Triathlon: One podium step up left for Currie

Braden Currie, of Wanaka, finished second in the Port of Tauranga Half. Photo / George Novak

Braden Currie is looking forward to returning to Mount Maunganui next year and moving up one place to the top of the winner's podium.

The 27-year-old from Wanaka, who has won back-to-back Coast to Coast titles, finished the Port of Tauranga Half in second place on Saturday after taking third spot last year.

"I knew if today was going to be my day then I had to take all the chances," Currie said.

"I knew it was going to be a tough race and I have never raced someone like Craig [Alexander] before so it was awesome to line up alongside him and push him hard."

Currie was particularly pleased with his swim leg at Pilot Bay.

"I have been working a lot on my swim over the last year. It was great to be sitting at the front of the water. I had a goal to come out with Ryan [Sissons] and Mark [Bowstead] ... and go into the bike in a really good position."

Currie was gracious in talking up Cameron Brown who finished behind him in third place. "He is an incredible athlete and I don't think he had a bad day here at all so it is great to beat him on a day when he raced really well."