Three-time champ eyes fourth victory

DEFENDER: Meredith Kessler is top seed for Ironman New Zealand next month in Taupo. PHOTO/DELLY CARR 200215RUN

AMERICAN star Meredith Kessler will be chasing a slice of history in next month's Ironman New Zealand in Taupo.

Kessler will be seeking her fourth straight victory in Taupo, which would make her the most successful international in the 31-year history of the world's oldest Ironman qualifying race.

The 36-year-old has been awarded the top seeding for the race on Saturday, March 7, which will offer more than $100,000 in prize money for professionals and 50 qualifying spots for the Ironman World Championship.

Kessler, who has seven Ironman victories to her credit, currently shares three victories in New Zealand with Australian Jan Wanklyn, although still behind the top Kiwis Erin Baker with four wins and Jo Lawn with seven.

Kessler has carved out a niche in Taupo, which has become her second home in recent times.

"When we were starting this journey, we never thought I would have the opportunity to win a race, let alone win four in a row at one venue," Kessler said, who won five out of her eight races last year, in Ironman and Ironman 70.3.

"If you haven't competed in a triathlon race in New Zealand, you have missed the memo - it should be on everyone's bucket list.

"Taupo and New Zealand is a haven. It is a place where the pace slows in a positive way and we can take a step back and breathe clearly for a while."

Second seeding has gone to New Zealand's star performer, Gina Crawford, the 2009 champion, who has finished runner-up to Kessler in the past two years.

Crawford has enjoyed remarkably consistent form, never finishing outside the top 10 in the last three years, and in 2014 she followed her second in Taupo with third in Ironman Europe and eighth at the Ironman World Championship.

- The top women's seeds are: Meredith Kessler (USA) 1, Gina Crawford (NZL) 2, Melanie Burke (NZL) 3, Mareen Hufe (GER) 4, Stephanie Jones (USA) 5, Conny Dauben (GER) 6, Erin Furness (NZL) 7, Jocelyn McCauley (USA) 8.

- The top men's seeds are: Cameron Brown (NZL) 1, Terenzo Bozzone (NZL) 2, Joel Jameson (GBR) 3, Nick Baldwin (SYC) 4, Mike Schifferle (SUI) 5, Dylan McNeice (NZL) 6, Jose Jeuland (FRA) 7, Andrew Yoder (USA) 8, Simon Cochrane (NZL) 9, Todd Skipworth (AUS) 10.