Erin Baker returns sadder but wiser

Press, 22 October 1986, Page 72

Erin Baker returns sadder but wiser

By

KEVIN TUTTY

Erin Baker returned to Christchurch yesterday without a major international triathlon title, but a much more experienced competitor following the frustrations of the last month. What had been building up to be a remarkable season for Baker ended when she was disqualified from the Nice triathlon on October 5 after she had crossed the line nine minutes clear of her nearest rival.

Then last Sunday she had to withdraw from the famed Hawaiian ironman championship with exhaustion.

“It was the first time I have ever had to with-

draw from a race,” said Baker. “What happened in Nice was hard and the course in Hawaii was very demanding and I was physically and mentally exhausted when I withdrew.”

In spite of the setbacks Baker said she was reasonably happy with her season. “I did what I set out to do. I won the European titles and I know I won at Nice. It doesn’t matter what anyone says.” Next year Baker will concentrate her energies on the Hawaiian event. She has an indefinite visa for entry to the United States and she said the organisation was fantastic compared to the Nice event. “I have made some

contradictory statements about Nice. One part of me says to go back to Nice and enter as E. Hughes (she will marry John Hughes in February), keep out of the way before the race, and then come out and win.

“But the other part of me says to save my energy for other races. I’m sure Nice will exist in its present form next year anyway.”

An appeal over Baker’s disqualification has been lodged by the New Zealand Triathlon Federation, but she has not heard any result of the appeal.

The Nice race was organised by the International Management Group (1.M.G.) and tne winner of the men’s

race, Mark Allan, and Linda Buchanan, who was promoted to first when Baker was disqualified, are both .managed

by I.M.G. Baker said she was approached a year ago by 1.M.G., which offered to look after her business affairs, but she declined. She said that she had no doubts that her first placing would have stood in Nice if she was a member of the group. Baker said she had spoken to Buchanan in Hawaii. “She sympathised and we spoke about a number of things. We’re still friends, but my respect for her isn’t very high.” In the Hawaii race Baker was accused of competing against South Africans, something she had earlier refused to do. “When I was first asked to enter Hawaii I

said it would be on two conditions; that I could get a visa, and that there would be no South Africans in the race.” Baker knew that one of the leading women in the Hawaii event, Paula Newby-Fraser — who eventually won the race when Patrica Puntous was disqualified — was a South Africa.

“We had an intermediary working between us. I wanted her to make a statement that she did not agree with South Africa’s apartheid policy.

“We weren’t allowed to meet each other before the race and when A.B.C. television interviewed me before the race I made my feelings known. I can only presume she did what was asked of

her when she was interviewed.” Baker said she believed there were South Africans in the men’s section but her only concern was the women’s race. Newby-Fraser was listed as a Zimbabwean in the results and Baker said she apparently has three passports — South African, British and Zimbabwean. For the next two weeks Baker will relax. She will not compete in a big race before Christmas, and she is uncertain whether she will defend the Double Brown Ironman title in Auckland in March. “It’s only two weeks after I get married. I’ll have to make a decision on that later.”