Hewitt keen to continue strong start
Christchurch triathlete Andrea Hewitt wants to break her second place hoodoo and go one better for gold at the international triathlon World Cup tomorrow.
The 34-year-old three-time Olympian has started this year in fine form, winning the seasonopening world triathlon series Abu Dhabi race last month, and is tipped to continue this form in New Plymouth.
‘‘It has been a perfect start to the season. I went overseas in February and started the season a little earlier than normal and headed to the Caribbean and raced in Antigua and Barbuda,’’ she said.
‘‘That was a cool experience racing there and a good heat training block before going to Abu Dhabi and the race went perfectly for me.’’
While Hewitt has featured on the podium for the last two years running, the veteran won’t be satisfied until she can resume top spot.
‘‘The last two years I have had silver in New Plymouth, I have gold from Auckland one year, but it is always good to win – especially at home.
‘‘I know the course and hopefully with a big home crowd it will be a good one.’’
There is likely to be some strong competition for Hewitt, with many athletes using the race as a warmup before the second round of the Gold Coast World Series.
Hewitt’s strong win in Abu Dhabi was significant not only for her form, but her emotional tribute to her late fiance and coach, French triathlete Laurent Vidal, who died in 2015 after a heart attack.
Hewitt put aside her grief to compete on the international circuit in 2016 and finished seventh at
"I love racing in New Zealand and I don't get many opportunities."
the Rio Olympic Games, before winning the Abu Dhabi race for her first WTS victory since 2011.
Hewitt is typically strong across all three disciplines, and is always prepared to mix it on the bike, especially on a course that offers a climb or two such as New Plymouth.
‘‘I will try and have a great allround race - the last few years we have had a small group away on the bike and we have worked well together. The forecast suggests a chance of some rain as well which might help with smaller groups on the bike and heading out on the run.
‘‘For me I love racing in New Zealand and I don’t get many opportunities. It is hard to plan an international season and then also do some of the smaller races in the New Zealand summer, so it is great to have this world cup here in New Plymouth.’’
Her association with the event goes back a long way. ‘‘I call it my home race even though it is not my home-town, but this is definitely my home race for the year.’’
Like many athletes in a postOlympic year, Hewitt is changing things up a little in her approach to 2017.
‘‘I have been to three Olympic Games now and am at the end of my career, so I am going on feeling as to what suits me best. I have changed in the sense that I am not going to spend half the year in Europe, with around four months there this time. I am cutting my season shorter, but not the training. I will be training in Christchurch, I like being at home and it feels better for my training.’’