Triathlon: Whyte focused on repeat win

Defending champion Jamie Whyte says Challenge Wanaka is his favourite race. Photo / Supplied

Around 13,000 endurance triathletes from 30 nations will line up for Challenge Wanaka next weekend

It is New Zealand's largest triathlon festival and defending men's champion Jamie Whyte believes the camaraderie of Challenge Wanaka makes it his favourite race.

This week, from tomorrow to next Saturday, more than 2000 participants - from juniors to sprint athletes to endurance triathletes - will be in action in Wanaka.

The flagship event, Challenge Wanaka, takes place on January 21. It features 1300 athletes from 30 nations and throughout New Zealand racing over both the half and full iron distance.

"That is one of the great things about our sport," said 30-year-old Aucklander Whyte. "There will be so many familiar faces on the start line with me. The triathlon community is a great one to be a part of."

Whyte is among the elite contenders vying for the lion's share of the $80,000 prize money - New Zealand's largest iron distance prize purse. Last year's breakthrough win on home soil meant the world to him.

"It was an extremely satisfying moment for me. It was just my second time competing over the ironman distance race and to lead the race all day, in front of family and friends, and take the win made it really special."

He enters this week with a lot more pressure and expectation on his shoulders.

Whyte has been training hard with one thing on his mind - going back-to-back in Wanaka.

"I only feel pressure from myself to perform. I just focus on the things I can control each day, such as nailing each training session, recovering well and my nutrition.

"I have based myself in Queenstown for the past month to acclimatise to the Central Otago conditions and have been ticking all the boxes to ensure I am on the start line in great shape. Then on the day it is a matter of being in the right mental state to race hard all the way to that 42nd kilometre on the run."

Despite being hit by a car a week ago, one of Whyte's main rivals, Kieran Doe, still has his sights set on the Challenge Wanaka podium.

He was coming to the end of a training ride in his hometown of Auckland when he was hit by a motorist turning in to a driveway.

"I suffered a knock to the head and possible fracture in my right hand, as well as some lacerations and bruising around my right shoulder," Doe said.

"Although I am still very sore, I can assure you all that I will be on the start line at Challenge Wanaka."

Doe has been in top form during the start of the New Zealand season, taking the title at the Rotorua Half Ironman. His previous results also include victory at the Calgary 70.3, the Asia Long Distance Championships and Ironman Canada.

There are a number of international rivals to spoil the party, including 2008 champion Marc Pschebizin (Germany) and UK Ironman Champion, Aussie Aaron Farlow.

The 2011 Coast to Coast champion Richard Ussher has withdrawn.

Radio Sport host Mark Watson, who will MC the Challenge Wanaka race, believes it's hard to call who will claim the men's title this year.

"Based on history, Richard Ussher would have been the race favourite, but now it's wide open," he said.

"Jamie is a good athlete but still a step below the big boys. Veteran Bryan Rhodes is also a serious threat.

"The challenge will come from Aussie Aucklander Kieran Doe, who is an exceptional swim-bike exponent with the ability to run well. A 10-minute lead off the bike may be enough for him. It all depends how well he has recovered from his accident."

In the women's field, three-time champion Gina Crawford - who didn't compete last year as she was pregnant with son Benji (now 6 months old) - is back to compete.

The 31-year-old will face tough competition from Aussies Christie Sym and Nicole Ward, with a number of other talented Kiwis ready to make a name for themselves - including highly rated local athlete Simone Maier.

"Rebecca Keat from Australia is the clear favourite,"said Watson.

"The women's race is always open and provides the opportunity for the likes of Belinda Harper and others who have been plugging in the background to launch their careers and introduce themselves to the New Zealand public."

For all involved, Challenge Wanaka is a special race for many reasons.

"It has great scenery, it is a really well-organised event and the whole town gets behind it, which makes it special ... it is a lovely place for a holiday, too," said Crawford.

Added Whyte: "It is an extremely honest course where you need to be strong in all three disciplines. It is also the most scenic place to race in the world, with stunning mountains and lakes surrounding you for the entire race. It is definitely my favourite."