With the 2015 ITU World Championships less than four weeks away in Chicago, Tri NZ is pleased to confirm the makeup of the teams in all elite races, and announce the addition of Sam Ward and Deb Lynch to the Elite U23 Team.
Auckland's Ward will make his debut at the U23 Championships, after consistent strong performances on the ITU World Cup circuit, while Lynch will return after a solid 22nd in the U23s in her Elite Championships debut in Edmonton last year. Both are in Victoria (Canada) training with the HP Squad at present, with Ward contesting the Edmonton World Series race on September 5 to complete his preparations.
 Sam Ward racing in Stockholm in 2014(Photo: Janos Schmidt / ITU; click to enlarge) |
Tri NZ HP Coach (and lead coach to both athletes), Tim Brazier, spoke highly of the progress of both athletes.
"Deborah's desire to succeed in Triathlon shows through daily in her execution. Her consistency of training and communication, openness to be challenged and challenge back has enabled her to develop a really good understanding of what she needs to do to perform in the sport, and this is showing in the consistency of her results this year.
"Sam is going from strength to strength as he grows into his talent. Brett Reid (coach) did a great job in maximising his development, and put him in a fantastic position to kick into the elite ranks. Sam's knowledge of himself and understanding/appreciation of what it takes to perform in High Performance Triathlon is a great strength that he brings to the table, and being able to work together daily has helped us get a great balance to his training and consistent results".
Brazier is also lead coach to NZ's current number one Elite male, Tony Dodds, who will also race the Edmonton World Series event on his way to Chicago.
The full Elite Team for the World Series Grand Final in Chicago will be Dodds, Ryan Sissons, Andrea Hewitt, Simone Ackermann, Rebecca Clarke and Rebecca Spence. Ward and Lynch will join Cameron Todd on the U23 World Championships Team – selected earlier in the year after claiming 9th in the Oceania Championships in Devonport (AUS).
Among the Juniors, Nicole van der Kaay has withdrawn from the team having not fully recovered from injury, with her place ably taken by Jaimee Leader (Palmerston North). Leader will make her 3rd appearance at the Junior World Championships, alongside Elizabeth Stannard (Palmerston North), Katherine Badham (Auckland), Dan Hoy (Auckland), Tayler Reid (Gisborne) and Kyle Smith (Taupo). Fynn Thompson (Queenstown) is waiting keenly in the wings for a possible 4th start for the Junior males.
The Junior Team will depart New Zealand on 1 September, competing in a North American Junior Series race in Edmonton on 4 September en route to Chicago.
ITU World Championships races in Chicago span from 17-19 September, with full event information here.
Triathlon New Zealand team for the ITU World Championships, Chicago, September 17-19
- Elite Male: Ryan Sissons (Auckland), Tony Dodds (Wanaka)
- Elite Female: Andrea Hewitt (Canterbury), Simone Ackermann (Auckland), Rebecca Clarke (Auckland), Rebecca Spence (Auckland)
- U23 Male: Sam Ward (Auckland), Cameron Todd (Auckland)
- U23 Female: Deborah Lynch (Auckland)
- Junior Male: Dan Hoy (Auckland), Tayler Reid (Gisborne), Kyle Smith (Taupo)
- Junior Female: Katherine Badham (Auckland), Elizabeth Stannard (Palmerston North), Jaimee Leader (Palmerston North)
