Leading New Zealand triathlete Andrea Hewitt is hoping her bad luck is behind her as she contemplates another Dextro Energy ITU World Champs Series with the opening race in Sydney on Sunday attracting a field to rival any World Championship or Olympic Games.
Hewitt has trained well in New Zealand through the summer despite some bad luck when racing of late, but the 2010 world number 6 is confident of a repeat performance that saw her podium in Sydney last year.
My 2011 training has passed by smoothly in at home with a lot of time spent in Wanaka. The two races in New Zealand didn't pan out as well as I wanted but that's racing and I just had to deal with it. I punctured in Wellington and was forced to change my wheel and consequently had to race from the back; I hated it.
"This weekend in Sydney, I would like to turn that around and race at the front. I have great memories from last year, crossing the finish line in a 3-way sprint and finishing 2nd.
"The course is challenging with the climb up from the Sydney Opera House that we will face 9 times in the 40km bike but the Aussies have changed the run circuit, it's now without the steep part of the hill from last year."
Hewitt – who turned 29 on April 4, has packed her bags for the best part of a year too, such is the life of an international triathlete these days.
"This is goodbye from me when I head to Sydney, the start of seven months away starting this weekend and quickly followed by Ishigaki in Japan the following week."
Wanaka's Nicky Samuels is in great form and high on confidence following her maiden ITU World Cup win in Mooloolaba a fortnight ago. Like Hewitt Samuels enjoys the strength based courses and is looking forward to Sydney.
"Sydney should suit us Kiwi's - a most likely choppy swim, two separate transitions, a hilly ride and it's not likely to be too hot. This year most of the hill will be taken out of the course for the run which is a bit sad, but it should make for a faster run.
"I love races with two transition areas; it's something different and puts doubt in some people's minds to where their gear is so I think T2 is going to be very important. I am hoping the hilly cycle course challenges the better runners so the pace is not so fast in the run.
"Mooloolaba was only a week and a half ago. Two weeks between races is not long to try to recover, remember what hard work is and then freshen up with a bit of a taper. However I feel I am ready for another race, and am excited about the first race of the World Series for 2011."
A newcomer to ITU racing is 29 year old Anna Cleaver, the former representative swimmer took 8 years out of the sport to build her career away from triathlon but has returned with a passion and after some time racing half ironman distance events, is focused for the moment on ITU racing.
"My goal this year is to apply my swimming and half ironman background to the ITU distances. I think I'm going to have a lot of fun racing ITU. Sydney is the start of the season so it will be a good test of where I am at. The goal is to have fun, use the crowds of Sydney people that I know will be supporting me, and see how I do against the best ITU athletes in Olympic qualifying year.
"I'm excited about the course. I have been living in Sydney for over 6 years so I know it well and I understand the variable weather conditions Sydney can offer at this time of year. I don't think other athletes can say they have run on the course many times during their lunch breaks at work! I expect the crowds to be amazing as Sydney really get behind this event."
Well performed Debbie Tanner is the fourth of the New Zealanders on the start line on Sunday, the 28 year old is focused on a steady first appearance after an off season dominated by her rehabilitation from Achilles tendon tears. Like the other Kiwis Tanner is focused on the long term goal of qualifying for the London Olympics at the selection race in August but knows she must start her season strongly.
"I am still ready to take on the World in 2011, we have Olympic Qualification in August this year and nothing else matters for me apart from trying to attain one of those NZ spots. That journey starts in Sydney this weekend."
Dextro Energy ITU World Championship Series
Sydney: Sunday 10th April
Elite Women 1.36pm NZT
Live coverage on Sky Sport and www.triathlon.org.
