Rugby stars not the only ones up against it in South Africa
The Super 14 semi finals may be attracting plenty of interest but they are not the only New Zealanders flying the sporting flag in the Republic this weekend.
Terrenzo Bozzone will lead a 5 man attack on the next round of the ITU World Cup circuit at Richards Bay in the early hours of Monday morning New Zealand time as the Kiwis chase vital points in a last ditch effort to secure places at future World Cup races and the World Championships later this year.
With New Zealand limited to a maximum of 6 athletes at any one World Cup race, the pressure to be amongst the leading Kiwis on the ITU rankings is intense.
For Bozzone of course it is a return to the country of his birth to race this weekend. The 22 year old is fresh off a 22nd placing at last weekend’s ITU World Cup race in Lisbon and should be stronger after his first competitive outing in over 6 months. That result earned Bozzone enough points to climb 35 places to 103rd on the ITU points list, 6th best of the Kiwis.
Joining the North Shore athlete on the start line will be James Elvery, Martin Van Barneveld, Clark Ellice and Blair Jordan.
Meanwhile New Zealanders will also be in action at the third round of the Asian Triathlon Cup in China. Each of the races is worth $25,000 USD but importantly also offer valuable ITU Points to count towards overall rankings.
Ben Pulham will be looking to continue his good form after winning round two of the series in the Philippines last weekend. That victory equated to a 10th place finish in an ITU World Cup race and further consolidated his 4th ranking amongst the New Zealanders.
With Pulham surging to 57th on the ITU points and Bozzone also improving his position as the 6th ranked New Zealander, pressure will be on 5th ranked Clark Ellice to race well and hold off the challenge of 7th and 8th ranked Kiwis Martin Van Barneveld and James Elvery.
For the women Evelyn Williamson is looking to kick start a disappointing season and gain valuable points to consolidate her position as the fifth New Zealand athlete on the ITU points rankings.
New Zealand entry list for Asian Cup R3, Yicheng, China, 12th May
Male
Name City ITU and NZ ranking*
Ben Pulham Auckland 57th 4th
Sam Walker Auckland 158th 10th
Liam Scopes Auckland 187th 13th
Will Green Auckland 192nd 14th
Dylan McNeice Christchurch 392nd 21st
Female
Evelyn Williamson Wellington 71st 5th
Jenny Cooper 239th 11th
Kelly Bruce Auckland NA
Jacqui Seebold North Shore NA
ITU World Cup R4, Richards Bay, South Africa, 13th May (men’s race underway at 12.30am Monday 14th May NZT)
Male
Clark Ellice New Plymouth 65th 5th
Terrenzo Bozzone Auckland 103rd 6th
Martin Van Barneveld Wellington 108th 7th
James Elvery Auckland 124th 8th
Blair Jordan 179th 12th
* Not including the now retired Hamish Carter
For results and live race coverage of the World Cup race in Richards Bay, go to www.triathlon.org
The men’s elite race will get underway at 12.30am NZT on Monday 14th May.
Terrenzo Bozzone will lead a 5 man attack on the next round of the ITU World Cup circuit at Richards Bay in the early hours of Monday morning New Zealand time as the Kiwis chase vital points in a last ditch effort to secure places at future World Cup races and the World Championships later this year.
With New Zealand limited to a maximum of 6 athletes at any one World Cup race, the pressure to be amongst the leading Kiwis on the ITU rankings is intense.
For Bozzone of course it is a return to the country of his birth to race this weekend. The 22 year old is fresh off a 22nd placing at last weekend’s ITU World Cup race in Lisbon and should be stronger after his first competitive outing in over 6 months. That result earned Bozzone enough points to climb 35 places to 103rd on the ITU points list, 6th best of the Kiwis.
Joining the North Shore athlete on the start line will be James Elvery, Martin Van Barneveld, Clark Ellice and Blair Jordan.
Meanwhile New Zealanders will also be in action at the third round of the Asian Triathlon Cup in China. Each of the races is worth $25,000 USD but importantly also offer valuable ITU Points to count towards overall rankings.
Ben Pulham will be looking to continue his good form after winning round two of the series in the Philippines last weekend. That victory equated to a 10th place finish in an ITU World Cup race and further consolidated his 4th ranking amongst the New Zealanders.
With Pulham surging to 57th on the ITU points and Bozzone also improving his position as the 6th ranked New Zealander, pressure will be on 5th ranked Clark Ellice to race well and hold off the challenge of 7th and 8th ranked Kiwis Martin Van Barneveld and James Elvery.
For the women Evelyn Williamson is looking to kick start a disappointing season and gain valuable points to consolidate her position as the fifth New Zealand athlete on the ITU points rankings.
New Zealand entry list for Asian Cup R3, Yicheng, China, 12th May
Male
Name City ITU and NZ ranking*
Ben Pulham Auckland 57th 4th
Sam Walker Auckland 158th 10th
Liam Scopes Auckland 187th 13th
Will Green Auckland 192nd 14th
Dylan McNeice Christchurch 392nd 21st
Female
Evelyn Williamson Wellington 71st 5th
Jenny Cooper 239th 11th
Kelly Bruce Auckland NA
Jacqui Seebold North Shore NA
ITU World Cup R4, Richards Bay, South Africa, 13th May (men’s race underway at 12.30am Monday 14th May NZT)
Male
Clark Ellice New Plymouth 65th 5th
Terrenzo Bozzone Auckland 103rd 6th
Martin Van Barneveld Wellington 108th 7th
James Elvery Auckland 124th 8th
Blair Jordan 179th 12th
* Not including the now retired Hamish Carter
For results and live race coverage of the World Cup race in Richards Bay, go to www.triathlon.org
The men’s elite race will get underway at 12.30am NZT on Monday 14th May.