New Zealanders have enjoyed plenty of Olympic success in triathlon but their chances of adding to their medal tally in London might become clearer this weekend.
The final round of the ITU Triathlon world championships is raced in Beijing this weekend and it has turned into an Olympic qualification race for most competitors. A number, like New Zealand No 1 and double Olympic medallist Bevan Docherty, had hoped to have qualified in last month's London race but finished down the field.
They now need to finish in the top eight on Saturday to guarantee passage to London, otherwise Olympic places will come down to the selectors' discretion.
Six Kiwis will line up for the elite men's field with Ryan Sissons, James Elvery, Clark Ellice, Kris Gemmell and Martin Van Barneveld joining Docherty at the start line.
Sissons has perhaps the best chance outside Docherty. He's currently the second-ranked New Zealander at 22 in the world.
"Preparation leading into Beijing has been great and I am really looking forward to the race this weekend,'' he said. "I know it's an Olympic qualification race so my goal is pretty simple, to qualify. However, it's never as easy as it sounds and I need a top-eight performance to do this, which is going to be a true test.
"The course here in Beijing looks great and I know it's a kind of course I like with a hilly bike course and run. It's going to be crucial to have a good swim and make the front group on the bike if you want to be in the game. Overall, it's a good chance to race on a slightly tougher course and I'm sure there will be a few surprises.''
Andrea Hewitt is the leading Kiwi heading into Sunday's elite women's race and a strong performance will confirm a medal in the overall 2011 ITU world championship series.
The classy Kiwi sits fourth on the rankings but is just one point back from Canada's Paula Findlay and within striking distance of Barbara Riveros Diaz (Chile) and Britain's Helen Jenkins. With extra points loading in this grand final race, a podium might guarantee the Cantabrian a series medal.
"Beijing is a familiar race since competing here in 2008 in the Olympic Games and twice since,'' Hewitt said. "Each time the race has come down to the 10km run, so that plays into my strengths. I have had no faults in my build-up since qualifying for the London Olympic Games a month ago.
"I took bronze in a five-way sprint finish in the last world champs series race in Lausanne and I've done every session since with no interruptions.
"I have to think about the heat and humidity here, though. Both will be big factors. I have great form so I know I can contest at the front of this race, it will be whether the points system will work out for me this time around. There are more points in this final event, so this really is the big one and counts the most towards who will be crowned the 2011 world champion.''
Also lining up in the women's race are Kate McIlroy, Nicky Samuels and Debbie Tanner, with Tanner in particular looking to atone for a disappointing season on a course that has been good to her before.
