros-Diaz was second in 1:04.35 and another Queensland, Sarah
Crowley, rounded out the podium with her time of 1:04:40.
"I had no idea how I would go ... I am glad to be back and to win an Australian
title, is always extra special," Luxford said.
Sam Appleton and Emma Jackson won the national junior titles.
The race consisted of a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run.
Also on Sunday, Beijing Olympian Erin Densham and Kristian McCartney won race five
of the Gatorade triathlon series in Melbourne.