D4 WEEKENDSPORT Saturday, March2, 2013 THE PRESS, Christchurch IRONMAN CYCLING Crawford seeks Taupo title double NZ stint Cantabrian Gina Crawford, the the same Ironman title 10 times boost 2009 champion, is expected to find after last year’s weather-shortened reigning champion American event, the now 40-year-old is not Meredith Kessler tough to topple fazed by his age or the competition. in today’s Ironman New Zealand ‘‘Forty is just a number. To tell for Ellis event in Taupo. the truth I am not fazed by or even After a lengthy career in age- think about it,’’ Brown said. group competition, the San Fran- ‘‘I will just be going as fast as I Matt Richens cisco triathlete has made a can for as long as I can. remarkable conversion to the ‘‘I love Ironman. I’m still When BikeNZ opted to save money professional ranks with four wins passionate about it and you have to by sending a hugely reduced team in the past two years, while she has be, otherwise it’s too hard to get to the track world championships, only once been off the podium. out there and train 35 to 40 hours a Christchurch’s Lauren Ellis was ‘‘I feel like it’s a responsibility week. not happy. to just go out there, win or lose, ‘‘My passion and desire to win The 23-year-old had expected to and deliver the best performance still drives me daily and it’s my job just keep working her way through that we can muster as a defending at the moment so it’s important to another non-Olympic-year cam- champion. That is always the do well and put food on the table paign, but the cost-cutting venture goal,’’ said Kessler. for the family. has given her the perfect oppor- ‘‘In reality, it is a new year with ‘‘I have experience on the tunity to work on her endurance. new and consistent competitors so course so I know what to eat and Originally from Hinds but now nothing can be taken for granted. when to drink and that is an living in Christchurch, Ellis has ‘‘Ironman New Zealand was a advantage over someone who’s been building up big road kilo- very special win for me in one of coming into it for the first time. ‘‘ metres with her time off to make my favourite places, Taupo, so I Brown faces a stellar field sure that when she does get on the am here prepared to defend.’’ including three-time runner-up track again later in the year, she’s Crawford has her sights set on a and 2008 Ironman 70.3 world fitter and stronger than ever. second Ironman New Zealand title champion Terenzo Bozzone and The Olympian gets a chance to as she tackles three Iron distance two-time Olympic medallist Bevan see just where that fitness and races in seven weeks. She won in Docherty, who is making his debut strength are in round one of the Wanaka in January for the sixth at the Ironman distance in his Benchmark Homes Elite Cycling time and three weeks after Taupo, home town. Series, in Oxford, today. Crawford will tackle Ironman The international charge will Ellis headlines a small women’s Melbourne, which doubles as the come from two-time Olympian field, competing over 117km, while Asia-Pacific championship. Marco Albert (Estonia), who has the men’s field features Pro Tour ‘‘It’s a big task but I feel I have an eight-hour Ironman to his rider George Bennett, powerful the endurance base to handle it. I credit, ironman Western Australia Christchurch rider Michael Vink am feeling good and fresh because champion Courtney Ogden (AUS), and former Subway Pro Cycling I had a good rest after Wanaka. I talented Kiwi Keegan Williams team member Sam Horgan. felt in the past I have come here a and a bunch of strong Americans Ellis is the strongest rider in the little bit tired so I have tried to including Scott DeFilippis and 15-rider, four-team women’s field, keep my training fresh by taking Kevin Taddonio. but said thoughts of winning today more breaks. There are 1430 entrants from 51 weren’t at the forefront of her ‘‘After the birth of my son I nations taking part, with the mind. wanted to make sure I spent time professionals to start the 3.8km ‘‘It’s a team race so I’ll just do with him . So I have cut my Glory day: Christchurch’s Gina Crawford will be chasing another title in Taupo today. Photo: FAIRFAX NZ swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run my job and do what the team training back and changed it but in at 6.45am, and the age groupers at manager wants me to do,’’ she said. fact my results have been im- it my everything to win.’’ champion Carrie Lester, former Candice Hammond, who enjoyed out to prove that 40-somethings 7am. ‘‘I can be a bit of a workhorse, proved. I am enjoying it as a result. There are a trio of very talented world long-distance duathlon her international Iron distance can still be feared at today’s New The winner is expected by or try and get away, we’ll just see ‘‘It is really special to win your athletes out to push the favourites. champion Melanie Burke (Auck- breakthrough win last year. Zealand Ironman event in Taupo. 