Triathlon: New mum back in fray

It's going to take more than starting a family and having a break from sport to stop triathlete Sam Warriner from winning.

The Northland triathlon superstar made a successful comeback, coming across the line in first place in the team sprint race category with Mount Maunganui's Janine Sax - with Warriner completing the swimming and running legs.

The former world champion had a busy day on Saturday, both as athlete and coach, with a number of her Sweat7 athletes racing well, including Jamie Leader who won the Contact Sprint women's race.

"I am aiming to get back into top shape and form and race again for New Zealand for sure," said Warriner. "It is only early days ... and I certainly don't have any speed at the moment. That is what this is about, getting some speed back into the legs.

"But I certainly feel stronger since having the baby."

Graham O'Grady (Kinloch) continued a stunning start to the summer with his third victory in quick succession at the Contact Tri Series Rotorua race, while world age group champion Rachel Hamill (Waikato) upstaged her younger competitors to win the women's Contact Trophy race.

The next leg of the Contact Tri Series is in Whangamata on January 3.