Kieran Doe Confirms Napier Appearance

Ironman NZ contender Kieran Doe has entered the next round of the Contact Energy My Sport Series in Napier this weekend, one week out from Ironman New Zealand in Taupo.

Doe’s participation will ad some spice to an already impressive entry list and while his focus is very much on Taupo a week later, he will be looking to push himself over the standard distance course in his final competitive hit out before Taupo.

“I like to take on a standard distance event a week out from Ironman; it has always been a good way for me to tune up for the longer race. The swim will be hard out and I will work reasonably hard on the bike too but the run will be more about rhythm and tempo with Ironman in mind. I will certainly be competitive and expect to be at the sharp end of the race but this is all about preparing for the big one a week later.”

Doe has already enjoyed an impressive summer, winning the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman, an event that doubled as the New Zealand Long Course Championships and is likely to be in shape to push Contact Energy Cup series leader Stephen Sheldrake to the wire, albeit Sheldrake will enjoy the shorter distance a little more than Ironman focused Doe.

Regardless, the Napier public is in for a treat with the chance to witness a world class Ironman athlete in action, with Doe shaping as a genuine threat to Cameron Brown in Taupo a week later.

While Doe’s entry was being accepted another was being withdrawn though with Katherine Anton having to pull out of the women’s race due to injury.

The Contact Cup Series leader was disappointed but is planning to be right for the final event at Wellington, a race that carries the added status of the National Standard Distance Championship and Oceania Championship.

“I injured my foot last weekend and for a few days crossed my fingers that I would recover in time for Napier but it is not to be. The injury is not too serious though and I will certainly be recovered and on the start line in Wellington.”

Anton’s withdrawal leaves Beijing contender Nicky Samuels as the stand out favourite in the women’s field with a victory set to move the Whangarei athlete to an unbeatable position at the top of the Contact Energy Cup points table.

The event also caters for beginner and novice athletes with a Tri My Sport race over shorter distances on a user friendly course. Entries are still open and will be accepted up until Friday 22nd. No late entries will be accepted on race day.

Contact Energy My Sport Series

Napier

Saturday 23rd February

Races:
Tri My Sport 500m Swim/16km Road Bike/5km Run
Contact Energy Cup Triathlon - 1500m Swim/40km Road Bike/10km Run

Registration/Late Entries:
If the race is in or near your home town, you may want to consider picking up your race pack the day before the race. This will save you time on race day.
If you are considering entering for the race the day before, be prepare to stand in line a little longer and paying a late fee of an extra $15. Note: No late entries will be taken on Race Day (Saturday 23rd February).

Friday 22nd February, 4 – 8pm in the Marquee next to Transition.
Saturday 23rd February, 7 – 7.45am in the in the Marquee next to Transition.

Start Times:
8.00am Contact Energy Cup - Men
8.05am Contact Energy Cup - Women
8.10am Contact Energy Cup - Teams

8.30am - Tri My Sport

12.30pm - Prize Giving

Contact Energy Cup Points, after five races of seven*

Men


Name
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5


1
Stephen Sheldrake
1000
677
1000
1000
424
3677

2
Martin van Barneveld
791
925
626

266
2921

3
Bobby Douglas
677
536
536
925
266
2674

4
Tony Dodds
856
856


791
2503

5
Tristan Calwell
925
1000
496


2421




Women

1
Katherine Anton
1000
925
925

856
3706

2
Janine Sax
925

856
856
496
3133

3
Nicky Samuels

1000
1000
1000

3000

4
Julia Grant

732
732
732
677
2873

5
Anna Elvery

626

791
424
1841




Athletes count their best four results towards overall points total