3.15pm, first women by 4.15pm what they want me to do.’’ home Ironman. I am going to give They comprise Ironman Australia land) and Cambridge athlete Meanwhile, Cameron Brown is Brown is the only athlete to win with a final cutoff of midnight. After initially being ‘‘pretty frustrated’’ about the change of schedule, Ellis has enjoyed the time in New Zealand – her first BOXING summer at home in years. ‘‘It’s been so good; I’ve been able to work on my endurance, but I’ve been able to spend time with my Easy work for Parker, friends, family, my boyfriend and Impressive Papuni ticks the right boxes enjoy the summer.’’ She’s still riding 15 to 20 hours a Matt Richens week and spending another four in Botha still on horizon the gym. Christchurch professional Reece ‘‘Working on my endurance is Papuni and the much-hyped Matt Richens need to know we’re talking to a lot great because it just gives you a Joseph Parker appear to be on of people about Joseph and what’s better base and you have all that in very different paths. Joseph Parker could fight twice best for him, not just making the bank for when you need it on Parker’s technical knockout on more before a proposed fight with plans.’’ the track.’’ Thursday in Christchurch was a South Africa’s Francois Botha in And Lonergan and Duco part- And being home has allowed non-event because his opponent late May. ner David Higgins are not going to her to pick up commerce papers at was so inferior in ability, height, Parker, 21, made light work of play into Botha’s strengths. Canterbury University which, in weight and reach; Papuni’s was a Aucklander Dontay Pati in Christ- ‘‘Against Sonny Bill, Botha turn, has helped with her training. non-event because he was so church on Thursday night, knock- showed how durable he is and was ‘‘It’s been a real help,’’ she said. brutal. ing him down three times in the the better fighter in rounds nine ‘‘After the Olympics and not The 25-year-old light heavy- opening round of six for a and 10. If Joseph’s fight with Botha having much coming up on the weight’s bout was the main event, technical knock out but Botha, a goes ahead, then we’re trying to track it was hard to stay focused. with Parker, a heavyweight and 61-fight veteran, is a major step up. make it eight rounds.’’ With uni it helps me structure my close friend of Papuni, on the The decision to match up with Lonergan said Parker had ‘‘for day and keeps me organised.’’ undercard. Botha, who has been in the ring want of a better term, replaced Sir Today’s elite men’s race is over That fact alone made Papuni with a number of world champions Bob’’ with sports manager Bruce 159km, and this year’s revamped smile. including Wladimir Klitschko, Sharrock. series now features standalone ‘‘It’s just great to have him Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield Sharrock looks after Steve Price masters categories with their own down here, especially on my card,’’ and Mike Tyson, resulted in and Chris Masoe, among others leaders’ jerseys. he laughed. Parker parting ways with mentor and Parker’s coach is Masoe’s Today’s racing begins at 10am ‘‘He attracts a lot of people that Sir Bob Jones. brother, former world title holder at Oxford’s Pearson Park and is aren’t necessarily that interested Jones told TVNZ the fight was a Maselino Masoe. expected to finish about 2pm. in boxing, he brings them along, lose-lose for Parker. ‘‘Fighting The Press has been told a deal then they get to see what I can do some lumbering oaf, coming with Christchurch boxing coach too, so it’s good for the sport and swinging at him throwing wild and Olympic silver medallist good for me, too.’’ punches – no, he’ll learn nothing Kevin Barry was imminent but While Parker’s fight was always Brutal show: Reece Papuni, left, clinically dismantled Ritchie Harris in a heavyweight contest at the Hornby Working Men’s Club from that,’’ Jones said.