The world's top five male triathletes will compete in a star-studded Auckland round of the world series this month.
Spain's Javier Gomez and Mario Mola are the two top-ranked athletes, followed by British brothers Jonny and Alistair Brownlee and Portugal's Joao Pereira.
Add in South African Richard Murray and AustralianAaron Royal (world Nos 8 and 10 respectively) and Auckland will be treated to an outstanding event on March 29.
Leading New Zealand men Aucklander Ryan Sissons - sixth last year - and Wanaka's Tony Dodds, are out to start their year on a positive note.
Defending women's champion, and world No 1 Gwen Jorgensen is returning, and will have stiff competition from fellow American and world No 2 Sarah True, and New Zealand's best, Andrea Hewitt (No 3) and Nicky Samuels (No 5).
Australian Emma Jackson (No 7), Ireland's Aileen Reed (No 8) and Kirsten Sweetland (No 9) of Canada will also compete.
Oceania sprint triathlon champion Sophie Corbidge of Auckland and Whangarei's Simone Ackerman, of the Tri NZ high performance squad, are lining up and ranking points will also be available for Anneke Jenkins (Tauranga), Kate McIlroy (Wellington) and Rebecca Clarke (Auckland).
"[The athletes] love the challenging course with its repeat hills on each lap of the bike and the amazing atmosphere around the course thanks to a big and knowledgeable triathlon crowd," event chief executive Dave Beeche said.
