Madrid last chance to earn top 8 nation status

There are two objectives for the two athletes racing in Madrid this weekend at the latest round of the ITU World Triathlon Series. For current world number 3 Andrea Hewitt the race is a chance to earn yet more valuable ranking points in the race for the world championship and another step towards London while for Nicky Samuels the goal is to earn sufficient points to earn New Zealand and herself a start in London.

Madrid is the final chance for athletes to earn points towards securing top 8 status amongst the best nations in the sport and with it, three spots on the start line in London. While the formula can be complicated, based on their top 3 athletes, New Zealand is currently 7th with Germany (8th) and Switzerland (9th) the big threats early Sunday morning (NZT).

The Germans have long targeted Madrid for a points surge and with a good day are likely to pass New Zealand, the real race is with the Swiss and it may come down to a head to head duel between New Zealand’s number three Samuels and Daniela Ryf.

Tri NZ National Coach Greg Fraine says the team has worked on the mathematics but equally don’t want to get too caught up in anything other than focusing on a strong race.

“Nicky can control the outcome for New Zealand to have three on the start line in London with a strong performance this weekend. Essentially she needs to maintain a gap of no more than 5 to 10 places between herself and Ryf, depending on how Daniela places.

“The good news of course is that currently we have the upper hand and it is the Swiss who have to make up ground, the goal on Saturday is to maintain that position of strength and the best way to do that is simply for Nicky to concentrate on performance and let the result look after itself. She is a strong personality and is ready to go to work; we have complete faith in her this weekend.”

The situation for Andrea Hewitt is somewhat clearer, but she faces the same pressure to perform and in the absence of current world number 1 and 2 Helen Jenkins and Erin Densham, earn good points to move back up the rankings.

“I’m excited to be racing in Madrid this weekend. Most important will be getting nutrition right on Saturday as the race is later than usual with race start at 5.45pm (local time).

“The course is the same as the previous 5 times I have raced here and it has only once been a runner’s race, mostly it is a strength race with the bike separating the field. What will also make the race different is that it's the final chance to accumulate points for Olympic qualification. There will be mini battles within the race within countries and between athletes with similar points and right on the cut of the 55 athletes who will get a start at the London Olympic Games.

“I will just be a spectator to that side race instead I am racing to get up the rankings of the World Championship Series. All the round races are important as the best 4 results plus the result in the Auckland Grand Final in October count towards who will be crowned World Champion in 2012.”

With the New Zealand men having secured their top 3 ranking (currently 3rd) Madrid was never going to feature in the build up to London, consequently it will be a rare sight of no Kiwis on the start line as all continue their preparation for the Games away from the spotlight.