Kia Ora,
I started my 2013 season in beautiful beaches of lake Taupo for the ITU Oceania Cup in New Zealand last week.
Lake Taupo is the home town of triathlon legend Bevan Docherty and has a long history with triathlon. This lake will host the New Zealand Ironman in the next few weeks, so it you can imagine the support we get when we compete out there.
Coming of base training, this sprint distance was the perfect workout to get some speed in and unleash the body after so many hours spent as steady state pace in the port Hills of Christchurch.
Despite I have been doing triathlon my entire life, the first race of the season is always a wake up call.
Lactate, fight in the water, crazy fast cornering in tight courses and of course an heart rate close to its maximum for 57min!
Since couple of years, I am use to race pretty early in my training and it's always a chellenge to compete against the finest Kiwis and Aussies triathletes on their home soil.
The motivation and commitment of theses guys is enormous and the more time I spend there and the more I understand how much it means for them to win at home.
This is for this reason I believe theses races are the perfect challenge: always keep the pressure on.
 |
| Tweet I received from a supporter excited about a french winning in NZL |
The intensity of the race was insane but I was glad to see I was actually the one in charge of it with Ryan Sissons from NZL.
After the swim, we broke away in a group of six and the 4 laps bike courses turned into a smack down.
The ride felt short but really intense and it took me a good 400m on the run to get into my rhythm.
At the 1km mark, I caught and passed Ryan Sissons which set me up in the first place.
I hold this position until the finish line and I was pretty happy to take that win and start 2013 with a victory.
Complete results here: 2013 Kinloch ITU Sprint
Press release: McIlroy, Vidal show class in Kinloch
Photos: Mike Heydon - jetproductions.co.nz
In the team event, Andrea won the oceania title with Team NEW ZEALAND. The goal for them is to build a solid team performance towards the next commonwealth games in Glasgow (2014).
Before heading home to Christchurch, we spend three days in the north island enjoying the majesty of mother nature and relaxing a bit before continuing our heavy loads of training down south.
Here is some photos:
 |
| Mt Maunganui et Mud Pools of Taupo |
 |
| Mt Maunganui "catch me if you can" and sunset in Auckland |
 |
| Hauka Falls and Kerosene Creek- 42deg thermal water |
