Cameron Brown is preparing for the race of his life.
For the last two years he's had young triathlete Terenzo Bozzone hot on his heels at Ironman New Zealand in Taupo. He knows third time lucky for Bozzone could mean the end of his reign.
"I know he's out for revenge," Brown
said. "But I'm prepared for that. It's good to have people stepping up to the challenge - he's a very talented athlete and will be the one to beat."
Bozzone has made his intentions known. Ahead of the Taupo half ironman in December Bozzone said coming second to Brown for a third year was not on the plan.
For Brown, Saturday marks the opportunity to make a new record. He's already ranked among the world's top endurance triathletes for his domination of Ironman New Zealand. A win on Saturday will be his 10th, though it won't spell the end of a career.
"I'll keep racing for as long as I'm enjoying it and the passion is still there. Those are the two key things. Once they go I won't be on the start line. I'm still loving it (and) don't want to give up my day job."
He's had a good lead-up, avoiding illness and injury. For most Ironman competitors, next week will be for rest and recovery. Not Brown though - he's heading back to work, flying to the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, a star-studded race with big prizemoney up for grabs.
"It will be a holiday for my wife but I'll be suffering at the back and not expecting to do very well. I'll be just enjoying the race - you never know when you're going to get invited back."
Backing up a week after an Ironman will be a first for Brown - he usually has a few months before his next long distance race.
"I've never done this before. I'll be having a lot of ice baths and recovery massages to try to get the body right. My wife will probably be spending my [Ironman New Zealand] prizemoney while I'm racing."
Ironman NZ men's pro field: Cameron Brown, Terenzo Bozzone, Keegan Williams, James Bowstead, Matt Burgess, Brent Foster, Scott McGregor, Kerry Weeks (New Zealand), Petr Vabrousek (Czech Republic), Mathias Hecht (Switzerland), Hiroyuki Nishiuchi (Japan), Tuuki Miettinen (Finland), Scott Curry (Canada), John Carey, Rich Munro, Gavin Scott (Australia), Heinrich Sickl (Austria).
Brown gifts favourite's tag to Bozzone
Cameron Brown is preparing for the race of his life.
For the last two years he's had young triathlete Terenzo Bozzone hot on his heels at Ironman New Zealand in Taupo. He knows third time lucky for Bozzone could mean the end of his reign.
"I know he's out for revenge," Brown
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