When Washington plays host to the third round of the Dextro Energy ITU World Championship Triathlon Series this weekend the New Zealanders are expected to contend for podium honours after picking up victories in Korea (Bevan Docherty) and Madrid (Andrea Hewitt).
Despite the withdrawal this week of 2008 world number one Sam Warriner, the New Zealand womens contingent has a strong look to it with Debbie Tanner, Rebecca Spence and Andrea Hewitt backing up from her win in Spain.
In the mens race Bevan Docherty returns after sitting out Madrid, and is looking to add to his win from Korea. He will be joined by New Plymouths Clark Ellice on the start line as Kris Gemmell takes time out from the circuit.
Training has been going fantastically well without too many issues so I am looking forward to another good race, said Docherty. I decided in my planning to miss Madrid and concentrate on Washington and have spent a good few weeks training at altitude at my base in Boulder, Colorado.
I havent raced on the course before but it is pretty flat and should lead to an exciting competition. The bike turnaround is at the White House and we are riding and running past some famous landmarks. That is part of the draw card for me to race in some of the worlds more famous locations and the new World Series is certainly achieving that aim.
However Docherty wont be stopping to admire the views though and knows he will be in a fierce battle. This is a tough field, a lot of the top guys are lining up in this one, some that I am keen to put in their place with some old scores to settle. Im in good shape and have a good chance of a good result so am looking forward to it. This is my first race against Jan Frodeno [Olympic gold medallist] since Beijing so Im hoping to continue the good start to the year and get one up on him.
For Christchurchs Hewitt, it is a case of looking to find consistency and back up from her incredible win in Madrid.
Washington DC will be my first triathlon in America, so Im looking forward to the new experience. I did however visit the capital city in 2002 when I was travelling around after spending time in Detroit for Camp America, so it won’t all be new. It is a beautiful city and it will be a spectacular race being so close to all the famous landmarks.
My win in the last round of the World Championship Series in Madrid gives me real confidence going into this round in Washington DC; once again it will be a case of giving it my all in what is a top quality field.”
Tanner meanwhile is looking to make up for lost ground after finishing 23rd in Korea and missing Madrid. She too has been training in Boulder ahead of the race.
Training has been going well although at altitude you cant do the speed work you might at sea level. It is a little hard to judge my form but I have felt great in training. I am an athlete that enjoys racing and improves with each outing so I cant wait to get out there and race again this weekend.
My poor result in Korea has led to an adjustment in my programme for the later part of the year but that is part of performing in such a series of races. Washington is a new course for me so there is a small element of the unknown but I am expecting warm and humid conditions on a flat and fast course and have prepared accordingly.