Triathlon: Army medic from HB raises bar at world champs

Lynne Morgan (left), Fred Koenders and Megan Watson are at the ITU World Championship in Rotterdam this weekend. Photo/Supplied

Megan Watson hopes to build on her successful triathlon season when she takes to the world stage this weekend.

Watson, 23, is competing in the standard distance triathlon (1500m swim, 40km cycle, 10km run) at the ITU World Championship in Rotterdam this weekend, her third time at the age-group championship.

She is aiming to better her 21st placing at last year's championship in Mexico.

Watson has a solid training base and good results behind her, coming second at the aquabike (2km swim, 90km cycle) national championship and third at the standard distance national championship, the previous season.

She works as a medic in the New Zealand Army in Waiouru but remains affiliated with her home club and races for Triathlon Hawke's Bay.

Juggling full-time work with triathlon training, she is in her final semester of part-time study to complete a health science degree in paramedicine.

She is one of three Bay triathletes racing in The Netherlands.

Lynne Morgan is excited to be at her second world championship after competing in London in 2013.

"I began doing triathlon almost by accident ... I had to give up playing tennis and hockey as my knees were getting a bit past their best so I began cycling," says Morgan.

Soon she and her husband were doing duathlons together.

"I began contemplating doing a whole event myself and signed up to do a short women's-only triathlon in Auckland. The level of toughness required to finish that day was surprising as I had considered myself fit but the feeling of achievement at the finish more than made up for the physical challenges of the race," she said.

"I enjoy the discipline of training for triathlon events whether they are a sprint or a half ironman and it is still a family affair as my dad and husband both participate."

A hip injury has hindered Morgan's preparation leading up to Rotterdam but she's keen to do her best and enjoy the pride that comes with wearing the New Zealand uniform.

Triathlon Hawke's Bay life member Fred Koenders is heading off to his third world championship as an athlete, having previously represented his country at Beijing in 2011 and Chicago in 2015. He also managed the New Zealand team in 2014 and 2016.

This championship race will be "pretty special", says Koenders.

"The Netherlands is the land of my parents' birth and I feel a strong connection to that country. It's like my second home."

He has a large family contingent travelling to Rotterdam to watch him race, including his daughter who works in London.

"It is going to be a huge occasion to have that much support on the sidelines."

As executive dean at the Eastern Institute of Technology, Koenders has had to balance training with work and travel commitments.

He credits the supportive nature of Triathlon HB for keeping his motivation levels high.

"The TriHB crew are just the best people to train with and it is never a problem rising at 5am to knock out a 3km swim session".