TRIATHLON

Internationals look to reign on Kiwi parade at IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo

By Sports Media NZ

Two internationals are looking to upset the local hopes at the inaugural Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo on Saturday.

American star Meredith Kessler, who has won IRONMAN New Zealand four times in Taupo, is looking to add to her plethora of international victories over the IRONMAN 70.3 distance.

In-form Australian Tim van Berkel, a multi-podium winner around the globe, is looking to finish his year off in style by outlasting a strong Kiwi field in the men’s race.

The race, which offers 75 qualifying places for age-group competitors for next year’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship on the Sunshine Coast, has attracted more than 1200 participants from 34 countries.

Van Berkel says he is jumping into the lion’s den as the sole Australian against a powerful New Zealand line-up, despite Cameron Brown and former world champion Terenzo Bozzone on the sideline.

Despite an indifferent effort in Hawaii, van Berkel has been in excellent form over the IRONMAN 70.3 distance with victory at Sunshine Coast, venue for next year’s world championship, and close runner-up in the Asia-Pacific Championship in the Philippines.

“I am doing some end of year racing to keep some fitness up. I’ve had a break and while I am not at my best, I am fresh and really looking forward to finishing the year on a strong note.”

He does have a New Zealand link, having moved under Kiwi coach Daniel Plews, a sports scientist for High Performance Sport New Zealand and an outstanding triathlete on his own account.

“I had a really good session with Dan at the weekend and feel good. It will be great to finish the year on a high so I am going to really take it to all these Kiwis.”


Tim Berkel in action. Photo © Delly Carr

There will be considerable interest in the appearance of two leading multisporters from Central Otago. Wanaka’s Dougal Allan produced an outstanding runner-up effort in IRONMAN Sweden on debut while Braden Currie, a two-time Coast to Coast champion and runner up in the recent Xterra Worlds, has his sights on potential qualification for triathlon at the Rio Olympics.

There are some in-form Kiwis who will be pushing for the top of the podium including Dylan McNeice, who was third at IRONMAN New Zealand and IRONMAN Cairns; Mark Bowstead won the Taupo Half last year and a breakthrough IRONMAN 70.3 victory at Buffalo Springs; Callum Millward was runner-up at IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene and Simon Cochrane who was third at IRONMAN Japan.

Add to that the likes of veteran Bryan Rhodes, exciting newcomer Matt Franklin, the well-performed Carl Read, German Michael Wetzel and former Olympic cyclist Matt Randall.

Kessler returns to her favourite home-away-from-home in Taupo after a repeat victory at IRONMAN Arizona.

This year she has enjoyed IRONMAN victories at New Zealand and Arizona, and IRONMAN 70.3 wins at Asia-Pacific Championships at Auckland, Raleigh and Vineman (both USA) and Mont-Tremblant (Canada).

She will head an excellent field that includes IRONMAN Australia champion, Michelle Bremer (NZL), in-form Australian Sarah Crowley (fourth at IRONMAN races in Cairns and Malaysia) and British athlete Laura Siddell, who has a host of top five finishes this year.

With so many established IRONMAN veterans in the field it will be up to Amelia Rose Watkinson to fly the flag for the up and comers. The Kiwi was third in IRONMAN 70.3 Auckland at the start of the year and fifth in Malaysia.

There’s also a smattering of experience and youth. The proven performers include successful multi-sport Kiwi Melanie Burke, Anna Lawrence while former IRONMAN New Zealand winner Sam Warriner.

The rising stars include Kiwi Tineke Stewart, who had fifth placings in IRONMAN 70.3 races in Cairns and Geelong, and is coming back after hip surgery.

The race, comprising a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run, starts at 6.15am for pro men, with pro women three minutes later and age group competitors from 6.24am in wave starts with the winner expected just after 10am.