Challenge Wanaka 2014 Pro Women Preview

Challenge Wanaka is just two sleeps away, here are the top Women in the race.

Gina Crawford (NZL) goes into Challenge Wanaka 2014 as the race favourite having won five times and never been beaten on the course.

It's a real strength and power course but there is always something to be thinking about and that is why the course suits her, she said.

Gina enjoys the great support she receives in Wanaka and always loves coming here.

Self coached for the last five years, Gina decided she needed some guidance after Kona last year and is now coached by Matt Dixon who she said is the perfect coach for her. 

"The training has been completely different and it really rekindled my enthusiasm a lot."

There has been a lot to work on including technical things for both the bike and run.

"I am getting stronger but it is still really soon in the year to see any effects. I'm looking forward to the race but it's going to be completely different for me than previous years."

She will be looking to make some big improvements in the second half of the year, and for the first time will be focusing a lot more on Kona with more half's in the second half of the year to build up to Kona.

 

Second in 2013 and winner of the Dunedin Marathon, Candice Hammond (NZL) acknowledges her swim is a bit of a weakness but plans to make up time on the run.

She plans to stay positive on the swim and put in a good effort on the bike and run.

"The more races I do the more I realise it is a mental game out there. You can go through some low patches... but I know now I can get through it."

Carrie Lester (AUS) won Challenge Penticton (Canada) in 2013 and says she has gained a lot more confidence over the last six months.

Competing in long course triathlons since 2009, she said she was still finding her way in the sport and learning about where her strengths are.

Penticton was her wake up call where she discovered that hills suit her.

The beauty of Wanaka is one reason for doing the race but ultimately it is the hilly type of course that attracted her.

Others to watch for are Simon Maier (NZL) who lives in Wanaka and is a consistent top finisher at Challenge, Tamsyn Hayes (NZL) a Dunedin athlete who continues to improve, and Larisa Marsh (NZL) from a cycling background but now with triathlon results that show she is one to watch.

 

Full Press Conference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crXxx8IpcGk

Official website: challenge-wanaka.com