Wellington is readying for an international invasion as a host of the world’s best triathletes line up against some of the best New Zealand has to offer at the final round of the Contact Tri Series this Saturday, an event that carries New Zealand and Oceania titles over the standard distance.
The men's race in particular looms as a great battle between trans-Tasman neighbours with Kris Gemmell, Ryan Sissons, Tony Dodds, James Elvery and Clark Ellice leading the Kiwi charge in a field that incredibly has three quarters of the 50 or so starters from the 'Western Island'.
The women's race meanwhile is even more wide spread, with six nations set to battle it out for honours, including of course a strong contingent of Kiwis led by world number six Andrea Hewitt and notably the return to racing of Wellington's Kate McIlroy after surgery to both Achilles tendons.
While the Aussies might dominate the men's field in numbers, the top ten seeds are evenly split across five New Zealanders and five Australians, led by race favourite Kris Gemmell (Palmerston North). Gemmell was second in a sprint finish to Bevan Docherty at Takapuna last month, showing signs of good form at this early stage of the season.
Ryan Sissons (Auckland) is one looking for a big race over the standard distance. The 22 year old ran superbly at the recent Takapuna super sprint race in the Contact Tri Series to finish third behind Bevan Docherty and Gemmell, but knows he needs to be closer out of the water to challenge for the win around Oriental Parade on Saturday.
"The race this weekend will be a great chance to check out how the form is going over my first standard distance race of the season. It's a good chance to have a solid race amongst some good competition from Australia and NZ before heading overseas for the first round of the ITU World Champs Series in Sydney in April.
"The form is good, I've been at altitude doing some great training with a lot of our other high performance athletes and with no injuries or issues I'm looking forward to having a good day at the office on Saturday; let's just hope for good weather!!"
Indeed conditions will play a big part in race tactics but the long range forecast for Wellington is for reasonably settled weather on Saturday, great news for not only the elites but the hundreds of everyday Kiwis lining up in races throughout the day.
Wanaka's Tony Dodds has been impressive at times this season, racing strongly to win the sprint nationals in Kinloch before taking a breather to prepare for Wellington.
"After Kinloch I decided not to race Takapuna, I didn't want to race too much so just settled back into training. I have been a bit flat the last couple weeks though with so much happening in this part of the world. But hopefully I'll freshen up before Saturday. I just need and want it to be a hard race and do what I do best and race my own race."
Another triathlete looking to impress is New Plymouth's Clark Ellice. Suspended from the High Performance Squad late last year, Ellice has been working hard in training, in particular in the water and is focused on a strong start to his season.
"It's been a long and arduous comeback from a pretty taxing debut over the half ironman distance at Tauranga; I have a lot more respect for those long distance guys after having a dabble at it.
"What I also underestimated is the effects of racing 21 races last year, one must realise the importance of recovery. As a result I have invested a lot of time in the swimming side of my sport over the last four months with the much needed guidance and help from Donna and Sue at team 'Aquablades' in Bell Block down here in Taranaki.
"So I have found a new set of shoulders this summer and hope to use them wisely in time for the racing end of the season. A virus was a minor setback at Kinloch, but training has been going steady since, so I look to fire my season with a good race here in Wellington and get the momentum rolling onward to Mooloolaba and Sydney, business time races for me in this hemisphere."
The women's race is also a strong international field with Japan, Australia, Luxembourg, Great Britain, Czech Republic and of course New Zealand represented with the favourites including Takapuna winner and world number 8 Vicky Holland (Great Britain) and Andrea Hewitt (Christchurch) while also lining up is Elizabeth May (Luxembourg) and a host of other Kiwis including world number 22 Kate McIlroy in her first start after surgery to both Achilles tendons in the off season.
The elite women's Contact Cup and Oceania Championship race is set to start in front of Waitangi Park at 10.30am and the men at 11.45am on Saturday, with the bike and run leg taking the athletes along Oriental Parade before finishing back at Waitangi Park.
Contact Tri Series, Wellington
Saturday 12th March
Incorporating Oceania Championship for Elite and U23 competitors
Click here for course maps and information.
Registration (Trophy and 3:9:3 participants)
- Friday 11th March 4pm to 7pm Freyberg Pool
- Saturday 12th March 6am to 6.45am Waitangi Park
Contact Trophy
- Age group men 7.15am
- Age group women 7.20am
- Teams 7.22am
Contact 1:2:1
- Children – Boys 8.00am
- Children – Girls 8.10am
Contact 3:9:3
- Beginner – Men 9.20am
- Beginner – Women 9.23am
- Beginner – Teams 9.24am
Contact U19 Sprint Distance Nationals and Oceania Championship
- Men 10.00am
- Women 10.05am
Contact Cup Standard Distance Nationals and Oceania Championship
- Elite/U23 Women 10.30am
- Elite/U23 Men 11.45am
