TRIATHLON

Hewitt into the unknown at Abu Dhabi venue for world series opener

By Triathlon NZ

Andrea Hewitt is lining up in a new venue this weekend as she takes part in the opening ITU World Triathlon Series event of the season in Abu Dhabi, before returning home to race at the Barfoot & Thompson Auckland race at the end of March.

Hewitt is cautiously optimistic about this weekend based on some good training in the off-season.

“This is my first race of the year, training has been good in Wanaka for the last two weeks. We were working with the Tri NZ HP team and two other French girls that Laurent is coaching, it was a good group and training was going well. It has been a long trip to get here though, I am feeling well rested but it is a long trip.”

There is a great deal of the unknown about a new race venue such as Abu Dhabi and a new sprint distance course, but Hewitt is experienced enough not to let that phase her.

“I am not sure about the weather, it is changing so much, it could be really hot or it could be 20 degrees and while there could be wind it will be the same for everyone. Anything can change in a year, everyone has done different training I guess but I enjoy both distances, but anything can happen.”

Her training regime has changed, with her coach and partner Laurent Vidal now taking a much more coach orientated role, rather than being out there doing the work with the world number 3.

“I have to think more in training now, I used to train so much with Laurent and just used to follow, now it is different, I am more in front and they (the other athletes) are following me so it is different but I think it is good for me, it has made me more aware of what I am doing.”

Hewitt has a clear focus in 2015 of the World Triathlon Series and will race extensively over the coming weeks.

“I am racing World Triathlon Series, heading back home after this for Auckland, then Gold Coast. I am missing Capetown but going to Yokohama and then on to Europe.”

Hewitt is the sole New Zealander taking part in the opening round of the WTS.

CLICK HERE for the ITU Elite Men’s and Women’s race preview

The women will get the 2015 World Triathlon Series underway at 3pm on Saturday March 7, while the men will follow at 5pm local time. Follow all of the action live at triathlonlive.tv and on twitter @triathlonlive. Trifecta returns this year with new features. Create a new login and pick your favourites now at trifecta.usatriathlon.org.

Click here for international start times for the women and men.