Wanganui-born, Cambridge-based Candice Hammond will attempt to better her third place in last year's Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand when she lines up on the 30th anniversary of the event in Taupo next month.
Hammond is seeded third behind Meredith Kessler from the United States and Wanaka-based Gina Crawford, whospent time training in Wanganui following the birth of her son.
Kessler is chasing her third straight victory in Taupo and her sixth ironman win in her short career, along with a stack of podium performances over Ironman 70.3 in the US. She rarely ventures outside of the US, but rates New Zealand as her favourite race as she sets up for another busy season in North American leading to Hawaii.
Nine-time iron distance Crawford will lead the New Zealand charge to take on Kessler, while she chases her second victory in Taupo.
Hammond returns after her breakthrough win in Malaysia last year while Australian-based compatriot Michelle Bremer, a former ironman Western Australia winner, is back to her best after injury in the past 12 months.
Meanwhile, top Kiwi athlete Bevan Docherty will defend his men's crown from last year.
Docherty and Kessler will join a record final entry of 1750 participants from 58 nations, the highest number in the history of the world's oldest international ironman event. The professionals will chase an increased prize purse of approximately $90,000 (US$75,000) along with qualifying points for the Ironman World Championship.
Docherty, the double Olympic medallist in 2004 and 2008, will return to his home town of Taupo where he won on debut last year, setting a new course record in the process.
