The ITU Dextro Energy Triathlon World Championship Series visits Hamburg this weekend as a number of New Zealand triathletes look for a reversal of fortune in the 5th of 8 races in the inaugural series, including the extra points grand finale on the Gold Coast in September.
After a year affected by illness, injury and poor weather, the majority of the Kiwi athletes are running out of time to put strong performances in before the season ending finale on the Gold Coast in September, when points will be multiplied to find a world champion.
In the women’s there are just two New Zealanders involved as Andrea Hewitt rests up after a string of strong performances, Kate McIlroy sits the race out and Sam Warriner continues to recover from her broken rib at home in Whangarei.
That leaves Debbie Tanner and Nicky Samuels to fly the flag, with both looking for strong performances to move up the rankings.
Samuels has had a few issues with her calf muscles of late but hopes that is all behind her.
“The first thing I’ve noticed is how enjoyable it has been traveling to this event as a ‘team’ with the majority of the other Kiwis and coaches from the base in Germany, hopefully that is a catalyst for a good weekend.
“I have not been happy with my racing this year so I am looking to finally start putting some things together and having a stronger run. The weather here might play a part with storms and showers forecast but it looks like it will clear up a bit for the races in the weekend.”
Debbie Tanner is also feeling comfortable in Germany, a race she has done well at in recent years. After a disappointing 24th place in Kitzbuhel, the Aucklander is looking for improvement.
“I have been training for a couple of weeks now in Germany with the NZ team which has great for me to come down to sea level and get some faster work under my belt. I struggled with the jet lag and time down from altitude in Austria and was disappointed with my result.
“Hamburg has been a very successful race for me in the past and is an electric place to race so I’m looking forward to stepping up this weekend.”
Of the major threats in the race, world number one Emma Moffatt, has been in domineering form so far this year and hasn't lost a race since the start of May. With two wins to her name already in the series another victory in Hamburg would set her up nicely for the Grand Final on home turf in early September.
Moffatt's only loss was at the hands of training partner and Olympic gold medalist Emma Snowsill who looks unlikely to be making the trip to Europe as she recovers from a slight hip injury.
With another couple of weeks of training in the tank, Portugal's Vanessa Fernandes could feature strongly despite pulling out on the run in Kitzbühel. The Olympic Games runner-up took the bronze at the European championships just three weeks ago as she returns to form following early season injury.
German interest lies in last year's Hamburg World Cup winner Ricarda Lisk who has continued to improve with every race. She will line up alongside Christiane Pilz and Anja Dittmer whilst Kate Allen from Austria will be looking for another top performance following a seventh place on home turf two weeks ago.
The Swiss are enjoying a great season and although European champion Nicola Spirig is saving herself for the London leg of the series, Magali Di Marco should be threatening the podium. Washington, DC bronze medalist Daniela Ryf returns to action having missed Kitzbühel and will join Swedish training partner and Madrid silver medalist Lisa Norden on the pontoon.
