Triathlon: Two-time Ironman winner chases hometown victory in New Zealand

Two-time Ironman winner Bryan Rhodes has made a late decision to start in next month’s 20th anniversary Ironman New Zealand triathlon in Taupo.

Rhodes, who lives in the event’s home town, was torn between competing at home on March 6 or in Malaysia the week before in an Ironman race he has won twice before.

However the well-performed Kiwi triathlete has opted to race in the Bonita-sponsored New Zealand race.

"I had such an ordinary year last year, starting when I didn’t finish in Malaysia with the heat,’’ Rhodes said.

"I was tempted to go back after winning there in 2001 and 2002 because failing to finish is no way to complete that journey in Malaysia. But my home is Taupo. The chance to race in the 20th anniversary is special.’’

Rhodes has a new zest, a new sponsor and a new coach that has given him a new lease on life.

The New Zealand distributor for Lupi Olive Oil, a company based in Taupo, will back Rhodes and this has enabled him to complete his training programme and race at home instead of opting for the richer financial option of Malaysia.

He’s taken on his first fulltime coach, after being self-coached for much of his career. Rhodes is now guided by 1994 Ironman New Zealand champion Scott Ballance, who retired from the sport last year because of health issues.

"Scott is the only other Kiwi male to win Ironman New Zealand. He did that on the 10th anniversary, and it would be great if I could do it for him on the 20th anniversary.’’

Rhodes said he wanted a new direction after an indifferent 2003 year.

"Nothing much went right in my own life and in my sport. I picked up guardia in the United States that laid me low for quite a while. And I came back too quickly and got a back injury.’’

His best efforts were minor placings in the Xterra East and Dairyland triathlons in the USA.

"I spoke with Triathlon New Zealand high performance people and approached Scott when we were in Queenstown for the world championships. It’s gone from there. I’m doing every session exactly to his schedules and loving it.’’

Ballance, an outstanding runner in his long triathlon career, has already made improvements to Rhodes in this discipline that has been his Achilles heal.

"My running times have really come down. I’m really ripping at present and can’t wait for the race.’’

The 31-year-old has been given the No 5 seeding for the 20th anniversary race. He has a solid record in Ironman racing with his two victories in Malaysia have been backed by a third and two fourth placings in Ironman Canada and 11 top-10 Ironman finishes.

And he’s even launching his own website www.rhodsey.com.

The Ironman New Zealand website is at: www.ironman.co.nz.