On a day when record numbers turned out, she claimed a comfortable victory in the women’s division of The Rock triathlon. 

With a win and a second to her name heading into the third race of the Riverina triathlon series, Mazzocchi was encouraged to take her place at the start line. In ideal conditions, she made every step, pedal and stroke a winner, claiming the event by three-and-a-half minutes.

Mazzocchi completed the course (2km run, 20km cycle, 200m swim and 4km run) in 1:08:36 beating Chloe Harper for the women’s title.

“I’m really rapt, I never expected it,” Mazzocchi said.

“The bike was really good today. There was a little bit of breeze and I was pretty happy with it. That set it up and a good little 4km home.

“I’ve always wanted to do it so I thought I’ll give it a go and see how I go. It’s a good course, it’s flat. 

“And it’s nice to win the hometown one.”

After taking up the sport “four or five years ago, dabbling in them just to keep fit,” she’s now had two wins and a second in this year’s series.

The decision to race at home could yet pay off literally. Mazzocchi is in the box seat in the Riverina triathlon series, where $1000 in prizemoney is on the line for the men’s and women’s winners.

The next event is at Holbrook this weekend, with West Wyalong to close out the series in a fortnight.

In the men’s division, Wagga’s Dan Judd claimed his first victory of the series, finishing the event in just over an hour. 

Judd (1:00:17) was almost three minutes clear of Max Norman (1:03:15), with Will Maclean (1:05:07) in third. 

After a second at Ganmain, and a second in the Olympic event at Temora, Judd (13 points) now holds a four-point series advantage over Norman, who took five points for the sprint event at Temora, before picking up another four at The Rock. 

Sunday’s junior event saw a convincing win by promising Ganmain youngster Jackson Tenhave. 

He crossed the finish line in at time of 30 minutes and 41 seconds for the shortened course of 500m run, 10km cycle, 100m swim and 2km run. Abbey Hamblin was the first female home, finishing in 35:55, putting her third overall in the juniors.

The day was hailed a success, with The Rock triathlon comfortably drawing its biggest fields. More than 220 competitors took part in the event – 70 more than last year – with strong numbers in the open sprint event.

Organisers say that’s a good sign that their emphasis on juniors and ‘enticers’ options is paying off.