Kiwis to Compete in International Triathlon

9 August 2006

Kiwis to Compete in International Triathlon

Eight of New Zealand's top triathletes will compete in the International Triathlon Union (ITU) Tiszaujvaros World Cup race in Hungary this weekend.

Triathletes Martin Barneveld, Terenzo Bozzone, Liam Scopes, Sam Mallard, Hamish Carter, Carmen Hanly, Shane Reed and Ben Logan will compete this Sunday [13 August] against more than 140 international triathletes in both the elite men's and women's events at Tiszaujvaros.

Triathlon New Zealand High Performance Director, Stephen Farrell, said the Tiszaujvaros triathlon is a key event for New Zealand triathletes as it is the last selection race for the 2006 Lausanne World Championships. There are a total of 15 ITU World Cup races held throughout the year at which athletes can earn points to gain entry to the World Championships.

"There are still a few places available for the World Champs on 2 and 3 September and a good result this weekend could secure a position at the starting line," Farrell said.

He said the course at Tiszaujvaros is a challenging one that will push our athletes to the edge of their abilities.

"The race starts with a 1.5km river swim in deep water. Athletes will enter the dock with a dive start from a pontoon.

"The athletes will then cycle 10km to the race centre before completing six laps of a five kilometre race course featuring 11 corners per lap. Athletes then finish the race with a flat 2.5km run course in the centre of Tiszaujvaros."

Farrell said New Zealand's triathletes have had some great successes at World Cup races lately with Samantha Warriner winning the Salford World Cup race on Sunday 30 July and Andrea Hewitt finishing third in the same event. Kris Gemmell also won the Corner Brook World Cup race a week prior (23 July) and Hamish Carter took out the Edmonton triathlon on 9 July.

"Our triathletes have won the last three World Cup races and overall, we have had nine triathletes finish in the top three spots in World Cup races this year.

"I look forward to seeing how the New Zealand team goes at Tiszaujvaros this weekend."

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

ENDS

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