KEY POINTS:
Kane Radford is on a roll.
After winning the first two races of the New Zealand ocean swim series, the Rotorua teenager will be gunning for his third win in Christchurch today.
Radford, 16, has won both men's events to date and takes a comfortable series points lead heading into the 2.8km Corsair Classic, which has attracted a quality field.
Radford, an open water specialist, has left the likes of Moss Burmester, Dean Kent, Rob Voss and Brent Foster in his wake in previous victories.
But this weekend they will be determined to peg one back, especially Dean Kent who has vowed to do all he can not to let the Rotorua swimmer get away from the field this time.
Taupo's Bryan Rhodes lines up in preparation for a defence of his Ironman Malaysia title.
New Zealander Helen Norfolk is the clear women's favourite.
Norfolk is equal on points with fellow elite pool swimmer Melissa Ingram after splitting victories in the first two rounds, but Ingram won't be taking to the southern waters.
