The streets of Takapuna will once again be abuzz with the sights and sounds of triathletes this Friday night and Saturday morning as the .kiwi Tri Series comes to town and brings with it a mix of some of the world's best and the next generation of New Zealand talent and the weekend warriors out for a great triathlon experience.
Elite racing will take place this Friday night, with twilight super-sprint races at 7pm for the women and 8pm for the men, with world number 13 Ryan Sissons favoured to repeat his win of last year and world number 14 Nicky Samuels similarly backed to win the women's event that she won in 2012. The women are expected to take just under an hour and the men just on 45 minutes in fast and furious racing that will provide great spectator viewing areas around the course.
 Nicky Samuels and Barbara Riveros (Chile) finishing in a dead heat at Takapuna in 2012(Photo: Mike Heydon / Tri NZ; click to enlarge) |
They won't be without competition though, Cameron Goldsmid (Wellington) was superb in finishing 4th at this event last year and is again on the start line as is Nick Rennie (Christchurch) while in the women's race much interest will fall on the appearance of Sam Warriner (Whangarei) after the 41 year old ran free from pain for the first time this summer at last week's 70.3 Asia Pacific Championships, the shorter distance will be welcome relief given the lack of running for the former World Champion with her hamstring injury. Rebecca Clarke (Auckland) is also on the start line, looking to build on the back of her first real international campaign in 2013 showed real promise.
For the younger athletes it is a rare opportunity to match themselves against some of the best in the world. Included in that group are a number of U19 athletes who have recently returned from the Australian Junior Series in Penrith, with Josie Clow (17, Auckland), Steffie Holcroft (18, Hamilton), Elizabeth Stannard (16, Palmerston North), Dan Hoy (15, Auckland), James Wright (16, Whanganui), Matthew Manning (15, Auckland), Liam Ward (16, Auckland), Fynn Thompson (17 Queenstown) all competed recently in Penrith and will continue their season lining up in Takapuna on Friday night.
There are a host of contenders in the U23 ranks as well who will all relish the chance to rub shoulders with the open elites. Well performed Cooper Rand (Auckland), former national schools champion Michael Peree (Auckland), Hayden Moorhouse (Tauranga) and Zac Barber (Christchurch) will make for an interesting men's race.
On the women's side expect Whangamata standard distance winner Natasha Bowyer (Auckland) to again impress while the sprint winner at .kiwi Whangamata Ashleigh Williams (Auckland) will enjoy the short sharp super sprint distance of Takapuna.
Once the elite racing is concluded on Friday night, Saturday morning sees the age groupers, social triathletes and kids take over with a range of events to suit all abilities and backgrounds.
Amongst the starters will be broadcaster and former Black Cap Mark Richardson. 'Rigor' as he is known is taking on the first of his races this summer as he builds towards an appearance at the National Standard Distance Champs in Auckland in April.
Entries are still open for this exciting and short round of the .kiwi Tri Series, visit www.triseries.co.nz for more information.
There will be some road closures in the Takapuna CBD but retailers and businesses remain open for trade. Athletes will swim at Takapuna Beach, transition in the carpark at the top of the beach reserve and then run and ride on a course that takes in The Strand and Hurstmere Road in an anti-clockwise direction (click here for course maps).
