Ironman: NZ athletes ready for Ironman Hawaii

New Zealand triathletes are shaping up to pose a real threat to the frontrunners in tomorrow's (NZ time) Ironman Hawaii.

Veteran Cameron Brown is joined by Hawaii rookie Terenzo Bozzone as top contenders in the men's field while ironman New Zealand champion Gina Crawford (nee Ferguson) and six-times national champion, Jo Lawn, are looking to overcome the heat and winds in Kona to claim the world title.

Thirty-nine New Zealanders will start the event, with six entered in the professional section and the remainder in age groups.

Brown, at 37, is a three-time podium finisher in Hawaii and believes he can return to the top three this year, somewhere he has not been since 2003.

Last year, Brown arrived as a more powerful cyclist, hoping to get closer to the Europeans after the 180km bike leg so that his renowned speed on the run could pay dividends.

"I am really happy with my build-up at Noosa in Australia. It's gone well. All the data shows that I have at least the same amount of power output on the bike, if not even stronger," he said.

"So the tactics will be the same which is to have a good swim and then have the strength on the bike to go with the big guns, or at least get myself further down the road before the freight train comes through.

"I need to have a run like I did at Ironman New Zealand this year - certainly sub two hours 45 minutes.

"If I am up there off the bike and can finally put a top run together, then anything can happen.

"I'd like to think I can get on the podium but I am always searching for that perfect day to win this thing."

Brown was second in 2001 and third in 2002 and 2003.

It's a different story for the 24-year-old Bozzone, the 2008 70.3 (half-ironman) world champion, who finished runner-up to Brown in his Ironman debut in Taupo in March.

Bozzone has put in a huge training load, and has learned much from training partner and two-time world champion Chris McCormack.

"I have been up here in Hawaii for a few weeks now to acclimatise," Bozzone said. "I just want to concentrate on my own race. I am a new boy on the block and anything can happen.

"The heat, the humidity and the winds here in Hawaii makes it a whole new ball game."

Defending champion Craig Alexander of Australia, Spain's Eneko Llanos and McCormack will start as favourites in the men's race.

Britain's Chrissie Wellington is the overwhelming favourite in the women's event. The two-time champion has never been beaten in her seven Ironman starts.

Lawn who has a string of top-10 finishes to her credit in Hawaii, from 10th to fourth, will be looking to re-ignite her career with a strong all-round performance.

Crawford, from Christchurch, is in uncharted territory - she took a break after learning she had a heart condition earlier in the year.

But she said she was on the mend and has had an unusual build-up for Hawaii, concentrating instead on getting married last week to long-time partner, Brett, in Hawaii.

She is a strong swimmer and has worked hard on her riding to keep closer to the front of the field to build on her outstanding debut eighth place last year.

- NZPA