Washington this weekend plays host to the third round of the Dextro Energy ITU World Championship Triathlon Series and once again New Zealanders are expected to contend for podium honours after picking up victories in Korea (Bevan Docherty) and Madrid (Andrea Hewitt).
Despite the withdrawal this week of 2008 world number one Sam Warriner, the New Zealand women’s contingent has a strong look to it with Debbie Tanner, Rebecca Spence and Andrea Hewitt backing up from her win in Spain.
In the men’s Bevan Docherty returns after sitting out Madrid, and is looking to add to his win in Korea. He will be joined by New Plymouth’s Clark Ellice on the start line as Kris Gemmell takes time out from the circuit.
“Training has been going fantastic without too many issues so I am looking forward to another good race,” said Docherty. “I decided in my planning to miss Madrid and concentrate on Washington and have spent a good few weeks training at altitude at my base in Boulder.
“I haven’t raced on the course before but it is pretty flat and should lead to an exciting race. The bike turnaround is at the White House and we are riding and running past some famous landmarks. That is part of the draw card for me to race in some of the world’s more famous locations and the new World Series is certainly achieving that aim.”
Docherty won’t be stopping to admire the views though and knows he will be in a fierce battle.
“This is a tough field, a lot of the top guys are lining up in this one, some that I am keen to put in their place with some old scores to settle. I’m in good shape and have a good chance of a good result so am looking forward to it. This is my first race against Frodo (Jan Frodeno) since Beijing so I’m hoping to continue the good start to the year and get one up on him.”
Neither the men’s or women’s race will be easy though as strong fields assemble on the flat and fast Washington course. The men’s field sees the top four from Beijing go head to head for the first time since the Olympics while in the women the return of Aussies Emma Snowsill and Emma Moffatt adds spice to the series.
Olympic champion Jan Frodeno from Germany ran well in the series’ second leg to finish tenth having spent the cycle portion in the chase pack. Beijing silver medalist, Canada’s Simon Whitfield, started his season with a disappointing 14th at the opening leg in Tongyeong, Korea, and will want to make amends in the US Capital whilst Taupo’s Docherty, who took bronze in Beijing, looks for his second victory. Another first place finish would put him in pole position before the athletes head to Europe for three races in the summer.
The man who finished just outside the medals at the Olympic Games was Spain’s Javier Gomez, who enjoyed an otherwise flawless 2008. Having come back from an ankle injury, Gomez was off form in Madrid but still battled through for a bronze medal. With another few weeks of training in his legs he will be one to watch.
In the women’s race all eyes will be on 2008 Olympic champion Emma Snowsill who was in devastating form at the start of the year as she ran out as the winner in Tongyeong despite limited training in the lead up to the race. Compatriot and Olympic bronze medalist, Emma Moffatt was second that day, and will be hoping for another top three finish to consolidate her impressive points total.
For Christchurch’s Hewitt, it is a case of looking to find consistency and back up from her incredible win in Madrid.
“Washington DC will be my first Triathlon in America, so I’m looking forward to the new experience. I did however visit the capital city in 2002 when I was traveling around after spending time in Detroit for Camp America, so it won't all be new. It is a beautiful city and will be a spectacular race being so close to all the famous landmarks.
“My win in the last round of the World Championship Series in Madrid gives me real confidence going into this round in Washington DC; once again it will be a case of giving it my all in what is a top quality field.”
Tanner meanwhile is looking to make up for lost ground after finishing 23rd in Korea and missing Madrid.
“Training has been going well although up here at altitude you can’t do the speed work you might at sea level. It is a little hard to judge my form but I have felt great in training. I am though an athlete that enjoys racing and improves with each outing so I can’t wait to get out there and race again this weekend.
“My poor result in Korea has led to an adjustment in my programme for the later part of the year but that is part of performing in such a series of races. Washington is a new course for me so there is a small element of the unknown but I am expecting warm and humid conditions on a flat and fast course and have prepared accordingly.”
Dextro Energy ITU World Championship Series
Round 3, Washington DC, USA
Monday 22nd June
Elite Men 5.10am NZT
Elite Women 7.30am NZT
