The ITU World Triathlon Series is fast coming to a close, with Stockholm this weekend representing the third last race on the series for 2015 as the race for podium places in the final world rankings heats up.
New Zealand will be represented by Andrea Hewitt (Christchurch), Rebecca Spence (Auckland) and Ryan Sissons (Auckland) in the races held late Saturday night and early Monday morning New Zealand time.
Triathlon New Zealand high performance director Graeme Maw says the race this weekend is a final hit out for the trio before they head to Chicago.
"These races are of course important in their own right, as an opportunity to race for medals and ranking points. But critically they are the last hit outs for Andrea and Ryan as they build their seasons towards the Chicago Grand Final next month, and for Rebecca continuing her World Series consistency with both Edmonton and Chicago on the horizon"
Hewitt and Sissons have both shown good form in recent weeks in French Grand Prix racing with Hewitt suggesting she has options as to how she approaches this weekend.
"I finished 2nd in Embrun last week in France, so I am bringing good form to Stockholm. I'm focused on having a good performance like in past years. I've raced two different strategies here, I broke away on the bike the first year and last year I rode strong in the breakaway group and finished 2nd.
"From here I will head to altitude in the French Pyrénées to prepare for the biggest race of the year in Chicago."
As well as being part of this year's World Series, Stockholm is also another chance for further accumulation and consolidation of ranking points for Rio 2016. New Zealand is tracking towards securing spots for three women and two men on the start line in Rio next year, with all World Series races through to Yokohama next May counting towards qualification.
The team in Stockholm will be supported by coach Tri NZ HP coach Laurent Vidal with lead coach Jon Brown and Tim Brazier in Edmonton preparing athletes for the penultimate World Series race there on September 5/6 and then Chicago a fortnight later.
