Hard work has paid off for Lani Young of the Tri-Sports Samoa Association. She has been elected Vice-President of Oceania Triathlon. 

The regional organisation is a Continental Confederation of World Triathlon and its mission is to develop multisports in the Pacific.

In elections held on the weekend, 10 countries in the region voted for the Executive Board that will lead triathlon development for the next four years. Pete de Wet of New Zealand was selected as President, with Tim Harradine of Australia and Natalie Smith of New Zealand as Board Members. Olympian Manami Iijima of Guam will be the Athlete Representative on the Board.

Young currently serves as the Secretary-General for TSA. She is also the manager of the national team. 

"I am humbled by the trust placed in me by our triathlon family throughout the Blue Continent. I know if we work together we can achieve great things," Young said. 

"I am especially excited that Oceania Triathlon has for the first time, appointed an athlete representative to the Board. We are here to serve the triathletes of this region and its so vital to be guided by them in all our decisions and planning."

Outside of triathlon, Young is a renowned author and former secondary school English teacher. She is married to triathlete Darren Young and together they own the construction company Young Steel.

Meanwhile,  two of Samoa's young riders who participated in the Lake Taupo cycle challenge placed in the top five. Tyreece Collins competed in the Men's Division 55km and came second with a time of one hour and 33 minutes. Urlin Mulitalo competed in the Women's Division 55km race and came fourth with a time of one hour and 46 minutes.

Bike Samoa Federation president Leniu Philip Moor was very proud.

"We are so proud of these young riders and excited about their promising future in this sport. Amazing results from both of them! They represented Samoa well, both on and off the race course. Congratulations to them and to their families who worked hard to help them train and prepare for the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge," he said.  

The 19-year-old, Urlin said the race was quite challenging but she enjoyed every bit of it.

"I enjoyed the race. It was great to be cycling with so many people, especially compared with when we have races in Samoa. The strong wind and the massive hills were challenging, but fun. I liked pushing myself, and having lots of new competition to ride with." said Urlin Mulitalo.

The Lake Taupo Challenge is New Zealand's greatest cycling event, with thousands of participants from around New Zealand and the world taking part each year.