Multisport: Champions eager to go back-to-back

Dylan McNeice
Dylan McNeice
Defending Challenge Wanaka champions Gina Crawford and Dylan McNeice have their sights set firmly on back-to-back victories at this Saturday's long distance triathlon.

Crawford, who now lives in Wanaka fulltime, said despite winning 11 long-distance races including every Challenge Wanaka event she has entered - five from five - she felt she could not take her career any further alone.

She joined the team of respected United States coach Matt Dixon late last year after five years of self-coaching.

''After the World Championships in Hawaii last October [where she finished 9th] I felt more ambitious than ever. It was like an itch I'd never had before. I've always seen myself as a business. Triathlon is how I make a living and now I want to take it to the next level,'' Crawford said.

Since Hawaii she had been working on the technical side of her bike and run.

''My biggest issue last year was running off the bike and I struggled with tightness in my back and diaphragm. I already feel fresher with my new bike setup even though the coaching will really pay off in the second half of the year.''

McNeice temporarily shifted to Wanaka from Christchurch to prepare for this year's race. He said the plan he and coach Tim Brazier had put in place was coming together nicely.

Gina Crawford
Gina Crawford
''At the start of a new season you often doubt yourself, you get sick and then it all starts to come good at this time of year. I love coming home after competing in the US and Europe. Wanaka is such a change of scene it can feel like a holiday sometimes.''

McNeice said he was running better than ever.

''Longer training sessions have changed my body shape and I've been working hard on leg speed and efficiency. I'll certainly need that speed with Richard [Ussher, course record holder] also competing. He's such a class act and looks in the shape of his life.''

He admitted to placing extra pressure on himself to defend his 2013 win.

''I want to perform well, especially in front of so many friends and family. It's important to have a race in your home country that you can make a name in and I want Challenge Wanaka to be that race for me.''

Crawford, however, felt no added pressure as defending champion.

''I always want to get the best out of myself every time I race. You never know how things will pan out. I'd like to have a good swim to set my day up well and then be more controlled on the bike. I didn't need to push as hard as I did last year,'' she said.

Add a Comment