Taupo Throwdown: Ironman 70.3 New Zealand Preview

Good morning everyone!

In this edition, we've got an Antarctic Ironman, Bosu ball benefits, and will it be a kiwi who wins Ironman 70.3 New Zealand?

Thank you for being here.

-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor

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NEWS

🌩️ Thunderdome: After a groundbreaking 2022 online race series, Arena Games triathlon will be expanding to new cities for its 2023 season including Montreal, Canada, and Sursee, Switzerland. They will join previous host cities London and Singapore. [Endurance Sports Wire]

🏗️ Sport development: After a successful Superleague Triathlon event in Neom, Saudi Arabia, triathlon continues to develop within The Kingdom as they hosted the first ever paratriathlon coaches certification course. [World Triathlon]

🏆 Triathlon awards: Shortlists for the very first Global Triathlon awards have been announced. Athletes including Hayden Wilde, Lucy Charles-Barclay, and Gustav Iden are up for honors. Industry partners including Canyon, Lever Running, and Zwift could take home some hardware. [Superleague Triathlon]

💉 Russian racers: Folks at the Russian Triathlon federation are wondering when their athletes will again be able to compete internationally. World Triathlon is wondering when Russian athletes will compete cleanly. [Inside The Games]

💪 Iron will: After years of setbacks including broken bones, heart attack, and open heart surgery, Jim Lewis finally achieved his goal of competing in an Ironman. And after a spectacular race, he'll have to decide if he wants to go to Kona, or France... [The Republic]

OFF TO THE RACES

Taupo Throwdown: Ironman 70.3 New Zealand Preview

The land of the long white cloud will play host to a long, hard race. Will the kiwi's crush on home turf?

The women's race

Key players: Rebecca Clarke (NZL), Hannah Berry (NZL), Rebecca Kingsford (NZL), Els Visser (NDL)

Analysis:

🏊 Rebecca Clarke has shown her swim strength this season. Look to see her attack early and exit the water with a gap over the chasers.

🚴 Berry is a solid all-around athlete. If she exits the swim near Clarke than she will work to help push the pace on the bike.

• Kingsford is somewhat of an unknown as she races predominantly in Xterra events.

• Els Visser is coming off a strong showing at Ironman WA. She may play a role depending on how the swim goes down.

🏃‍♀️ Onto the run we should see Clarke at the head of affairs with Berry in it.

• If Visser can keep herself in the game on the bike than she could play spoiler to the home country gals.

Matt’s take: With Clarke and Berry possessing similar skill sets we should expect them to be pushing the pace at the front of the race. Kingsford had an impressive showing on the TT bike at Clash Miami in March, which could see her shock the long course specialists.

Podium prediction:

• 🥇Rebecca Clarke (NZL)

• 🥈 Hannah Berry (NZL)

• 🥉 Samantha Kingsford (NZL)

The men's race

Key players: Jack Moody (NZL) Sam Osbourne (NZL) Charlie Quin (AUS) Mike Phillips (NZL)

Analysis: 

🏊 Look for a big group exiting the water together. Quin and Osbourne should be amongst it.

• Moody will set himself up for a great day if he is in the main swim group.

🚴 Things may shake up depending on who wants to get away. Osbourne and Phillips could be the names who make moves on the bike.

🏃‍♂️Quin has showed his form on the run with great efforts in 70.3 Melbourne and the recent Laguna Phuket Tri.

• If Moody is near the front heading onto the run he will be tough to take down.

Matt’s take: This race is a bit of a wildcard in terms of how it could play out. If it’s a wetsuit swim, than it should be a larger group out of the water.

• If Osbourne and Phillips want to break away together and put pressure on the class runners, I would be OK with that.

• If everyone is together on the run it should be Quin's to win given his recent run of form.

Podium prediction:

• 🥇Charlie Quin (AUS)

• 🥈 Jack Moody (NZL)

• 🥉 Sam Osbourne (NZL)

Race details:

• Live tracking on the Ironman tracker app.

TRAINING THOUGHT

Your bestie Bosu ball

If your running stability and core strength could use a boost, the Bosu ball is your bestie. Check out these Bosu exercises to help keep you on solid footing.

🦵 Single leg balance

• The goal with this one is to eventually do it eyes closed! Video here.

🏋️ Squat

• Some critical muscles are targeted in this one. Don't be afraid to go deep. 

🍗 Lunge

• This one can be tricky, but if nailed you know things are improving. 

FAVOURITES

🩺 Pure class. An awesome profile on Paratriathlon legend Susana Rodriguez (ESP). As if being a superstar athlete isn’t enough. she also happens to be a physician and advocate! Read how she does it all here. [Triathlete]

👄 Gatoraint. Are sports drinks and gels bad for your teeth? The folks at The Long Munch podcast have a chat with ultrarunner and dentist Julie Savage to find that out and much more! [The Long Munch]

☃️ Iceronman. This guy did an Ironman-distance triathlon in Antarctica. Not sure what else to say…still processing that one. [Fox 11 Los Angeles]

COMMUNITY

Well gang I've been on honeymoon with my wife these past few days and it's been an incredible trip. The newsletter is a little thin cause we've been enjoying our time together. Oh, she's calling me now, time to head out!

And are you racing this weekend? We'd love to hear about how Send us through your photos or a race recap, and we will feature them in next Tuesday's edition!

GAME TIME

The only photo in today's newsletter features one triathlete - can you name that person? Reply with your name and correct answer and we'll mention you in the next newsletter.

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