Andrea Hewitt is the leading Kiwi heading into the final round of the Dextro Energy ITU World Champs Series in Beijing this weekend, needing a strong performance to confirm a medal in the overall 2011 ITU World Championship Series.
The classy Kiwi sits fourth on rankings ahead of Sunday's race but is just one point back from Paula Findlay (CAN) and within striking distance of Barbara Riveros Diaz (CHI) and Helen Jenkins (GBR). With extra points loading in this Grand Final race, a podium might guarantee the Cantabrian a Series medal; the colour though will depend on how those other leading athletes go.
"Beijing is a familiar race since competing here in 2008 in the Olympic Games and twice since," said Hewitt from Beijing. "Each time the race has come down to the 10km run, so that plays into my strengths. I have had no faults in my build up since qualifying for the London Olympic Games a month ago. I took bronze in a 5 way sprint finish in the last World Champs Series race in Lausanne and I've done every session since with no interruptions.
"I have to think about the heat and humidity here though, both will be big factors. I have great form so I know I can contest at the front of this race, it will be whether the points system will work out for me this time around. There are more points in this final event, so this really is the big one and counts the most towards who will be crowned the 2011 World Champion."
Also lining up for the Kiwis are Kate McIlroy (Wellington), Nicky Samuels (Wanaka) and Debbie Tanner (Auckland), with Tanner in particular looking to atone for a disappointing season on a course that has been good to her before.
"Beijing is a course that I have performed well on in the past and I am looking forward to racing there again," said Tanner. "It is unlike any other course on the circuit, it is tough in many ways and I am excited to race there again.
"The heat and the hills will play a huge factor in this race and I believe it will be hard for many people to step up again after London but being the World Championships Grand Final everything is on the line. I have had a disappointing season with some bad luck so am going to go into this race with nothing to lose."
Samuels has experienced the highs and lows this year, clocking up her maiden ITU World Cup win in Mooloolaba in March but also battling a heart condition that required surgery mid-season.
But despite not having the ideal lead in to this weekend, Samuels is aiming high.
"My preparation hasn't been ideal for Beijing. After falling sick with the flu in Oxford one week prior to London I struggled to shake it and it was still lingering 3 weeks later. So training has been minimal during this time although still ticking over aerobically between races.
"My goal is top 15 in Beijing; given my build up I would be happy with this result. I want to finish this year the way I started despite the little lull caused by a lot of travel and picking up some nasty bugs on the way. I know I can do a lot better than what I have shown of late so hopefully I put all three together on the day on a course that will suit me."
McIlroy too has had her injury concerns this season, most notably a calf problem that wrecked her chances in London a month ago.
"Post London I had an MRI which showed a small tear in my soleus. This wasn't the best news, but good to finally get the problem diagnosed and be given the confidence from the doctors that it would be healed for Beijing. I have been really conservative with my treatment, rested it to let it heal for the first 10 days, and have been building my running up over the last few weeks. I am starting to feel much better running and am looking forward to a solid hit out this weekend."
Elite Women – Sunday 5.30pm
- Andrea Hewitt (Christchurch)
- Nicky Samuels (Wanaka)
- Kate McIlroy (Wellington)
- Debbie Tanner (Auckland)
Dextro Energy ITU World Champs Series Rankings: Elite Women
1. Helen Jenkins GBR 2913
2. Barbara Riveros Diaz CHI 2712
3. Paula Findlay CAN 2637
4. Andrea Hewitt NZL 2636
5. Emma Jackson AUS 2251
Plus NZers
23. Nicky Samuels NZL 950
30. Kate McIlroy NZL 881
55. Debbie Tanner NZL 499
New Zealand will be represented in all elite divisions with the following athletes lining up:
(All times NZT)
Junior (U19) Men – Sunday 11th 8.15pm
- Aaron Barclay (Gore)
- Lachlan Davey (Wellington)
- Andrew Ranford (Auckland)
Junior (U19) Women – Saturday 10th 2.45pm
- Maddie Dillon (Auckland)
- Mikayla Nielsen (Hamilton)
- Laura Wood (Christchurch)
U23 Men – Friday 9th 4.30pm
- Tom Davison (Christchurch)
- Sam Osborne (Rotorua)
U23 Women – Saturday 10th 7.15pm
- Simmone Ackerman (Whangarei)
- Rebecca Kingsford (Tirau)
Elite Men – Saturday 10th 4.30pm
- Bevan Docherty (Taupo)
- Ryan Sissons (Auckland)
- Clark Ellice (New Plymouth)
- James Elvery (Auckland)
- Kris Gemmell (Palmerston North)
- Martin Van Barneveld (Wellington)
