Triathletes Look Forward To New Plymouth Cup Race

MEDIA RELEASE
25 September 2006
For immediate release

Triathletes Look Forward To New Plymouth World Cup Race

Just weeks away from the biggest event on New Zealand’s triathlon calendar, the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup race in New Plymouth [12 November], a team of New Zealand’s top triathletes have had some great results in the ITU Beijing World Cup race.

Yesterday [24 September], triathlete Bevan Docherty finished sixth in the elite men’s race, while Samantha Warriner and Andrew Hewitt came in sixth and seventh respectively in the elite women’s race.

After finishing third in the recent Under 23 World Championships at Lausanne, up-and-coming triathlete Nicky Samuels finished the elite women’s race in twelfth place, with a time of 2.07.10.

Triathlon New Zealand High Performance Director, Stephen Farrell, said it was great to see such strong finishes in the lead-up to the New Plymouth World Cup race.

“Each member of the Beijing team performed well, and will return home over the coming weeks to prepare for the New Plymouth race,” Stephen said.

“This will be the second year New Plymouth has hosted an ITU World Cup race, and our elite athletes are looking forward to the opportunity to compete at an international level in their home country.”
Triathlon New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Dave Beeche, said this year the ITU New Plymouth World Cup race will mark the closing event in the World Triathlon Festival, to be held in New Plymouth from 10-12 November.

The World Triathlon Festival, which is principally sponsored by Yarrows, will offer something for everyone, from young children through to high performance athletes.

“The festival will get underway on the Friday [10 November] with a Weet-Bix Tryathlon for 8-14 year olds,” Dave said.

“Saturday will mark the start of the first race in the Triathlon New Zealand National Series. Kickstarting that event will be the MySport participation race for any New Zealander over the age of 13 years, with both individual and team entries.

“This will be followed by the Contact Energy New Zealand Cup race for medium to advanced level athletes over the age of 18 years.”

The National Series which forms part of the World Triathlon Festival in New Plymouth is a nationwide series of nine events which will be held over the summer months from November 2006 to March 2007.

“The inaugural National Series which is being sponsored by Contact Energy, gives all New Zealanders the opportunity to take part in a triathlon regardless of their age, ability or location,” Dave said.

The event will then conclude with the ITU World Cup race on Sunday 12 November.

He said Triathlon is New Zealand’s fastest growing sport with more and more New Zealanders becoming involved in it at all levels.

“The World Triathlon Festival will be a true celebration of the sport in New Zealand.”

For more information on the World Triathlon Festival visit www.worldtriathlonfestival.com or www.triathlon.org.nz

For more information on Beijing triathlon visit www.triathlon.org

ENDS

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