New season, new start for Corbidge
An optimistic Sophie Corbidge hopes to put a wretched 2016 behind her when she lines up at the start of the ITU World Cup Triathlon in New Plymouth on Sunday.
After taking months out to overcome serious health issues, including Adrenal Fatigue, the Aucklander has started to recapture her form.
‘‘After a solid start to the year with Takapuna and Kinloch races, I am looking to build on these performances and put together a strong race in New Plymouth,’’ she said. ’’I have been working on all three disciplines to improve fitness and speed, so I’m excited to see what I can achieve this weekend on a course that suits my style of racing.
‘‘This has been one of my most consistent training blocks for several years. I have had a large focus on stressmanagement, injury-prevention and overall enjoyment since my time out in 2016. I believe this will hold me in good stead for a successful and uninterrupted season in 2017.
Taupo’s Nicole van der Kaay will line up for the second time in New Plymouth.
‘‘It’s really great that New Zealand is able to host an ITU World Cup race, once again in New Plymouth,’’ she said. ’’This gives us an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the world’s best in our own country. I really enjoy ocean swimming, so the swim course with its beach run start really suits me.
‘‘This will be my fourth race so far this season -Takapuna, Kinloch, and I recently competed in my first Olympic Distance triathlon at Mooloolaba, also a World Cup race, placing well (fifth).’’
Van der Kaay will back up with a first start in a World Series event on the Gold Coast a week after New Plymouth, and has longer term aspirations of racing back in the country of her family, with the 2017 Grand Final being hosted in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
‘‘Hopefully with some strong results, I will have qualified
Tayler Reid (Gisborne), Hayden Wilde (Whakatane), Kyle Smith (Taupo), Daniel Hoy (Auckland), Ryan Sissons (Auckland), Liam Ward (Auckland) Women: Deb Lynch (Porirua), Nicole van der Kaay (Taupo), Elise Salt (Auckland), Sophie Corbidge (Auckland), Andrea Hewitt (Christchurch), Elizabeth Stannard (Palmerston North).
myself for the World Championship Grand Finale held in Rotterdam, where I might get to see some of my relatives for the first time! Otherwise though my goals are to gain invaluable experience and knowledge through racing in European World Cups and further WTS races, in the process rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s best.’’
Auckland’s Elise Salt was focused on a strong performance on Sunday, with the race a qualifier for the New Zealand team to the U23 World Championships later in the year.