News Release

Suzuki Swift In Good Hands

21 May 2008
Annabel Ramsay is one happy triathlete – albeit she might be guilty of neglecting her much loved bike now she is the proud owner of a Suzuki Swift, collected recently after winning the car at the recent Tri NZ Annual Dinner in Wellington.

Annabel was one of 7 names drawn at Contact Energy My Sport events throughout the summer to go in the end of season draw to win the much coveted Suzuki Swift ‘spot prize’.

All were invited to attend the final round of racing at the National Championships in Wellington and wait nervously to see if it was their name drawn at the annual dinner.

Ramsay says she tried not to think about winning, but her friends and family didn’t help!

“Although I tried not to think about winning, it was a bit difficult once most of my friends and family found out I was in the draw to win the Suzuki and began talking about me driving them around in it! When the date for the draw got closer I tried my best not to get hopeful about winning it as I didn't want to be disappointed if it wasn't me who won. Despite that, I couldn't help having a few sneaky thoughts about how awesome it would be to have a new car.”

Ramsay is all the more grateful for the prize given her current status as a student.

“Being a student, I have been driving a car made in 1989 with its fair share of rust and dings for the last few years, and to jump in my new car which is almost 20 years more youthful was weird - it was far too shiny and clean!! I was rapt!”

The 26 year old very nearly didn’t hang around at Kinloch to hear her name drawn and appreciates now how close she came to disappointment.

“My name was drawn at the Taupo event. We had been baking under the hot sun at prize giving and I was trying to resist the pressure from my boyfriend who was convincing me we should get on the road back to Wellington before it got too late.

“I decided to stay until the end, but when my name was called out I hadn't caught on what it was for. I soon realised it must have been a pretty good prize when I was met by handshakes from two beaming faces - it actually wasn't until I was up there I realised it was for the car. At that stage I felt pretty surprised and stoked to be in with a shot to win!”

Wellington was also a nerve wracking experience, not the least because Ramsay was racing to earn World Championship selection but the worst experience was simply standing in front of an expectant audience at the dinner, watching as other contestants dropped out of the draw. “I had a feeling picking the number one ping pong ball was pretty lucky. Playing a game of last man standing to claim the prize was cruel as the suspense was too much! I ended up feeling nervous not only to be waiting to find out who would be the winner, but also just to be standing up on stage. My heart was racing so hard I was half hoping my name would be called so I could get off the stage!

“When it came down to the last three people I remember we looked at each other and said how lucky we were to make it that far. At that point I was still trying to convince myself it couldn't be me so I wouldn't be disappointed.

“When my name was called I couldn't believe my luck!! So much so I could hardly string any words together to say into the microphone! It was the end to an amazing day which I had been building up to for weeks. Not only had there been the build up to the draw for the car, but also to the final event in the Contact series. On top of that, it was also my 26th birthday and my dad had come up from Christchurch to be there. At the end of the night I was stoked to find out I was also selected for the age group team to go to the world champs.”

All in all not a bad day for a very happy triathlete who is now the very proud owner of a brand new Suzuki Swift!