There must be something in the water, bike trails and hills around Wanaka, as five athletes from the small town will be representing New Zealand at the World Xterra Championships in Hawaii on Sunday.
Leading the charge in the Maui-based off-road triathlon will be Braden Currie, who is fresh off a runner-up finish in the Xterra United States Pro Series, and determined to stand on top of the podium at the end of the 1.5km rough-water swim, 32km mountain bike and 10.5km trail run.
The men's pro field is stacked deep with the world's top endurance athletes from a range of disciplines, including three-time Xterra Worlds winner Spaniard Reuben Ruzafa, and Josiah Middaugh, the top American at this event seven times.
Currie (29) finished fifth in Hawaii two years ago and this year ''my goal is to win'', he said.
After five months away racing internationally, he was ''stoked to be back in Wanaka'' and felt the past month's training block went especially well courtesy of the maintenance his body and bike have received.
Currie said physiotherapist Ginny Bush had rendered him injury-free from the Achilles problem that had been niggling away over the past few months, sports massage guru Alex Schafer had kneaded out any sore spots and Outside Sports had his mountain bike tuned like new again.
''Within this town there are some of these resources, which are the best in New Zealand,'' Currie said.
What Wanaka's tepid spring temperature lacks in emulating the 30degC, up to 90% humidity he can expect in Hawaii, the landscape makes up for with its geographic similarities.
Preparing for the long consistent climbs in the Xterra's bike section has meant doing hill repetitions up and down the Treble Cone skifield access road, while Sticky Forest suited his technical training and Deans Bank provided a speed work circuit.
Mt Iron formed the perfect run-training elevation and the base is about the same distance from his house as it is from the houses of Wanaka's two female World Xterra contenders, Jess Simson and Kristy Jennings.
They will join the capacity field of 800 athletes from 28 countries, including professionals and amateurs.
Although the race is a first for both, double Coast to Coast winner Simson (31) will compete in the pro women's field. She is aiming for a top-15 result. Jennings will race in the 35-39 age group category.
Simson has been based in Canmore, Canada, over winter and came home with a win and a second place in two Xterra Canada events.
Mother-of-two Jennings (36) won her age-group in the Motatapu Xterra Tri in March and has fitted her 15 hours a week training around her part-time job and family.
Also racing on Sunday is Mike Johnston (47), who will compete in the 45-49 age group three weeks after completing the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.
Johnston finished sixth in his Xterra age-group last year and his preparation for this year's race included four weeks in the heat prior, so he would be well acclimatised come race day.
Wanaka doctor Andrew McLeod raced there last year as well, placing 10th in his 55-59 years age-group.
He thanked wife Karen, coach Val Burke and swimming tutor Fi Hezinger for helping him to return this year.
''None of this would happen for us without all that extra support,'' McLeod said of the five Wanaka athletes.
