Triathlon New Zealand Names Team For London World Champs
Triathlon New Zealand High Performance Director Graeme Maw has confirmed the New Zealand team for the 2013 ITU World Triathlon Championships in London in September with the Tri NZ Selection Panel naming the U23 athletes today to add to the U19 and elite athletes already confirmed for London.
Simone Ackermann (Whangarei), Sophie Corbidge (Auckland) and Rebecca Kingsford (Tirau) make up the women’s U23 team, Ackermann’s selection is subject to a return to fitness after recent injury concerns.
Maw congratulated the athletes named today.
“The Tri NZ High Performance Programme is set up to unambiguously be a medal-winning programme, and we are very conscious of the significance of the U23 step in the pathway to senior international success.
“With her excellent 9th place at last year’s World U23 Champs in Auckland and current status as Oceania U23 champion, it is great to have Simone back to lead the team, and we hope she makes it back from injury in time. Both Sophie and Rebecca raced strongly earlier in the year; with Sophie’s win in the Australian Sprint Champs in Geelong a highlight.”
Meanwhile the selectors have taken the unusual step of not naming any men in the U23 team for London, as the sport continues to stay true to its medal winning focused programme.
“Unfortunately in the U23 men we do not have anyone competing at the required level at present. The U23 international competition is fierce, with the likes of the Brownlees (Great Britain) and Aaron Royle (Australia) having gone from U23 medals to the World Triathlon Series in quick succession in recent years emphasising how competitive this age group is.
“Robert Huisman, Harrison Dean, Cam Todd, Mike Phillips and Sam Osborne have all been progressing and gaining invaluable international experience – for which they are to be commended. With Aaron Barclay and Andy Ranford returning from injury, we will be better placed next year. But we must stay true to our goals, and maintain a high bar to drive the aspirations of all of our development athletes.”
The U19 athletes selected earlier this year to also compete in London are:
Under 19 girls: Jaimee Leader - Palmerston North, Mikayla Nielsen – Waikato, Nicole van der Kaay - Taupo.
Under 19 boys: Tayler Reid – Gisborne, Sam Ward - Auckland
Meanwhile the elite athletes set to compete in the ITU World Triathlon Series Grand Final (where athletes accumulate points throughout the series to find a world champion) are:
Elite Women: Andrea Hewitt, Christchurch. Kate McIlroy, Wellington. Nicky Samuels, Wanaka
Elite Men: Tony Dodds – Wanaka, Clark Ellice - New Plymouth, Bryce McMaster – Auckland, Ryan Sissons - Auckland
Further to these teams, the following athletes have been selected to represent New Zealand in the elite categories of the Aquathlon (swim/run) World Championships, also held in London in September.
Elise Salt - Auckland (U19 girls), Maddie Dillon – Auckland (U23 women), Anneke Jenkins – Tauranga (elite women), Rebecca Clarke – Auckland (elite women - subject to demonstrating performance criteria)
Maw says the experience will be vital for all selected.
“The Aquathlon is another chance for all four athletes but in particular Elise and Maddie in the age group races to further develop their speed and gain vital international experience which will only assist them in their ongoing triathlon careers.”
New Zealand will also be sending a large age group team to London to compete in the 2013 ITU World Age Group Championships, held at the same time as the elite competition.