Kiwis to Compete in International Triathlon

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MEDIA RELEASE
6 September 2006
For immediate release

Kiwis to Compete in International Triathlon

Just one week on from the World Championships in Lausanne, and New Zealand’s top triathletes are set to start all over again as the first of 15 World Cup events gets underway this weekend in the build up to the 2007 Championships.

Nine New Zealand high performance triathletes will line up to compete in the International Triathlon Union (ITU) Hamburg BG World Cup race in Germany this Sunday [9 September].

Included in the starting ranks this weekend are triathletes Bevan Docherty Kris Gemmell, Carmel Hanly, Andrea Hewitt, Taryn McLeod, Ben Pulham, Shane Reed, Debbie Tanner and Samantha Warriner who will compete against more than 150 international triathletes in both the elite men’s and women’s events at Hamburg.

Triathlon New Zealand High Performance Director, Stephen Farrell, said the Hamburg triathlon comes in the wake of the success of New Zealand triathletes at the 2006 ITU World Championships held in Switzerland last weekend.

“New Zealand triathlete Hamish Carter took out the silver medal in the elite men’s event while Kris Gemmell finished fourth in the same race,” Stephen said.

Stephen said the Hamburg triathlon is the first of 15 World Cup events to be held over the next year at which athletes can earn points to gain entry to the 2007 World Championships, which will be held in Hamburg on 1-2 September 2007.

“It’s an important race, as our athletes will want to start the World Cup circuit on a good footing.”

He said the course at Hamburg features a lake swim, likely to be raced in wetsuits, followed by a flat cycle and run leg.

“The course is generally flat but will still push our athletes to the full extent of their abilities.

“The cycle leg features a number of tight turns which will make for an exciting race.”

Stephen said two of the competing triathletes achieved success at Hamburg last year. Samantha Warriner finished in first place in the elite women’s event, while Kris Gemmell came in sixth in the men’s event after a close sprint to the finish line.

“Our triathletes are performing well and have had some great results at Hamburg in the past,” he said.

“I look forward to seeing how the New Zealand team goes over the weekend.”

Live coverage of the Hamburg triathlon will be available at www.triathlon.org

ENDS

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