London is the next stop on the ITU World Triathlon Series circuit and a host of New Zealanders will line up on the sprint course at Hyde Park, in the heart of the city that still brings to the surface fond memories of the 2012 Olympic Games triathlon when some of the biggest crowds of the Games lined every metre of the course.
For the men, Tony Dodds and Ryan Sissons will proudly wear the silver fern, with Dodds in an upbeat mood as he returns to the WTS after sitting out recent events in Cape Town and Yokohama.
"This year has been pretty good to me so far, everything has gone to plan nicely so I have had some good training blocks, my body doesn't usually handle having too many races in a row so it's been a blessing I've been able to race well when I can," said 18th-ranked Dodds.
"This race is going to be super-fast with both the Brownlees there, so ideally I will be in position in that front group. It's been going well the past four weeks, with a bit of different training so we will see what sort of impact that has. But this race, our first in Europe, is also about the travel and seeing how well we can overcome jet lag and different conditions. But I will be going into the race the same way as usual, and that's to go out and have some fun, take care of the process and we will be all kosher!"
New Zealand will have one of their most significant representations in a women's race so far this season, with Andrea Hewitt, Sophie Corbidge, Simone Ackermann and Rebecca Clarke all lining up. Hewitt goes in to the race ranked third on the Columbia Threadneedle world rankings but for Corbidge, this is something new, a debut appearance on the WTS stage, something that is all the more special back in her birth country of England.
"It's my debut World Triathlon Series race and saying I'm excited would be a massive understatement. I can't wait to get on the start line amongst the best in the world and give it all I've got. I have nothing to lose, and everything to gain, and I can take confidence from the past few weeks of solid training. Racing in London is something of a return to familiar surroundings, I will be supported by some extended family and childhood friends on the day which will make it a little special too."
Hewitt is the leading Kiwi in the field after a consistent start to the season, albeit with an 8th place finish in Yokohama that was slightly below her own very high standards.
"I have settled into the French lifestyle, which is pretty easy now. I've been able to train in the sun, as well as rest after Yokohama. My legs were heavy after the travel and a bit tired. Now I'm ready to race again. A short trip over to London this weekend where my goal is to get another consistent result. I'm looking forward to a really close race where every second is going to count."
 Andrea Hewitt at the forefront on the bike leg in Yokohama(Photo: Delly Carr / ITU; click to enlarge) |
Simone Ackermann is returning to racing after a break of sorts where she has been clocking up the hours in training after a good start to the season where she finished 10th in Auckland and 26th on the Gold Coast.
"This weekend's race will be my first for a few weeks and I am looking forward to testing the waters. Being a sprint race, I am expecting it to be fast and hard. It is not my preferred distance but I like racing them because it means you have to be on your game the whole time and take advantage of any opportunities you may get. I have only raced here once before. It is nice to be able to race again at such an iconic place."
For Auckland's Rebecca Clarke it is also a chance to race in front of friends, albeit a long way from home.
"I'm looking forward to racing after a short break from the circuit, missing the last two races. With more important races in Rio and Chicago later in the season London is a buildup race for me, to improve my race tactics and gauge where my form is at. It will be a special experience racing on some of the 2012 Olympic course and having support from family and friends who live in London. The flat course, sprint format and large start list will provide a fast, challenging and exciting race to test me and the other athletes."
