NZ athlete press conference Thursday

Leading New Zealand athletes will host a press conference ahead of Saturday’s ITU World Series Triathlon season opener in Auckland. Media are invited to attend for interviews, images and file footage before racing on Saturday. Please note that Queens Wharf is in pack in mode for the event, limited parking will be available on the Wharf, please follow directions from security staff to the rear of The Cloud and enter the Mezzanine floor from the Western doors at the far end of  he Cloud.

Athletes present will include:

Women
Kate McIlroy (Wgtn): current world #10 and 10th place finisher at the 2012 London Olympics. McIlroy has been in supreme form throughout the NZ summer, winning races at Pegasus, Wanaka and Kinloch and finishing as New Zealand champion and runner up at the Oceania Championships in Wellington in March. McIlroy is aiming for regular podium finishes this WTS and has targeted a top 3 world ranking as a goal this year.

Nicky Samuels (Wanaka): Nicky is currently ranked #20 on the ITU rankings and has not raced much through the NZ summer after the disappointment of missing out on the Tri NZ HP squads for the first part of 2013. Nicky is a determined competitor and will no doubt be looking to use her bike strength on the hilly Auckland course.

Simone Ackermann (Auckland): the former Northland athlete is a rising star and recently won the Oceania U23 title and this season won her first Contact Series title, taking out the Takapuna round in February this year.

Men
Clark Ellice (New Plymouth): current world ranking of #30, Ellice like Samuels faced the disappointment of being left out of the Tri NZ HP Squad but has his eyes still set on securing a place at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 and the Rio 2016 Olympics. The Taranaki athlete will be keyed up for a big performance.

Tony Dodds (Wanaka): Doddsy is on the comeback trail after illness wrecked his 2012 campaign and had him close to death after a ruptured appendix and a mercy dash down a mountain to a French hospital. He has a win at the Wanaka Contact Tri Series event and a strong performance for 3rd at the Oceania Champs (first Kiwi and earning national champion status) in Wellington. Ranked #53 on limited outings in 2012.

Bryce McMaster (Auckland): Bryce is a recent recruit to the NZ ranks after returning to his home country from Australia. McMaster was a strong 4th at the Oceania Champs, just 5 seconds back from Tony Dodds.

NZ Athlete Press Conference
Thursday 4 April
3pm
Mezzanine Level, The Cloud

This will be attended by the leading NZ athletes competing in the elite men’s and women’s ITU World Triathlon Series events on the Saturday.

Accredited Media and Photographer Briefing
Thursday 4 April
3.30pm
Mezzanine Level, The Cloud

This briefing will outline all requirements for the event and will be attended by Media Manager Andrew Dewhurst and members of the organising team. This will take no longer than 30 minutes and will assist you in your event coverage. Accreditation can be collected from this briefing.

ITU Elite Press Conference
Friday 5 April
3.30pm
Mezzanine level, The Cloud
With the leading ITU triathletes

On Site Media Centre Hours
Friday 5 April - 12.00pm - 9.00pm
Saturday 6 April - 9.00am - 7.00pm
Sunday 7 April - 7.00am - 4.00pm

The Media Centre will be manned by volunteer help at all times and will provide the following:

·         Free wifi internet
·         Powered work space
·         Limited number of lockers
·         Tea/coffee and biscuits
·         Drinking water
·         Course maps and all event information

Barfoot & Thompson ITU Triathlon
April 5-7
Auckland
Queens Wharf

Friday 5th April
12.00pm to 8.00pm              Sport & Lifestyle Expo Open
6.30pm                                   Twilight Swim/Run
Saturday 6th April
8.00am to 5.00pm                Sport & Lifestyle Expo Open
9.30am                                   Brunch 5km run
12.06pm                                 Elite Men ITU WTS
3.06pm                                   Elite Women ITU WTS
Sunday 7th April
9.00am to 5.00pm                Sport & Lifestyle Expo Open
7.00am                                   Sprint, Open and Team Triathlons
12.00pm                                 Paratriathlon