Dubai: New Zealander Simon Kinzett blazed to victory in the Dubai Tri Club's highly subscribed Sprint and Super Sprint triathlon at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa over the weekend.

Kinzett completed the race in a time of 1:05:43. He crossed the finish line ahead of David Mutch and Kevin West in the Open Male category.

"It was a great race and a fantastic course," said Kinsett after his victory.

"The weather made the race really enjoyable and I'm very happy about the win."

Brilliant form

Early concerns about the weather and possible rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of the nearly 250 competitors who took part in the season opening event at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa.

Although the swimming sections started off with some clouds in the sky, it started clearing soon after and by the time the first triathletes completed the run, the sun was shining.

Svetlana Brkic secured the Open Female section in her usual brilliant form with a time of 1:08:29, while Carina Rodd and Hildegard Snyman followed suit nine minutes later. Paul Miles and Julie Hall beat their competitors in the Under 40 section, with the Over 40 category being won by Noel Kirkaldy and Natalie Sharp.

On the junior front Tom Mueller came first in the Under 16 Males category and brother Paul Mueller claimed victory amongst the Under 13 Males.

Gabrielle Austin won the Female Under 16 category after a strong swim which saw her almost 50 yards ahead of her closest rivals.

Results:

Open Male: 1. Simon Kinzett; 2. David Mutch; 3. Kevin West

Open Female: 1. Svetlana Brkic; 2. Carina Rodd; 3. Hildegard Snyman

Male Under 40: 1. Paul Miles; 2. Chris Grantham; 3. Neil Rooney

Female Under 40: 1. Julie Hall; 2. Francesca Harris; 3. Jenny Adamson

Male 40+: 1. Noel Kirkaldy; 2. Garry Kershaw; 3. Jean-Marie Arrizurieta

Female 40+: 1. Natalie Sharp; 2. Jane Collisson; 3. Helen Rodd.

Junior Male Under 16: 1. Tom Mueller; 2. Steven Cousins; 3. Nikhil Kalyanpur

Junior Female Under 16: 1. Gabrielle Austin; 2. Sarah Mueller; 3. Sophia Rodd

Junior Male Under 13: 1. Paul Mueller; 2. Nicholas Anderson; 3. Max Deighton Winter.