IRONMAN NZ
* Tomorrow, 6.45am, Taupo
The reigning royalty of the Ironman - Cameron Brown and Jo Lawn - could be under threat of a coup at tomorrow's 26th Bonita Ironman New Zealand.
Fellow Kiwis Gina Crawford and Terenzo Bozzone pose the most serious threats on the streets of Taupo, with New Zealand now boasting four
Ironman exponents of absolute world class.
Crawford, nee Ferguson, grabbed her place on the throne with last year's breakthrough victory and she added a fourth Ironman win when she defended her crown in Western Australia before Christmas.
Lawn, the six-time winner in Taupo, is definitely out to regain top billing and feels like a new-born athlete after correcting long-term issues with her nutrition and riding position on the bike. Major fatigue forced her to withdraw from racing in Germany mid-year, but as the air fares had been bought, she decided to go as a holiday. A friend in a bike shop in Germany diagnosed the issue with her riding position which required a special mouthguard to correct a jaw position. From there she met a physiotherapist who also noted her anaemic condition and put her on to a nutrition specialist. As a result, Lawn has had a major change of attitude with her approach to food.
"She has totally changed my thinking and approach to food and life, for that matter. It took a few months - but I am now eating healthy food and feeling fantastic."
After two contentious four-minute, stand-down penalties in Hawaii, a fit and healthy Lawn zoomed through the field to finish seventh.
"I feel great for the first time in years. I have energy and I am loving the training. The data from my bike shows I am stronger and more efficient - and I am feeling much better off the bike."
At 37 years young, here's the scary news. Cameron Brown is getting faster.
"Last year I set a new race record in Taupo and I had my best marathon run in the event. All the data from my power monitor indicates that I am producing more power on the bike.
"I may be 37 but I am continuing to improve as an athlete and get faster. That's exciting and a boost in my confidence."
A recurrence of the calf strain cost him entry in the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman in January, but Cameron has bounced back quickly after several weeks off running.
"At my age now I can do a little bit less of the massive mileage, especially on the bike. But I am training with more intensity and the power metre indicates I am stronger and my numbers are improving."
Cameron also remains passionate about his business.
"I still enjoy it. Of course there are days when you struggle to get out there and do it, like any job. But this is who I am. This is what I am about. I am very, very fortunate to be able to do this for a living."
He knows the challenge is coming from Bozzone in his most important race.
The 25-year-old finished runner-up behind Brown in his Ironman debut last year in Taupo and enjoyed a creditable 11th in his debut at Hawaii.
"It's going to be a tougher challenge this time. Terenzo knows that it is all about now and he will definitely want to take it to me.
"He is a very talented boy. He is not a world champion for nothing. And I've said before that winning Ironman New Zealand is a matter of when and not if for him. I think our battle will be as good as anywhere this year. I am really looking forward to it for sure."
Bozzone is a blue-chip contender. After all he won double world age-group titles in duathlon and triathlon, and by 23 he smashed the field to win the Ironman 70.3 World Championship. But he does not think he is yet ready to master the master of Ironman NZ.
"Cameron Brown is the man. I've been going to watch him in Taupo for so many years. But I don't think I have enough to beat Cameron Brown in New Zealand," Bozzone said.
"Mind you, every time I am on the start line of every race I am out to win. I am going to put everything on the line for use and hope that I can put on a show. I think it will be an interesting day."
TERENZO BOZZONE
Date of birth: 1 March 1985
Lives: North Shore
Major titles: World junior duathlon (2001, 2002), world junior triathlon (2002, 2003), Wildflower (2006, race record), Ironman 70.3 world championship (2008).