Multisport: Setbacks aplenty but Brown is fighting on

For two months after last year's world Ironman Championship in Hawaii, Cameron Brown was a bitter man.

Far from happy at copping a drafting penalty from what he still maintains was an upstart official, he let it get to him. He blew to the world in a chase he was never going to master and limped home with the "Nigel Nobodies".

Fast forward a few months to the Tauranga half ironman, his traditional dress rehearsal which he always wins to show he's ready for the big show, and another frustration when he failed in his bid for eight in a row.

"Sure, I still think about Hawaii," said Brown as he prepared for a shot at five straight in the Bonita NZ Ironman Championship in Taupo tomorrow. "I'm just lucky it [Hawaii] comes around every year, unlike those who have to wait four years to go to the Olympics."

The incentive of a fifth title remains but something Brown does not dwell on.

"I would like to prove I am still No 1. That [a fifth] is something I never dreamed of. I laughed when someone, years ago, predicted I would win four."

But, after the disappointments in Hawaii and Tauranga, Brown looked elsewhere, bringing Brendon Cameron, on the suggestion of Ironman great Scott Molina (the winner of the inaugural Ironman New Zealand), on board as his cycling coach.

"It [cycling] has always been my weakest discipline. Having Cameron to look at what I was doing brought in new and more specific ideas.

"Throughout your Ironman training you are always so tired it is difficult to gauge how you are going. Hopefully on race day we will see the benefits. I like to think I'm ahead of where I was last year. In races like this 1 or 2 per cent can make a difference."

As ever, times in races like this are irrelevant. It is one against the field that counts.

Brown will again have his "spotters" in place to give him support and all-important splits.

With the backing of a new sponsor - he is one of a select few to race under the TriDubai banner - and a new time-trial-specific Litespeed bike worth around $12,000, Brown is ready. But, he quickly insists, the fancy equipment can only do so much.

In the end, as ever, it comes down to his arms and legs that have to do the talking. He is not taking anything for granted. Ironman does not allow that.

Iron filings

* New Zealand continues to boast the biggest international spread with triathletes from 39 countries among the 1300 who will dip their toes in the lake tomorrow morning. More than 200 Americans line up, headed only by the 581 New Zealanders.

* The average age of the men in this year's race is 37.13 years and women 37.6 years. Canadian Travis LeMire, 18, is the youngest man while Bob Goddard and Kerry Bateman - both New Zealanders - are the oldest at 69 years. The youngest women, at 19, are Jesse Whistler (Australia) and Charmaine Lightfoot (Nova Scotia), the oldest, from Tucson, Arizona, is 60-year-old Karen Birens. Japan's Manabu Ueda, 60, will contest his 53rd ironman.

* Of the 1300 heading into the unknown tomorrow, an amazing 517 are attempting the ultimate triathlon distance for the first time. And it is not just for fun; 900 are chasing one of the 70 spots on offer for the "biggie" - the world champs in Hawaii.

* The bean counters again hold sway. Of this year's field, 73 admit to working in accounting, finance or banking. They just edge the 68 medics. There also 44 teachers (and 45 students), 26 from the constabulary, 10 pilots, eight firemen, 14 who work for the government, 11 who are retired, one minister, a "chicken wrangler' and one zookeeper.


* American Joseph Desena is up for his sixth ironman as he attempts to complete 12 in 12 months.