2011 Auckland ITU World Cup to finish the season on a high
Preview of next year's World Champs final set for Auckland this weekend
The 2011 ITU World Cup series hits its final destination this Sunday in New Zealand. It’s been three years since the last world cup event in this triathlon mad country, in New Plymouth, and the last race in Auckland was in 1998.
But triathlon is back in a big way to the nation that has produced champions like Hamish Carter, Samantha Warriner, Bevan Docherty and Andrea Hewitt. This World Cup is not only the finale for 2011, it’s also the preview for next year’s ITU World Championship Series Grand Final.
In the women’s race, it’s hard to bet against Hewitt who is coming off two consecutive Dextro Energy Triathlon Series wins. In the men’s race, her partner and coach Laurent Vidal will also wear the No.1 in the men’s race, and is a strong chance to continue the recent French run of World Cup form. But there will be challengers for both on this tough course, in particular Nicky Samuels (NZL), Ai Ueda (JPN) and Vicky Holland (GBR), and in the men’s New Zealanders Bevan Docherty, Kris Gemmell, Ryan Sissons, James Elvery and Tony Dodds. Read the full preview here
About the race:
Auckland is New Zealand’s biggest city and the Queens Wharf waterfront one of its most lively areas. It became even more so in the last two months, when it was home to the Rugby World Cup fan zone, which finished just last month with New Zealand’s own All Blacks claiming the title. Now, triathlon gets it chance to shine right in Auckland’s CBD, with this event the perfect dress rehearsal for next year’s Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Grand Final. Also watch the age-group races this weekend, with triathlon legends Hamish Carter, Rick Wells and Scott Molina racing.
SCHEDULE:
Elite Women – Sunday 20 November – 12:00 (UTC/GMT +13) Click here for time in your area
Elite Men – Sunday 20 November- 14:45 (UTC/GMT +13) Click here for time in your area
WEBSITES:
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
