MADELEINE Pape thought she had blown it.

After finishing second to Tamsyn Lewis in the 800m Olympic selection trial in Brisbane on Saturday night, Pape figured her hopes of going to Beijing had plummeted.

Luckily, the selectors did not share her view and yesterday rewarded the 24-year-old with her first Australian team tracksuit and Olympic berth.

"I have been really miserable since Saturday night and had a few sleepless nights," Pape said yesterday.

"I went into that race to give myself the best possible chance of being selected, and when I came away from that race I didn't feel like I had gone out there and really done that."

With Lewis settling back in the field, Pape found herself in the unusual role of pacemaker.

Instead of pushing the pace, the Victorian was too conservative and Lewis rounded her up easily to win in the slow time of 2min 2.12sec.

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Joanna Lawn quietly questioned the wisdom of coaching great, Arthur Lydiard, before powering to the most memorable of her six Ironman New Zealand titles here.

It was business as usual on the shores of Lake Taupo yesterday as Lawn and Cameron Brown built on their astonishing records, Brown never really threatened as he notched a seventh national title - the most wins by anybody in one Ironman race.

Lawn also had things in hand until suddenly drawn into a scrap with Australian running specialist Kate Bevilaqua, finally reclaiming the lead with a surge into the headwind and rain

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Carlsbad, CA, February 2008 – 2XU is happy to continue their alliance with Health Net - Maxxis, America’s top performing Pro cycling team, through the 2008 race season. During their successful 2007 season, Health Net - Maxxis riders tested 2XU compression tights as a means for faster recovery between rides and when flying to venues. Performance compression wear is still relatively new to the USA market and one key benefit is improved circulation, which speeds up muscle recovery.
2XU is an Australian brand and in the southern hemisphere countries, compression wear has long been recognized and acknowledged as an essential item for improved training and faster recovery. Health Net - Maxxis Australian riders Karl Menzies and Rory Sutherland, both long time advocates of compression, were instrumental in introducing their fellow riders to the benefits of performance compression apparel. Back in Australia, the likes of Nick Gates, Baden Cooke and Olympic road cycling gold medalist Sara Carrigan are among many pro riders who utilize 2XU compression wear for recovery.

Health Net - Maxxis team Manager Mike Tamayo commented, “We are excited to have our riders use 2XU compression as the guys truly feel the benefit of wearing it, even to the extent of sleeping in them.” Tamayo added, “We put a high priority on sourcing performance compression garments because they are proven to speed up recovery, a daily battle for all riders in their preparation for the next day’s training or racing.”

As more athletes inquire about the benefits of compression garments for training and racing, 2XU’s focus is on educating users about the fabrics, design and construction of true performance compression apparel. Richard Verney of 2XU explains, “There are vast differences between form-fitting clothing and true performance compression garments. Our affiliation with Health Net - Maxxis is an important component of our educational process as this world-class team utilizes only the best products available.” Verney adds, “We do not pay for any compression sponsorship. Health Net - Maxxis tested our compression products and our affiliation with the team is based on the merits of our products and the results their riders have seen.”