Leading NZ Triathlete Braden Currie is starting his World Championship campaign on January 21.
After illness disappointment at the Kona World Championships last year, Braden is giving everything he’s got for the 2023 season. On the ever increasing pace of the world triathlon scene, Braden said “The bar has been lifted higher this year than anyone ever thought it would go. It’s a mental challenge to get your head around believing you can go this fast. But I’m here for a good time not a long time, so I’m going to keep running”.
Although this year’s World Championships will be held in France, not at Hawaii’s Kona, Braden is giving it everything he’s got “I know I only have a few years at the very peak of the sport. The venue is what it is. Do I agree with it? No. But am I going to race as hard as I can? Absolutely. I’m going to give it my best shot”.
Braden must hold of flying youngster Jack Moody who is touted to be the next big thing in the sport.
Moody just took out the Taupo 70.3 in December 2022 for his first major win. He also won the November 2022 Queenstown Half Marathon with a time of 1:08:05. When asked about how coming into the Tauranga Half as one of the favourites changes things he said “I don’t think I have ever been the favourite in anything so yes it’s an honour. For sure I am coming to win”.
On racing Moddy, Braden said “It has been great to see Jack win in Taupo in December. He has worked hard over the years and its paying off. It will be a good battle on the run as Jack always runs well off the bike”.
The 2023 Tauranga Half event has attracted the strongest elite field in its 34 year history. Close to 30 elite athletes will toe the line for the event on 21 January, making it one of the biggest fields across any triathlon in NZ.
The stacked men’s pro field which includes, Taupo Ironman 70.3 champion Jack Moody, Olympian Ryan Sissons, Mike Phillips, Sam Osborne, Ben Phillips, Mark Bowstead, Simon Cochrane, Scott Harpham, Ben Hamilton, Tom Somerville, Brett Clifford, Jayden Kuijpers, Lucas DuRoss, Bryan Rhodes, Liam Bird & Mike Tong.
On top of the pro field, around 700 others will race on the day to give it a go on the fast, flat Tauranga Eastern Link highway.
For local athletes wanting to challenge themselves with an athletic endeavour in the new year, entries are open at www.mountfestival.kiwi