Cycling: Winners back to defend titles

Hayden Wilde (white helmet) on his way to winning last year's Nugget Multisport event in Waihi.

Last year's 2015 Nugget Multisport winners Hayden Wilde and Corrinne Smit from Whakatane are chasing back-to-back titles in Waihi on May 7.

Both athletes used the Nugget Multisport race as a springboard into their 2016 Coast to Coast (CTC) campaigns.

Wilde went on to win the two-day event, while Smit, 26, was in second place in the Longest Day category when a broken kayak rudder cable put paid to her campaign.

Waihi's Nugget multisport race format of road cycle/kayak/road cycle/trail run/mountain bike has the same disciplines as the CTC, in a much shorter 78km course. The Nugget's winning times are around the 4-hour mark, while the bigger event sees the champion home in 12 hours plus.

Wilde, 19, recently moved to Tauranga and won his age group and finished 5th overall at the challenging Xterra in Rotorua last weekend.

He says the shorter duration makes the Nugget ideal as an introduction for multisport novices.

"If people want to give it a go, the Nugget is the perfect distance for a good tussle with mates or rivals. The course and scenery are beautiful, not just for those racing, but also the support crews. The trail run down the coastline is the best," he said.

Smit says the Nugget "is always good to see where you're at training-wise".

"Shorter than CTC, it gives you a good indication of the speed you do or don't have at the time. Most of all, it's heaps of fun."

While Smit is focused on returning to complete unfinished business at the CTC, Wilde is set to leave multisport to chase his Olympic dream in triathlon but says he will be back.

"Absolutely. It's where I started and it's where I want to finish, especially doing the one-day CTC. I'd also love to race around the planet like some of my local multisport idols do, like Sam Clark and Neil Jones," he said.

Perhaps the secret to their success can be found in their upbringing.

Both grew up in Whakatane surrounded by multisport. Wilde puts his success in part to the culture at Trident High School.

"The school is really strong in multisport, adventure racing, mountain biking and outdoor education. You just get drawn into it. There are so many students going to adventure races and you learn a lot from the older students. The Tri-club is also super-strong, so every race pits you against real talent."

The 2016 Nugget Multisport Festival in Waihi is not just for elite athletes. You don't have to do the full race, with many options available to suit every participant, including a duathlon, half marathon, 10km and 5km runs and walks.

- Information www.thenugget.co.nz.