July 25, 2011 (Falls Creek, Australia) – The opening races of the 2011 Australia New Zealand Continental Cup were held at Falls Creek in Australia last weekend.

The events were also the first weekend of Australian National Cross Country Championships. The Classic Sprint on Saturday was held in excellent conditions with blue skies and no wind. Last year’s COC winners Callum Watson and Esther Bottomley won their respective events. For Bottomley it is her tenth successive year as National Sprint Champion.

Weather conditions changed for Sundays 5km/10km events, with light snow falling overnight and continuing through the morning. There was some tight competition especially in the women’s 5km where the 2nd to 5th places were separated by only 8 seconds. Bottomley and Watson continued their good form from the previous day to take home the gold medals.

The Australian Championships continue next weekend at Perisher Valley in NSW with a Team Sprint on Saturday and a 10/20km Pursuit on Sunday.

Contributed by Allan Marsland