New Zealand is famously a country without natural predators on land. Notwithstanding the few birds of prey that are indigenous to the region, the majority of the threats to native fauna have been imported. In many ways, the New Zealand triathlon scene is similar. Being a smaller country in the grand scheme of things, the New Zealand team has to carefully nature the few birds of prey that come its way. Last season, Nicole Van Der Kaay took the win at the New Plymouth World Cup and gave a clear…

With the first World Cup of 2024 comes the chance to make a statement. Perhaps more than any other athlete in the men’s field, Hayden Wilde will be the one to take advantage of the opportunity. Last season, Wilde won the first World Cup of the year. As with Napier this weekend, the event also took place in his home country (in New Plymouth). With home crowds expected to gee him on, another Wilde win seems a likely outcome. Wearing number 1, Wilde is the only WTCS gold medallist from…

Troutbeck, Zimbabwe, was the host of the third Continental Cup of the weekend. Whereas the dramatic affairs in Wanaka and La Guaira were won on the run, the Sprint distance African Cup saw both gold medals secured with exceptional performances on the bike. Men’s race Ayan Beisenbayev arrived in Zimbabwe locked in a tight race for the Asian New Flag slot at the Olympic Games. At this point, every win and medal will be vital on his quest to make it to Paris and he had the chance to start…

The first Olympic distance race on the international circuit took place yesterday in La Guaira, Venezuala. Last year’s men’s winner, Rodrigo Gonzalez, was back to hunt for another gold medal, although several rivals were ready for him. In hot and humid conditions, the racing was certainly not the gentlest start to the season. Women’s race Roksana Slupek arrived in Venezuela on the back of a two race winning streak, having claimed victories at two African Cups at the end of 2023. The Christmas break clearly did her form no harm…

The first international triathlon of 2024 took place in Wanaka, New Zealand, yesterday (notwithstanding the Oceania Para-triathlon Championships that took place earlier in the month). In spite of the early time of year, there were several rapid performances over the Sprint distance event. Women’s race In a slightly surprising turn of events, Emma Jeffcoat did not lead out the swim. Rather, her Australian teammate Zoey Clarke was the quickest in the first discipline, clocking 8:47 for the 750m. Jeffcoat was 4 seconds back and emerged at the head of a…