Triathlon weekend draws strong field

At early-morning swim training sessions lately, there's been a fair amount of talk about races in Wanaka this weekend, with many of my training mates heading down there.

Tonight, the Triathlon New Zealand Contact Energy Series of seven events continues with a sprint-distance race. You can race as many in the series as you like and your best four count for points for the national series crown.

This race will be fast and furious, with the bike section over a 10-lap draft-legal criterium-style course. Jon Linyard is the defending series champion in the 35-39 age group and he'll be racing again.

For Chris Whitaker it's all a new challenge. He's been training under Jon's guidance, not just in the swim, but for the complete triathlon package.

"Jon is my second wife – constantly telling me what to do and for my own good!"

Chris is keen to gather some points and break into the top five over the season in his 30-34 age group.

"I'm really looking forward to the multiple lap format of the race. The crowd will be a big positive, but I'm worried about counting the 10 bike laps wrong."

The reason there'll be a big crowd is because the race is part of a weekend triathlon extravaganza which continues tomorrow with full and half ironman-distance races.

Martin Bennett, Nigel Burgess, Chris James, Jake Stow and Alex Grigg will be lining up for the half ironman distance, as will the team combination of Kent and Anna Gibbons and the top-rated duo of Elina Ussher – who'll be biking and running – in combination with top swimmer Ally Boggs.

One of my regular swim training mates, Martin's total training package for the past eight months has been under Lionel Padial.

"I've achieved what I consider to be a solid base for the race.

"Lionel's programme has been enjoyable. An easy buildup of duration from week to week with easier periods in there for the body to be able to adjust to the added distances. With extra advice on technical aspects of triathlon the process has been fantastic."

Another swim training mate on Saturdays is Nigel Burgess:

"I've committed six weeks' specific training for this.

"I've done a lot of strength-tempo running off the bike and feel particularly strong in this regard. Swimming has improved somewhat but still a long way off the level that my running and cycling is, so looking to make my mark on bike and hang on as best I can with the run speed that I have. I am probably in the best shape in all three sports simultaneously that I have been in for a few years right now so just looking forward to racing and pushing myself.

"My main goal, besides being first Nelson person home, is breaking 4hr 30min for the race and aiming for mid 1hr 20min for the [half marathon] run and perhaps top 3-5 in age group."

Chris James is a veteran of distance racing and did the Wanaka race in 2007.

"I know the lay of the land and it's going to be great racing against the other Nelson locals. I would like to break five hours, but with an undulating ride I will need to race hard to reach my goal."

Competing in the full ironman distance are Caro Gates, Murray Tewnion, Thomas Pettersson and Richard Ussher.

Thomas is an unknown quantity in his first full ironman distance race.

He took up cycling six years ago and found it a tough discipline.

"But then I learnt that some individuals chose to throw another two sports into the mix AND cover some totally insane distances too."

Thomas first tried Coast to Coast and won his age group two years ago in his first effort.

Last year he found himself in Wanaka, watching. The challenge was too much to resist. The only problem was, he couldn't swim.

"I teamed up with Lionel Padial at Riverside. After my first assessment he realised he had his work cut out.

"The end result has been very encouraging and I will do my best to keep my place in the initial swim, then put my trusty cycling legs to work to arrive at the start of the run with a very happy and smiley face possible in just a few short hours more.

"It's going to be a huge experience. But it's so much more than just the race itself as this `process' has been my life for the last 12 months.

"Regardless of how the day turns out I have learnt a lot on the way, both personally and sporting-wise."

Many eyes will be on Richard Ussher, holder of the fastest-ever time over the ironman distance by a New Zealander.

Richard is in good shape and targeting more ironman events this year. He's always well prepared.

You can check progress and results at challenge-wanaka.com.