Brown Returns 21 Years On From His First Victory
Brown Returns 21 Years On From His First Victory
New Zealand’s greatest ever Ironman triathlete Cameron Brown will return to where he first made his mark in triathlon with confirmation the 38 year old will be on the start line at the Whangamata round of the Contact Tri Series on Monday January 3rd.
Brown has fond memories of the long standing event having won his first event in senior company as an 18 year old when he defeated his hero Rick Wells twenty one years ago and will kick off his 2011 campaign over the standard distance event on Monday.
“I always enjoy the atmosphere that only Whangamata gets with great crowds - especially on a hot day,” said Brown from the family holiday home at the Coromandel hot spot. “A combination of swimming in the surf, the tough hilly bike and the run that includes a section on the beach makes for a great and testing course.”
Nine time Ironman New Zealand winner Brown has made the late decision to race despite lining up at the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman just five days later and knows that these days it is he that has the target on his experienced back.
“It will be tough with only 5 days between this and the Half so I’m hoping for an easy run if I can get it. I’m not sure of the others in the field but I always love racing the young guys and trying to beat them just as they will I’m sure enjoy the chance to claim my scalp. But my main aim is to go through the motions of swim/bike/run in a competitive environment as my last race was back in October and I need to practice my transitions especially.”
Amongst those on the start line looking to knock over the time Ironman New Zealand champion will be a host of youngsters, including Auckland schoolboy stars Cooper Rand and Matt Franklin, Tri NZ High Performance squad member Edward Rawles (Inglewood) and Matt’s older brother Sam.
Flying the flag for the 40 plus though is evergreen Brent Foster, the former Ironman competitor is sure to be amongst the leaders out of the water especially if the surf picks up.
Brown won’t be the only family member racing either, his sons Joshua and Braeden will both participate in the children’s Contact 1:2:1 race again this year alongside other children aged up to 12 in what is a perfect first experience in triathlon for many. The event offers distances for everyone from the beginners 3:9:3 to the sprint triathlon and the standard distance event that will see the likes of Brown and Jo Lawn on the same start line as everyday participants.
Contact Tri Series
Whangamata
Monday January
3rd
Registration Williamson Park 7:00am -
8:00am
Sprint
Men
8:00am
Women 8:03am
Trophy
- Standard
Men 8:30am
Women 8:33am
Teams 8:35am
Contact 3:9:3
Men
10:45am
Women 10:47am
Team
10:49am
Contact 1:2:1
Boys
12:00pm
Girls 12:10pm
ends