New Zealand will be well represented at the latest round of the ITU World Triathlon Championship Series in San Diego this weekend, the spiritual 'birthplace' of triathlon.
The race carries significance not only for the points up for grabs in the race search for a World Champion, but for the scramble for rankings points in the race for the top 8 nations to earn three spots at the London Olympic Games.
In the women's race on Saturday morning (NZT), New Zealand will be represented by Nicky Samuels and Debbie Tanner.
Samuels has endured a torrid time since her inclusion in the team for London, undergoing surgery for an abscessed appendix, so isn't expecting miracles this weekend.
"Originally I was looking for a good result in San Diego to keep my points up to make sure we get that third spot for the Olympics. Following that I was going to do a training block in America, but just 4 days after Sydney and the night after the Olympic announcement in Auckland my plans changed.
"I had a problem with my stomach again and two days later when I was back in Wanaka I visited the doctor and ended up in the emergency department in Dunedin that night. The next morning I was in surgery getting my abscessed appendix out, just a week after Sydney.
"So less than three weeks later I am lining up in San Diego. I have had a lot of time out of training but hoping I still have my fitness in reserve from pre-Sydney to get through the race. I am using this week to get some strength back and then I have one week of solid training to hopefully pop my fitness back up to race in Madrid.
"I am not sure how this race will go with so much time in hospital and recovering at home, but I can only give it what my best. Following this race I head straight to Europe where I will stay in Sete (southern France) until the Madrid World Series Race."
The men's race will see Bevan Docherty, Kris Gemmell, Ryan Sissons, Clark Ellice and Tony Dodds on the start line for New Zealand, with Sissons backing up after his superb second place at the Huatulco World Cup last weekend.
"I'm looking forward to San Diego this weekend, another good result for the team will go some way towards confirming the three spots for NZ at London, this is our big goal," said Sissons.
"I know I am in good shape after a solid race in Huatulco over the weekend, I just hope 6 days between the races is enough time to recover enough for what I know will be a faster race here than in Huatulco.
"San Diego is a great little city and a cool course and what better to return the birthplace of triathlon for the 2nd round of the World Triathlon Series."
Kris Gemmell has based himself in Boulder Colorado since his naming in the team for London, and while he is eyeing a strong performance this weekend, all eyes are on London in August.
"The weather for this time of the year in Boulder has been fantastic, and I was very keen to get here prior to San Diego", said Gemmell. "This is also where I will do one part of my build up prior to London and so needed to plan and arrange some things ahead of time. The support services I've tapped into over here since I've based myself here over the years, really work for me. The results post training blocks here also prove that. So needless to say it is always a good feeling when you know things just work!
"Whilst San Diego is not the Olympics I'm still looking to carry on my good form, and make sure to help out the rest of the guys (Ryan Sissons in particular) so we can confirm that third person slot for New Zealand in London. I've said all along since post the Auckland ITU last year that how I'll train for London will not always correspond to the way I'll have to race prior to the games.
"I appreciate and understand the pressures that come along with any Olympic campaign. Having a great plan and sticking to it is first and foremost. I continue to do everything I promised myself I should do in the lead into London. Every day prior to August 7th, is part of a process that was designed many months, indeed years ago."
Like Debbie Tanner, Clark Ellice missed the team for London but was named as a reserve. It is that mix of emotions that is driving the New Plymouth triathlete this weekend.
"I'm pretty pumped angry and frustrated leading into this one, so it is a mix of emotions that I have to manage. My goal is to be first Kiwi over the line, vent some frustration at not being in the team for London and then race and train a lot calmer for the rest of the season. I am the leanest I have been all year and it is a wetsuit swim so it is game on."
San Diego ITU World Triathlon Series
Race schedule (NZT)
Live coverage on SKY SPORT
Elite Women: Saturday 12th May, 9am
Elite Men: Sunday 13th May, 9.30am
