New Zealand Women Look For Improvement In Madrid

Following disappointing returns at the opening Dextro Energy World Championship Series triathlon in Korea, the New Zealand women are looking for an improved showing in Madrid this weekend in the second race of the lucrative ITU Series.

Madrid heralds the first foray into Europe for the rich 7 event series and Sam Warriner, Andrea Hewitt and Nicky Samuels will be on the start line looking to finish amongst the leaders and pick up valuable world ranking points, not to mention a share of the $150,000 USD on offer.

After crashing heavily in Korea earlier this month, Hewitt (Chch) has been training and racing in France and brings good form to Madrid this weekend, in conditions that should be to her liking.

“I have had some consistent weeks of training leading up to this World Champs Series race in Madrid. I raced last weekend in a sprint distance triathlon in France and was able to hold in there comfortably with the leaders on the run and finished 3rd in a 4 way sprint finish.

“It is forecast for low 30degs this weekend, so with a non wetsuit swim and hot weather I hope to show my strengths and bring my good form to Madrid.”

Hewitt has a good record on the course, having finished second in both 2006 and 2007.

Nicky Samuels (Wanaka) by contrast has been hit by illness soon after arriving in Europe but will race regardless, knowing she has a good break following Madrid.

“I arrived in France last Wednesday and promptly fell sick on the Saturday and wasn’t feeling too flash. I raced in a Club Grand Prix on Sunday with a poor result of 14th so I’m not looking too positively into Madrid but will still attend despite the sickness. I have a break following it so will give it my best shot.”

Warriner has been away from the limelight in recent weeks after concentrating largely on longer distance races in the off season but will be looking to atone for a disappointing 8th place in Korea, not helped by a crash on the bike.

Warriner has however enjoyed a great training block in America, including a ‘training’ personal best 10km run time off a hard bike so she should arrive in Madrid with some confidence.

The Kiwis will not have to contend with the dynamic Australian duo of Emma Snowsill and Emma Moffat, first and second in Korea. Both have chosen to sit this race out before appearing again later in the 7 race series knowing that their best four results will count towards the overall World Championship, including the extra points finale on the Gold Coast in September.

Portuguese World Champion Vanessa Fernandez will also be missing after withdrawing this week to further rehabilitate a broken collar bone suffered in early season training.

There are threats aplenty though with young Canadian Kirsten Sweetland keen to repeat her Mooloolaba and New Plymouth winning form of early in the season. Rising Asian star Jure Ide was third in Korea and will want to step up to the plate in Europe to show she is a genuine contender while the Aussies will be well represented by former World Champion Annabel Luxford.

As the season heads to Spain a large European contingent will be making their way across the continent. Great Britain’s Helen Jenkins, the 2008 World Champion, finished second on the Madrid course just a year ago whilst the big breakthrough of 2008, Hollie Avil, will be looking to get her season underway with a bang. They will be joined on the pontoon with newly crowned British national champion Jodie Swallow.

Luxembourg’s Liz May should prove to be a strong threat, as well Lisa Norden from Sweden, who impressed during the 2008 season with victory at the world cup race in Lorient, France.

Germany’s Olympic athletes, Ricarda Lisk, Anja Dittmer and Christine Pilz will all line up alongside the French duo of Carole Peon and Jess Harrison whilst Athens Olympic gold medalist Kate Allen will be Austria’s sole representative.

Dextro Energy ITU World Champs Series
Madrid, Spain
Elite Women
Sunday 31st May
9.30pm NZT