#1002 ... On yer bike

American Shelley Evans won the Tour of New Zealand women's cycling race in style by taking out today's sixth and final stage, a criterium in the streets of Wellington. It was a fourth stage win of the tour for the United States team rider, who again waited until the last few hundred metres before unleashing her power to cross the line first. That tactic saw her win stages one, two and five in tight bunch finishes, setting up the first road win of her career.

Today's criterium was run under a pall of sadness following last night's massive earthquake in Chile, the homeland of tour director Jorge Sandoval.His home town of Tome, a fishing village, is near Chile's second largest city Concepcion, which was close to the epicentre of the 8.8 magnitude quake. Sandoval had a sleepless night vainly trying to contact family, particularly his elderly parents, relatives and friends.Evans dedicated her win to the people of Chile.

Second in the criterium, run over an hour plus three laps on an 850m circuit in central Wellington, was Australian Institute of Sport rider Kirsty Broun, with New Zealand's Joanne Kiesanowski third.

#838 ... What Action ?

Some of the rugby action from the test match ... however the security men must remain oblivious to it all and look for action in the crowd !!

#837 ... Flaming Ferns

Fireworks display at the start of the All Blacks vs. Wallabies test match at the Westpac Stadium ... two silver ferns

#741 ... Vision

Getting ready for a fund raising event at the Civic Square .. for World Vision. These Wellington Girls' College students are continuing an event started by my duaghter's good friend Isabella Gawith in 2005,in support of World Vision. The girls take part in a morning of netball with various Wellington personalities and students from other schools ... with sausage sizzles, food and goodies ... With quirky colouful team uniforms, maybe this is also the training ground for the city guardians who keep our roads repaired. In the background is the City Gallery ... and you can also see the barbecue being set up. The netball court was marked out with tape on the brick courtyard of the Civic Square ... well done girls.

#597 ... Bike the Bays

A favourite Wellington activity ... biking around the bays ... and here cyclng through Oriental Bay

#590 ... Scarlett & Blundell WIN

Blundell & Scarlett (NZ) playing the German team in the Beach Volley Ball final at Oriental Bay.

New Zealand pair Anna Scarlett and Susan Blundell tasted victory at last Wellington, winning a thrilling final over German opponents in the second round of the national beach volleyball series today. After finishing runner-up in Wellington for the past two years, Scarlett and Blundell finally shook off the bridesmaid tag, beating accomplished foe Okka Rau and Helke Claasen 21-19 17-21 15-13.

Rau is a two-time Olympian, and ranked 14th in the world, so the win was especially satisfying for the New Zealanders, making it two wins from two events in the series. The lead changed several times in the deciding set, before some great serves and blocks from Scarlett saw the hosts to a popular win. Earlier in the day they enjoyed another three-set tussle in their semifinal, beating Americans Paige Davis and Jen Snyder 21-16 17-21 15-13.

Rau and Claasen won their semifinal 21-16 21-16 over the promising New Zealand combination of Emma Preston and Toni Edmonson. To make the semifinal was a victory in itself for Preston and Edmonson, upsetting the fancied Brazilian pairing of Nina Zgoda and Fernanda Costa in their quarter-final. (Report by NZPA)

For information on the world rankings

#589 ... Sandy Stretch

Not the usual photo of Beach Volleyball ... but probably one of the most important activities for top sports people .. stretching exercises before the match. This is Anna Scarlett rolling around on the court before their semifinals match.
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Anna Scarlett & Susan Blundell play their 3rd season together on the McEntee Hire NZ Tour, after completing their debut season on the FIVB World Tour.

They made outstanding progress throughout the 2008 World Tour , with their top performance coming in Norway, where they finished 13th. They are seeking their first NZ Tour win together, after making the finals last season in Matarangi, Wellington & Auckland.

Susan Blundell has previously won four titles on the national tour, her last win coming at Ohope in 2004. She is renowned for her strong blocking and serving game. Anna Scarlett is one of New Zealand’s most accomplished sportswomen, having played for Silver Ferns netball team, and the NZ indoor volleyball team.

With both players over 185cm, they have been dubbed beach volleyball’s ‘twin towers’.

For more information on the volleyball tour

#587 ... Diving Dudes

A hot day in Wellington .. and these guys took advantage of the statue of the man leaning into the Wellington wind, to get some elevation for diving off the wharf ... in front of Te Papa. In the background is the Overseas Terminal and the yacht marina.