Ryan Sissons and Sophie Corbidge are amongst the strong international fields racing at the Quality Hotel International ITU New Plymouth World Cup Triathlon this Sunday and for Corbidge at least the experience is going to be a relatively new one.
"I haven't raced in New Plymouth before, last year I was injured so didn't come down. Actually that is not completely correct, this will be my first full triathlon in New Plymouth but I have raced here before in a team. It was way back in the year that the family arrived from the UK, I think it was a 3:9:3 beginner's race and I swam for my team – I think we finished second that day. So I guess I do have some form in New Plymouth to fall back on!"
Sissons does have a good performance last year to call upon, but like Corbidge also has memories as a junior racing in New Plymouth.
"I raced as a junior many years ago but last year was the first time really in a World Cup when I finished 6th. I like the course and was happy with my race last year in what was a strong field, I am looking forward to another hard race against another decent field. There is some history here for New Zealand athletes dating back a few years now so it will be nice to continue that on."
Corbidge is coming off a training block at Snow Farm in Wanaka and says that will be a factor in her performance on Sunday.
"Training there is always hard, especially the cycling over the Crown Range, that really does keep you humble. I am definitely feeling great coming off that camp and the work we are doing with the Tri NZ HP team and we will be monitoring how that altitude training affects me, this has been one of the first full blocks of training for me up there."
Sissons has not been at altitude, choosing to stay in Cambridge at the Tri NZ HP base to work with his swim coach.
"I stayed in Cambridge to keep working with my swim coach here so I am in pretty decent shape and have seen some real benefits from the swim work of the past six months and am happy with how it is going."
Corbidge does bring a confidence into New Plymouth but appreciates this is a step up from the domestic and Oceania race diet through the New Zealand summer.
"I am going in with confidence from the last few races, plus the recent hard work in Wanaka at altitude has me really fit. But I know this is a big step up from Oceania to World Cup racing and that is a good thing, I am excited about the challenge.
"There is a genuine international feel to this, with something like 40 countries represented in both men's and women's races. The standard is higher and the depth will be greater. It will be good to see how I am going against the rest of the world at the moment."
Corbidge likes the sound of the course, with the information she has to hand before her arrival.
"I have heard about it and I think it will suit me, it is apparently fast and technical with a bit of a climb on the bike and a flat run which suits me, and the sprint distance is something I enjoy as well.
"We are gradually but surely building towards our pinnacle event this year which for me is the World Champs in September, but at the same time I need to be earning ITU and Olympic ranking points and it is in my nature anyway that I will give it 110% regardless of the situation."
Sissons too has an eye on the long game, but is keen to race at the front of the field on Sunday, one that includes world number 3 Richard Murray (South Africa).
"It is a week before Auckland so you go in reasonably fresh but I have still had a solid week of training with just a couple of days that are a bit easier. I want a good race and want to be at the pointy end of the field and build on that in Auckland. It is early season but I am looking to test myself and see where I am at."
Other New Zealanders racing this Sunday include Rebecca Clarke (Auckland), Rebecca Kingsford (Tirau), Sam Osborne (Rotorua), Andrew Lloyd (Tauranga) and Robert Huisman (Southland).
