The Dutch presence on the New Zealand triathlon scene moves to Nelson this weekend for the New Zealand National Aquathlon Championships, with leading Dutch triathletes Rachel Klamer and Danne Boterenbrood amongst those lining up in the elite women's race on Saturday afternoon.
Both have been based in New Zealand this summer, working under the watchful eye of 'Kiwi' Dutch national coach John Hellemans. Klamer raced impressively to lose to Andrea Hewitt in a sprint finish at the Contact race in Wanaka 3 weeks ago, while both were on the podium at the NZ and Oceania sprint championships in Kinloch last Sunday.
They will be joined in the women's field by fellow Netherlands triathlete Maaike Caelers (6th at Kinloch in elite women) in an event that carries qualification for the Age Group World Championships to be hosted by Auckland on Labour Weekend 2012.
In the men's race the early favourites are again internationals and yes, one is from Holland. Marco van der Stel (15th in Kinloch in the elite sprint) and Tom Curtis (GBR) will bring an international flavour, with both training in Nelson during the New Zealand summer.
Race organiser Peter Gibbs is excited about the event and the quality of athletes coming to Nelson.
"Almost half of the age group entries are local, that is to be expected. But equally we are going to have a large number of visitors from around New Zealand with some great age group athletes looking to book their spots at the 2012 World Championships in Auckland.
"In the elite fields however to have athletes the quality of the Dutch team and Tom Curtis is just great and I'm sure they are going to put on a great show for spectators. This is the first officially recognised National Aquathlon Championships so there is no doubt it will grow in the years to come, it provides a great chance for people to dip their toes into triathlon and is becoming increasingly popular around the world."
Some of the notable age group entrants include:
Women's 20 to 24
Flossie van Dyke (Nelson), the overall winner of last year's Wellington national champs age group race will likely contend the title with Odette Ackermann from Whangarei
Women's 30 to 34
Top ranked international adventure racer Fleur Lattimore takes on one of the country's top-ranked ocean swimmers in Kirstin Ramsay
Women's 65 to 69
Legendary competitor Tiare Lund, a winner of world titles across all distances for many years, Tiare is triathlon royalty
Men's 18 to 19
Joe Thornton will be a hot favourite in his age group but also a chance at first across the line overall. A very talented swimmer who knows how to run.
Men's 40 to 44
Jon Linyard (Nelson) is another who is a regular New Zealand representative in triathlon at World Championship level, a hot favourite in his age group, look for Jonathan to fly the flag for the over 40's in the race for first age grouper across the line. Jonathan was 16th overall age grouper in Kinloch.
Men's 50 to 54
This age group sees a good matchup between Alex Grigg (2nd Kinloch), Wayne Leighton, Paul Thornton of Nelson and Johan Ackermann of Whangarei
Men's 55 to 59
None other than the legend himself, New Zealand icon John Hellemans, now coaching the Dutch national team to great improvements.
Men's 60 to 64
This is shaping as a local Nelson derby. Ben Van Dyke is a multiple recent world age group champion in the pool and can run. Ned Smith was 2nd in Kinloch, Martin Thompson is a fast runner but will have to work hard on the swim to stay in touch.
Men's 70 to 74
Derek Eaton, the former bishop of Nelson is lining up. Derek is a national pool champion in the 1950s, last summer's 60-69 champion in State Ocean Swim Series. The question for Derek is can he hold his Achilles together enough to finish the run?
The event will be centred on Rutherford Park, across from Trafalgar Park in Nelson.
Both short and standard distance races begin at 12.30pm on Saturday 11th February, a full results press release will be distributed on Saturday afternoon.
For further information, including course maps, race times and details, click here.
