Aucklander Michael Poole is the first triathlete home in the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman in three hours 56 minutes and 33 seconds.
Michael, 19, a relative newcomer, also won the Whangamata triathalon last weekend.

James, Michael and Tim

Second is James Bowstead in 3:58.11 who was third last year. Third is the 2008 Ironman Western Australia champion Tim Berkell at 3:58.40, with Brodie Madgwick 3:59.44 fourth.
First woman to finish is Sam Warriner in 4:17.04. It is the Whangarei resident's second consecutive win in this event. Australia-based Swiss Caroline Steffen is second in 4:17.24. She recently also won the Gold Coast Marathon, the sister race to the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman.
Another Australian, Rebekah Keat finished third in 4:19. Rebekah won the Port of Tauranga race three times in a row from 2002 to 2004.
The 2006 and 2007 winner Joanna Lawn is fourth in 4:21.18.
The half ironman race includes a two kilometre swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km run. Sections include elite male and female, plus male and female age group sections, and teams.
Roads closed for the event are expected to reopen at approximately 2pm.

Sam Warriner and Caroline Steffen

Brodie Madgwick and choco muffin