KEY POINTS:
A stomach virus has derailed the chances of Kiwi favourite Cameron Brown winning a record sixth Ironman New Zealand in Taupo tomorrow.
While Brown is a definite starter for the race his preparation has been jeopardised by the virus as he looks to become the first triathlete to
win an international ironman qualifier six times.
"It hit Wednesday night and it took a lot out of me," he said.
"I couldn't eat for 24 hours so it's not the best thing coming into an ironman endurance event like this.
"I was pretty scared, on Thursday especially. I've been getting better and better every day but until you get out and race you never know how your going to feel, your pushing your body at 100 per cent so that's a little bit different to training."
If Brown is not feeling in top condition tomorrow it would be a disaster for the 33-year-old who after fives years of dominating the Taupo course missed breaking the record in last year's drastically weather-effected race.
Rough conditions forced organisers to cut the swim and reduce the bike to a 90km ride, which made way for Estonian Ain-alar Juhanson to take the victory.
And while Brown put last year's disappointment behind him with a breakthrough victory at the European Ironman, after dominating the event for so long he would dearly love to get back in the Taupo winner's circle.
"This race has got a lot of history and it's been very good to me so I'm really excited about coming back," he said.
"Hopefully the weather will be settled and we get a swim but it's going to be one of those days where I'll have to wake up and see how I feel and if I feel good I know I'll be alright."
"Over the years there's been a lot of challenges and tomorrow again there's a few guys who'll be pushing me the whole way so it will be a nice mile stone to tick off."
Looking to spoil Brown's party is number one-seed Juhanson who is returning to defend his crown, Denmark world long-distance champion and third-seed Torbjorn Sindballe and top Australian Luke Bell.
And with Brown hopefully having overcome his illness he can firmly concentrate on them.
In the women's race, Kiwi favourite Joanna Lawn is looking to achieve a milestone of her own as she sets her sights on a fifth consecutive title.
If the Aucklander can cross the finish line first tomorrow she will become the most successful woman in Ironman New Zealand history, surpassing the four achieved by New Zealand's greatest triathlete Erin Baker.
Lawn, the number-one seed, will see-off challenges by talented Americans Heather Gollnick and Hillary Biscay.
Mother of three Heather Gollninck is a former world age group Olympic distance champion and also has a win and five podium finishes since moving to the ironman distance three years ago.
While third seed Hillary Biscay is arguably the hardest working triathlete in the world with an astonishing six ironman races last year. On top of that she finished in the top five in all of them and on the podium in three.
The race starts at 7am tomorrow with the first elite male expected back about 3.30pm.