Triathlon: Hot field, and conditions to burn for Kiwis

Kiwi triathletes believe hair-dryer winds and a white-hot atmosphere are set to fry the best in the ironman world championships in Kona, Hawaii, tomorrow.

The previous nine world champions will be in the men's race, including legendary seven-time winner Dave Scott.

New Zealand competitor Bryan Rhodes, of Taupo, said it was the best field assembled in the 24-year history of the championships.

Hotter than normal conditions, coupled with the usual strong winds, could make it doubly tough for the 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42km marathon run.

"There's usually more humidity and the cloud cover comes over during the run, but this year seems much hotter," Rhodes said.

"I think it will take an even bigger toll than usual, although things can change here quickly."

Temperatures have been up to 33 degrees in days leading up to the race.

It has attracted a record 21 New Zealand starters, including six who qualified for the pro elite field.

That group includes three athletes who have claimed success on the ironman world circuit this year - Rhodes, who won Ironman Malaysia, Auckland's Cameron Brown, who won Ironman New Zealand, and Tara-Lee Marshall, of Taupo, who won Ironman Florida.

They are joined by three-times Ironman New Zealand runner-up Karyn Balance, of Christchurch, and newcomers Stephen Sheldrake, of Gisborne, and Auckland's Jo Lawn.

While Lawn is competing in the pro elite division for the first time, she knows her way around the Kona course that threads through the black lava fields on the island of Hawaii.

Lawn, a 1998 Commonwealth Games cycling representative, won the Kona half ironman three years ago, and last year won her age group at the world championships.

"It has definitely been hotter this week. The cloud cover has not come over in the afternoon," Lawn said.

"While that means it's still and hot here in town, it's blowing really hard out on the bike course.

"You can either let this race get to you or really enjoy the challenge."

Lawn has been racing in the United States since April, and is battling a niggling injury.

"It's been a big campaign for me, but I will be giving it my best," she said.

Rhodes has been delighted with his build-up, opting for a season at altitude in the training mecca of Boulder, Colorado.

"Qualifying back in January meant I could plan the year better and I have raced well after training at altitude in the past.

"I'm as well prepared as I could be, but having said that, this is a remarkable field," Rhodes said.

"It's great to see so many Kiwis here. It shows that the sport is strong in New Zealand at present.

"Let's hope we can convert that into some results."

The race begins at 5 am (NZ time) tomorrow and the winner is expected to take a little more than eight hours to complete the course.