Press
Release
Devonport
International Triathlon
ITU Oceania
Regional Championships
International Triathlon Union Oceania champions Hamish
Carter and Samantha Warriner will attempt to defend their titles at this Saturdays
Devonport International Triathlon. 12 months ago the two Kiwis thrilled their
home crowd in Queenstown, this Saturday both face significant challenges at
the ITU’s first regional championship for 2004.
Warriner faces the prospect of a field that includes
world number 1 Barb Lindquist (USA), 2002 world champion Leanda Cave (GBR),
Australian Olympic squad member Maxine Seear, and former world champions Nicole
Hackett and Emma Carney. Melissa Ashton, Liz Blatchford, Felicity Abram, Nicki
Egyed and Mirinda Carfrae demand respect in what shapes as a quality women’s
field.
Carter is looking for 3 Oceania titles in a row. Olivier
Marceau (SUI) the 2000 world champion is clearly a threat as evidenced by
his 3rd place at last year’s world championships. Andrew Johns
(GBR) won this race in 1998 and with Carter and Marceau there is the prospect
of no Australian on the podium. Chris McCormack, Craig Alexander, Miles Stewart,
Brad Kahlefeldt and Richie Cunningham will need to lead the Australian charge.
The depth of both women and men’s field s have been
boosted by the presence of a strong contingent of New Zealand triathletes
and squads from the Australian Institute of Sport, the New South Wales Institute
of Sport and Queenslands Academy of Sport.
The Devonport event is celebrating its 20th
birthday. From humble beginnings in 1985 the races development has mirrored
the dramatic growth the sport of Triathlon has experienced since the early
1980’s. This year’s event has attracted the largest elite women and men’s
fields of all time. 30 women and 55 men have entered Saturdays race.
In addition to the elite events Age group triathletes
from all around Australia will be racing with many looking to secure selection
to the Australian team for the forthcoming ITU world championships in Madeira
in May.
Malcolm Wells
Kerry Stubbs
Devonport Triathlon Association
Executive Officer
0407256337 Devonport
Triathlon Association
malcolm.wells@bigpond.com
64234548 OR 0418 106 160