New Plymouth triathlon heralds a Beijing reunion

New Plymouth hosts the World Tri Festival this weekend and the highlight of the three days of action is without question the ITU Continental Cup races on Sunday which will feature a reunion of Beijing Olympic Games men’s team.

 

There is a typically international look to both fields, with 8 countries represented in each race. Interest will however likely centre on the first clash of the year between great friends and rivals Bevan Docherty and Kris Gemmell.

 

Injury has robbed them of that match up so far this year, building anticipation for Sunday’s race. Gemmell is in good form after finishing second in the opening ITU World Cup of the season in Mooloolaba on the weekend on the back of a stunning 10km run split (31.27) on a tough course and is looking forward to the clash.

 

“I guess I will soon find out how much Sunday’s race took out of me in tough conditions as New Plymouth is a great course with some hills that will hurt you on the bike if you haven’t prepared well.

 

“It will be great racing against Bevan and as always a chance to get some Kiwi bragging rights! But don’t discount the internationals in the field with the Raelert boys and Laurent Vidal in particular genuine threats on the day, it should be a lot of fun with a big field on the start line over a tough course.”

 

Also racing is ex-pat Kiwi Paul Amey, now competing for Great Britain and more commonly seen on the half Ironman circuit. His presence will remind New Zealanders of the talent he possesses and he will no doubt enjoy the undulating course that awaits the athletes.

 

The women’s field by comparison is smaller but lacks little in terms of quality with Andrea Hewitt and Nicky Samuels leading the kiwi charge, Hewitt was 8th in Beijing and Samuels 4th in Mooloolaba last weekend.

 

They will have their work cut out though, with 2008 World number 2 Felicity Abram (AUS) and Kirsten Sweetland (CAN) both entered. Final confirmation is expected in the next 24 hours on Sweetland but her attendance would be a coup for Tri NZ and for New Plymouth spectators with the 20 year old quite brilliant on the Sunshine Coast, picking up her second career World Cup win as she ran away from Emma Moffatt (AUS) and World U23 champion Daniela Ryf (SUI).

 

Selected athletes including Gemmell, Docherty, Reed and Samuels will attend a press conference on Friday at 12.15pm at Ngamotu Beach with the children close by competing in the Weetbix Tryathlon.

 

Age group and beginner races take place on the Saturday, along with the Noel Yarrow Memorial 5km fun run/walk and the elite 3km road race, with a winner takes all prize for first across the line. The race made for exciting racing in the CBD last year, with the women once again being given a time advantage as they start ahead of the men’s field.

 

Sunday begins with an ocean swim off Ngamotu Beach, followed by the elite Continental Cup races from midday.

 

For further information and comment, visit www.triathlon.org.nz/wtf