Rhodes And Samuels Headline Timaru Round Of Contact TRI Series

22 January 2009, 4:20PM
Triathlon New Zealand

The Contact Tri Series moves to Timaru this weekend with round 3 of the overall series featuring two of New Zealand’s leading triathletes.

Racing is offered in the Contact 3:9:3 for beginner and novice triathletes and the more experienced athletes will be racing in the Contact Trophy race over the standard distance.

Included in the Contact Trophy Race is current points leader Nicky Samuels (Wanaka) and Ironman competitor Bryan Rhodes (Taupo). Samuels has been in great early season form with blistering wins in both Whangamata and Wanaka last weekend, when she rode away from a field that included world number 13 Elizabeth May (Luxembourg).

Samuels is taking time out from the high altitude training camp to compete and again will be training through the race. Anyone watching Samuels race in Whangamata and especially Wanaka however would agree that the world number 33 is in great early season shape and looks to have well and truly overcome the pelvic injury that sidelined her for much of last year.

Her closest opposition is expected to come from 23 year old Anna Elvery (Auckland) and 24 year old Julia Grant (Christchurch). Both are former elite U23 athletes with Grant finishing 8th in difficult conditions in Wanaka while Elvery withdrew with illness but will be hoping for a strong showing after racing in the Tour de Femme earlier in the month. Both will want to race well and grab the chance of a podium finish

Rhodes is a man who loves to race and is always competitive, albeit his focus is on returning to Ironman Malaysia in late February for an event he has won twice. Rhodes spoke from Christchurch where he has been training.

“Sunday will be a great hit out in good non-drafting conditions with a reasonable distance of racing to get a good gauge of where my training is at ahead of Malaysia. It is a nice course and over the Olympic distance you get time to find a rhythm and settle into a race, not like some of the sprint races that are over too quickly for me.

“Things are going well at the moment and I am feeling pretty strong. I’ve enjoyed the heat in Christchurch these last few weeks as well which again is good preparation for Malaysia. Plus it is nice to be back in the old home town and catch up with family and friends.”

The earlier Contact 3:9:3 races are expected to once again prove a popular way for first time triathletes to get a taste of the sport or for those who have been away from the sport for some time to get back into it.

The distance is short, the course easy (and flat) and the swim close to shore for nervous swimmers. And for those wanting to enter as a team, they can share the workload if they choose.

Another point of difference on Sunday is the inclusion of a Kayak or Duathlon option for competitors, once again making it easy for all to consider taking part regardless of their backgrounds. Organisers expect it might even appeal as a cross training exercise for those taking part in the Speights Coast to Coast next month.

Entries are still being accepted online or at registration in Timaru on Saturday from 4pm to 7pm at the Caroline Bay Hall, or on the morning of the race from 7am to 8.30am at the race venue.

For course descriptions and maps, visit www.triathlon.org.nz

Contact 3:9:3
9.00am – Men
9.05am – Women
9.10am - Teams

Contact Trophy (Age Group)
9.30am – Men
9.35am – Women
9.40am – Teams + Kayak and Duathlon options

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