Triathlon: Jorgensen a chance to race in New Plymouth

Gwen Jorgensen crosses the line and wins the 2015 World Triathlon in Auckland. Photo / Nick Reed

New Plymouth looks likely to once again play host to some of the best triathletes in the world when it hosts a round of the ITU World Cup in April.

Tri New Zealand is hoping for the best starting line-up in the sport's history in New Zealand for the event on April 3 and have received an early boost with American star Gwen Jorgensen, the current world champion, considered a real chance to travel to compete.

Beyond the top names, the depth is again set to rival fields from previous years when over 30 nations have been represented across the men's and women's start lists.

The event, sponsored by Quality Hotel New Plymouth, has a strong history and event director Terry Sheldrake is confident of a top class field.

"New Zealand is a perfect starting point for the season and a great base from which to train through our summer and race here at the New Plymouth World Cup and just prior at the ITU Oceania Champs (in Gisborne on March 20) and potentially across the Tasman at the ITU Mooloolaba World Cup (March 11) and ITU Gold Coast World Series race (April 9-10)," he said.

"In Olympic year athletes and nations are typically keen to get early ranking points on the board as they try and improve individual cases for selection and secure national team spots in Rio. We are already getting strong interest from athletes in the Oceania region but also from further afield in North America and Europe as some lay down a training base in good weather conditions and line up some early season races to find form and get those important ranking points."

Kiwi Jamie Turner is a renowned coach who these days divides his time between Australia and Spain. The former Francis Douglas Memorial College student will be hosting a large group of athletes in New Plymouth from March 7, and while not all will race in New Plymouth, they will be in town promoting the event and the sport with community and school activations.

"I will have a large and well known group of athletes in New Plymouth in March and April, with a number of them set to line up on the 3rd," he said. "Some are already focused longer term on Rio and may look to the Gold Coast World Series event to begin their racing but others will be racing in New Plymouth and then also a week earlier in Gisborne at the Oceania Champs.

"The location is great with the region offering superb hospitality and world class training conditions, both in regards weather at that time of the year but also facilities and roads, the athletes love it and are looking forward to returning. The region includes great running trails amongst local parks and walkways - open water swimming and roads for cycling with all elements - flats - hills - long climbs and wind!"

Those coming to New Zealand under Turner's coaching include Aaron Royle (world No. 9 and former under 23 world champion), Ryan Bailie (world No. 6), Grace Musgrove, Tamsyn Moana Veale, Jake Birtwhistle (the current under 23 world champion), Aussie pair Natalie Van Coevorden and Charlotte McShane, Chile's Barbara Riveros (current world No. 11 and a former world No. 1), Canadians Tyler Mislawchuk , Sarah Anne Brault, Amelie Kretz and Alexis Lepage (Canada) and the jewel in the crown in world champion Jorgensen. Royle, Jorgensen and Riveros have already qualified for the Rio games for their respective national teams.

Turner says New Plymouth is likely to be a key event for the Australians in particular as they look to earn spots on their nation's team for Rio.

"Gold Coast World Triathlon Series is the second and final automatic selection race for Australia, so for athletes like Ryan Bailie, Jake Birtwhistle and Charlotte McShane New Plymouth becomes a vital race as part of their preparation for the Gold Coast and they will be coming here in pretty good early season shape.

"For some athletes not from New Zealand or Australia in my group - such as the Canadians, their performances in New Plymouth can contribute significantly to their Olympic qualification rankings and so again means it is a vital race for them in the context of 2016."

Turner said Jorgensen is a real possibility to be on the start line given the sprint distance of the event and the fact she will already be in the region training.

Turner says regardless, the impact that the elite athletes will have while here goes beyond the actual race.

"We are working with the event organisers to be in the community and give something back, especially to the schools. It has been a part of this event every year and is something the athletes look forward to, the visits can be a real highlight during event week, the kids love it and spend so much time researching both the athletes and their countries and I know the athletes enjoy sharing in that enthusiasm and spreading the word about our sport."

While the New Zealand presence at the event is not yet confirmed, there will be a group of Kiwis with similar goals to the Australians and internationals as they look to earn ranking points towards selection for Rio, prepare for the Gold Coast event, or simply gain experience at World Cup level in the case of some of the younger athletes.

"ITU World Cup races serve multiple purposes for the Tri NZ HP Programme, one is as an important step on the development pathway for athletes looking to progress towards ITU World Series events," said Graeme Maw, Tri NZ's high performance director.

"A World Cup such as New Plymouth will provide exposure to international opposition with the added benefit of racing in our home conditions. For the likes of Sam Ward, Tayler Reid and others, it is a perfect opportunity at this stage of their careers.

"But also in Olympic year the New Plymouth event will play a part in Olympic selection for a number of athletes, while also acting as an ideal warm up event at a high level for future WTS races. For someone like Braden Currie it is a potential gateway into WTS racing where he must prove himself to be considered for Rio."

The full Kiwi contingent will be confirmed in the New Year, as will international athletes put their names forward once the entry list is opened up by the ITU.

It is likely once again that both elite men's and women's fields will see a wide range of countries represented, from around the world as athletes and nations chase Olympic ranking points and experience on a course that is much enjoyed by the athletes, while also tasting our world renowned Kiwi hospitality.