If you’re sending a team to a triathlon event on which you have naming rights, it helps if you have someone who’s good at it.
Fujifilm Australia’s graphic arts marketing manager Nadine Lafleur is, and scored a podium position in the Fujifilm Hamilton Island Triathlon last weekend, coming second in her group.
Modestly, however, she has sent us this story about colleagues who made a five-person team of novice and experienced athletes for Saturday’s Fujifilm Hamilton Island Triathlon and the Whitehaven Beach Ocean Swim on Sunday:
Executive assistant to the chief executive and team captain Sarah Fenton is a seasoned marathon runner and now training for Ironman Port Macquarie: “To have the opportunity to race in the beautiful setting at Hamilton Island is unique,” she says. “The company is fully supporting our team, and I am grateful to be surrounded by a group of like-minded companions. It was fun training with our weekly run group and the Fujifilm swim squad at Manly Dam. These team building exercises are different and promoting life work balance.”
Fuji technical services helpdesk operator Terrie Morgenson had had a solid training regime for the past three months: “I walk more than 20 km a day, six days a week. When Fujifilm offered me the opportunity to compete in the Hamilton Island Triathlon, I decided at age 59 that this would be a great challenge and give me goals to aim for in my physical fitness.”
Seven-times Ironman and Fujifilm IS network manager Carmelo Gallo says it really lifted the spirits in the company to have a common goal with team mates, “especially because we all come from different areas of the business.
“We have shared the excitement and experience and got to know each other on a more personal level. Both races were tough, but we did very well!”
Michelle Washington, customer engagement manager at Fujifilm came back from injury to compete in the triathlon when a flat tyre forced her to withdraw from the race. “It was disappointing not being able to finish the race. But we had a fantastic time on the island anyhow. Hamilton Island is a special location. I particularly enjoyed renting a golf cart and exploring every single street and lookout on the island.
Nadine Lafleur was congratulated on her second place in the 30-39 year-old female age group by former Ironman world champion Craig ‘Crowie’ Alexander. “The very hilly and hot course is certainly not a beginners’ course,” she says. “But at Fujifilm, we love challenges! I am extremely glad to be here and excited to have started head to head with world-class athletes like Olympians Susie O’Neill, Michael Klim and Courtney Atkinson. In such an intimate setting, you really get close to the stars of the show.”
Although not participating himself, Fujifilm chief operating officer Dave Marshall stood by to support his team with bells and whistles. “We have been the major sponsor in this event for five years now, and it was great to see Team Fujifilm racing for the first time,” he says. “I am exceptionally proud to be supporting such a great bunch of athletes and we are looking forward to encouraging even more employees to give it a go next year.”
Pictured (from left) Terrie Morgenson, Sarah Fenton, Carmelo Gallo, Nadine Lafleur, Michelle Washington