Multisport: Docherty, Samuels to headline event

Wanaka hosts round three of Triathlon New Zealand's Contact Tri Series next Friday, with Bevan Docherty and Nicky Samuels the main drawcards.

Beijing Olympic Games bronze medallist Bevan Docherty (31), of Taupo, is lining up in his first competitive outing in 2009, while world-ranked female triathlete Samuels (24), of Wanaka, is looking forward to showing fans what she can do in her first big outing at home.

The Wanaka event is the third race in the seven-round Contact Trophy series and the first race in the four-round Contact Cup series.

The competitions are running simultaneously.

Samuels is the clear favourite in the elite women's cup race as she looks to make it two from two after a comfortable win in Whangamata's trophy race last Sunday.

She is the world No 33 and well along the road to a big season this year after narrowly missing selection for Beijing and then suffering a pelvic stress fracture while training and racing in France last year.

Samuel was raised in Whangarei and moved to Otago to study at university before moving to Wanaka more than two years ago.

Last year, she won the Central Otago Supreme Sports Award for her efforts in triathlon in 2007.

Samuels said she was not tapering and training throughout the series, as her main focus was races in the European summer later in the year.

"In Wanaka, I try to keep a low profile.

"Not many people know who I am, riding a bike and training along. That way I can get things done quietly . . . It will be good to show [spectators] the level [I am at].

"A lot of people don't know what level you are really racing at," Samuels said.

Samuels predicted the racing would be fast, particularly the men's race, and the criterium-style cycle route taking cyclists over a speed hump on Helwick St would keep things interesting.

Samuels is now coached by Mark Elliott, of Wanaka, following the recent retirement of New Zealand triathlon guru Dr John Hellemans.

Keeping Docherty company in the elite sprint-distance cup race (750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run) is Kris Gemmell (31), of Palmerston North, who was 39th at Beijing, won the World Cup triathlon race in Mexico in October and was fourth at Noosa in November.

Other talent in the elite men's line-up includes William Curtayne (22), who won the Whangamata race last Sunday - the second of the seven-round series - ahead of top New Zealand Ironman competitor Cameron Brown, of Auckland.

Curtayne's twin brother Andrew, third in Whangamata, will also be racing in Wanaka.

The Wanaka event is part of the week-long Challenge Wanaka triathlon festival, finishing with an iron-distance race next Saturday.

The seven trophy races being held throughout New Zealand are all traditional sprint distances (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run).

The cup series comprises two sprint, one super sprint and a final round of standard Olympic distance (1500m, 40km, 10km), which will be raced in Wellington on March 14.

The Wanaka round of triathlons requires the closure of parts of McDougal, Brownston, Dungarvon, Dunmore, Helwick and Ardmore Sts.

The Triathlon New Zealand event is a first for Wanaka and strong entries are also expected from local and regional athletes, including beginners.

Registration and late entries is from 11.30am to 3pm.