Hewitt aiming for a better showing
Andrea Hewitt, New Zealand’s leading hope in today’s opening round of the International Triathlon Series, says she is once again ready to tackle Auckland’s gruelling downtown course.
And while top Kiwi male Ryan Sissons says he has recovered from a gashed toe, he has his work cut out trying to stop Spanish Olympic silver medallist Javier Gomez from claiming a fourth Auckland win in as many races.
Hewitt, who was sixth on a frustratingly flat Olympic course at London 2012, is much more at home on the undulating New Zealand circuit – which she says even scares some athletes away.
Having won a 2011 World Cup stage in Auckland, the season when she finished second overall, Hewitt is hoping for a better performance than the sixth place she posted six months ago when the world triathlon grand final was also held in the CBD.
It’s Hewitt’s second race of the season after finishing fourth in Mooloolaba.
‘‘It’s definitely a challenge, it’s different to the flat courses that they have put on in other cities,’’ Hewitt said.
‘‘It’s great to be right in the city, in middle of Auckland, and have a course with hills. Being so techni- cal some athletes are scared, that’s why they are not here. But we are and we are ready to race.
‘‘My form is OK, I raced in Mooloolaba a couple of weeks ago, it’s always good to get one race out of the way before the season starts.
‘‘I’m ready to what happens.’’
Spaniard Gomez is the overwhelming favourite for the men’s title, looking to seal his fourth win in a row in Auckland with formidable British duo Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee both absent.
‘‘I’ve raced here three times, won three times. I have great
race,
we’ll
see memories of all those races. I hope to keep going that way,’’ Gomez said. ‘‘It’s a pretty challenging course, I think all the athletes would agree, especially the bike. It’s very hilly, very technical.
‘‘It’s a course that you really have to work hard on, there’s no where to hide.
‘‘It’s really good to be back here. It’s much better weather this time and I hope everyone will enjoy it.’’
Sissons, ranked 19th in the world, was 11th last time in Auckland, and says he is targeting more consistent top 10 finishes.
‘‘I know the course really well, I live in Auckland. I like the course, last year it was a bit wet but hopefully this year will be even better,’’ Sissons said.
The men’s race begins at 12.06pm, followed by the women at 3.06pm.