World Champs dreams on the line in Hamburg

Seventy four New Zealanders put their Triathlon dreams and ambitions on the line when the BG World Triathlon Championships get underway tonight (NZT) in Hamburg, Germany.

As well as a team of twenty elite athletes New Zealand will be represented in almost every age group category at the World Championships, each with their own personal goals, each with their own story to tell of dedication and sacrifice in training and fund raising for Germany.

Age group races take place on Sunday evening (NZT) but elite racing commences tonight with the running of the U19 and U23 categories for both men and women and is followed in the early hours of Sunday morning with the Elite Women and then Monday morning for the elite men.

Leading the charge for New Zealand in the women’s race on Sunday morning is world number two Sam Warriner and world number five Debbie Tanner with Evelyn Williamson (61) and Taryn McLeod (78) also on the starting pontoon.

Whangarei’s Warriner is relaxed about her prospects.

"I'm treating the race as I would any other World Cup. That's not to play down the importance of a World Cup, but I've raced consistently well this year and I intend to do exactly the same this Sunday (NZT). I'm going into it focused and mentally in control, I have done all the training now so it's just a case of letting the body do it's thing and seeing what happens."

Warriner fancies her chances on a course that is both familiar and friendly to her.

"I like the venue; after all I won here in 2005. The course is actually quite fun, there's a tunnel you go through in the swim that adds an element of surprise. Then the bike has a deceptive incline on the way out of the transition and with the corners on the second half of the lap it makes it quite technical so it will be fun."

Tanner is another likely to feature strongly after a stellar season on the BG ITU World Cup circuit, her five top ten finishes establishing herself as one of the elite athletes in the world. Renowned for her running ability in particular, Tanner knows that if she can start the 10km run in touch with the leaders that she is a genuine medal chance on a flat, fast course.

Come Monday morning NZT) it will be the turn of the elite men to take to the start pontoon and once again, New Zealand is to the forefront of pre-race predictions. World number three Bevan Docherty and world number four Kris Gemmell have both shown great form of late and are ‘up’ for a strong showing.

Docherty has flown into Hamburg from his training base at Boulder, Colorado.

“Training at altitude is not only tough work but always leaves you just a little unsure about how you are going to race. But training has gone extremely well and I am looking forward to the next fortnight and two big races. This week has been all about freshening up for Hamburg and getting into race mode.”

Docherty says having the Olympic selection race just two weeks after the world’s (in Beijing) is not an issue for him.

“Having the selection race so close to worlds is I think a great idea. It is difficult to peak more than a couple of times during a season so to peak for a two week period and two important races suits me and I’m sure most of the other athletes.”

When quizzed on whether he will be more suited to Hamburg fresh up or Beijing in two weeks, Docherty has a dollar each way.

“It is hard to say; I know that when I am racing well I can easily hold my form for a couple of weeks so my expectation is to race well in both Hamburg and Beijing. The work I have done in training certainly suggests that should be the case.”

Docherty will have good mate and training partner Kris Gemmell for company in Hamburg, with many predicting much of that time will see both Kiwis near the head of the field.

Gemmell is in a relaxed frame of mind.

“Normally I would be starting to get a bit nervous with all the energy building up from a nice big taper. But thanks to Beijing following so close to Hamburg I'm still a little tired from training. But honestly, it’s strange to be heading into a World Championships with my mindset still firmly fixed on my main goal of performing well in Beijing two weeks later.”

The Palmerston North athlete does however see the upside to that lack of pressure.

“It’s strange having no stress heading into normally the biggest race of the year for me. I feel really relaxed, and will be looking to be at the front most of the day. That way I hope to stay out of any trouble that may occur as everyone is a bit nervous in such a big race.”

Docherty and Gemmell will be joined on the start line by fellow top ten ranked athlete Shane Reed (10) and Clark Ellice (66) and Terrenzo Bozzone (73).

Race coverage of all elite races is live on the ITU website, visit www.triathlon.org for details. 


New Zealand Team
Hamburg, August 30th to September 2nd 

Times are race start times NZT

Junior (U19) Female
6.30pm, Friday 31st August

Nicola McKay Tauranga

Tracey Steens Tauranga

Withdrawn

Rebecca Spence North Shore 262


Junior (U19) Male
9.05pm, Friday 31st August

Ben Hoetjes Christchurch

Jos Hoetjes Christchurch

Ryan Sissons Auckland


U23 Female
11.40pm, Friday 31st August

Kelly Bruce Maungaturoto 212

Sarah Bryant Dunedin 260

Jacqui Seebold Auckland 303

Withdrawn due to injury

Anna Hamilton Auckland 332


U23 Male
3.20am, Saturday 1st September

Martin Van Barneveld Wellington 156

William Curtayne Auckland 176

Tony Dodds Wanaka 219

Withdrawn (did not receive wild card entry)

Ben Visser North Shore 376



Elite Female
12.50am, Sunday 2nd September

Sam Warriner Whangarei 3

Debbie Tanner Auckland 5

Evelyn Williamson Kapiti Coast 61

Taryn McLeod Dunedin 78

Not available

Andrea Hewitt Christchurch 4

Nicky Samuels Whangarei 28



Elite Male
1am, Monday 3rd September

Athlete City ITU rank

Bevan Docherty Auckland 3

Kris Gemmell Palmerston Nth 4

Shane Reed New Plymouth 10

Clark Ellice New Plymouth 66

Terenzo Bozzone North Shore 73

Withdrawn due to injury

James Elvery Auckland 90