TRIATHLON

Kiwi quartet to line up for 32nd Kellogg's IRONMAN New Zealand

By Sports Media NZ

The commanding Kiwi quartet are set to take on not only each other but an expected strong international field for the 32^nd Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand in Taupo next month.

Cameron Brown, the undisputed King of Taupo, has confirmed that he will line-up to chase his 12^th victory in New Zealand and will be joined by fellow Kiwi stars, Gina Crawford, Terenzo Bozzone and Dylan McNeice for the race on Saturday 5 March.

Professional entries have now closed with the seeds due to be named by the end of the week.

With the recent cancellation of IRONMAN Melbourne after a clash of dates with the Formula One Grand Prix, a significant number of triathletes, both professionals and age-groupers, are expected to now cross the Tasman for the only early season race in Asia-Pacific.

Brown, now 43 years young, is feeling like a young pup ahead of the race.

“My motivation is as strong as ever,” said the 43-year-old Brown. “I’m very excited about the race and my mind’s fresh. The race is always tough, there are always new challengers, but I hope to challenge again.”

Brown enjoyed a fantastic first half to 2015 winning his first IRONMAN New Zealand for four years last March and later finishing second at IRONMAN Cairns. His second half of the year took a nose dive as a period over-training at altitude in Boulder coupled with an emergency dental appointment impacted upon his ability to perform well in his return to the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona.

But he is fully recovered and fit for another tilt at Taupo.

Bozzone and McNeice completed an all-New Zealand podium last year in Taupo.

On four previous occasions, Bozzone has claimed second spot in his home IRONMAN event but each time he has found Brown just too good.

Yet after enjoying the benefit of an impressive 2015, which included a string of podium finishes and eye-catching victories in the Challenge Dubai and IRONMAN 70.3 Budapest events, the 2009 IRONMAN 70.3 world champion is confident he can finally deliver the race he knows he is capable.

“Running a great Ironman race has always been something that has eluded me and I’d like to put that right,” admits Terenzo, who last year became a dad for the first time following the birth of his son, Cavallo.

“I’ve definitely grown up a lot emotionally and mentally when it comes to knowing my body and knowing what it takes to become an Ironman champion. Physically, I know I can push my body deeper than anyone, it’s just a matter of getting it right on the day.”


Cameron Brown celebrates his 11^th Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand in Taupo last year.
The image is free for editorial use. Photo © Delly Carr

McNeice is the new boy on the block, impressing with his third placing on debut last year.
Besides his third place finish in Taupo, last year he finished third at IRONMAN Cairns and IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo and secured victory in Wanaka.

“Last year I really didn’t know how my body was going to respond, but I feel like I can do a few things differently and better this year I’m probably going to have to have the best race I possibly can.”

The reason is that McNeice has embarked on a lot of hard bike miles, joining local cyclists with more high-end power work, after finding this was his shortcoming last year, especially when he ventured to the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii for the first time.

Crawford has developed into one of the most consistent Ironmn triathletes on the planet, never finishing off the podium at Taupo including victory in 2009.

In the last three years she has finished runner-up to the might of American Meredith Kessler, who is more suited to the strength course in Taupo.

“Taupo has proved a bit of a heartbreak race for me in the past. The course doesn’t particularly suit me.
“Meredith is an outstanding performer in Taupo. She is such a classy athlete and if the world championship took place in a cooler climate than Kona, Meredith would be world champion.

“I don’t think anyone expects me to win. I’m not setting too many goals. I am happy to see what happens and simply go with the flow.”

That comes with a change for Crawford and her family, who have returned to live in Christchurch, settling in North Canterbury, after moving away after the initial earthquakes nearly five years ago.

The professional field will compete for nearly NZ$115,000 in New Zealand richest annual one-day sporting race, with more than 1300 age group competitors battling for a record 55 qualifying slots for the IRONMAN World Championship.

Details: www.ironman.co.nz