There should be plenty of fireworks in Taupo this weekend in the pro races. Defending champion Terenzo Bozzone (NZL) will face some tough competition from the ageless Cameron Brown (NZL), who has won this race an astounding 12 times. The pair will have their hands full with Andrew Starykowicz (USA), Tim Reed (AUS) and 2017 race winner Braden Currie (NZL).
Laura Siddall (GBR) will be aiming to make it two-in-a-row, and will face off against her podium mates from last year, Teresa Adam (NZL) and Joycelyn McCauley (USA). The trio will contend with a fit and motivated Meredith Kessler (USA), who has won the race five times.
The 35th edition of Kellogg's Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand will go down in the history books for more than one reason.
We have SIX #IMNZ Champions all back to stake their claim for 2019.
1st Terenzo (2018)
1st Laura Siddall (2018)
1st Meredith Kessler (2012, 13, 14, 15, 16)
1st Braden Currie (2017)
1st Cameron Brown (2001, 02, 03, 04, 05, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 15, 16)
1st Jocelyn Gardner McCauley (2017)
Add to that 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship winner Tim Reed, 2x IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo Champion Mike Phillips Ironman, 15x IRONMAN Champion Andrew Starykowicz and IMNZ 2018 Runner up Teresa Adam NZ Triathlete (on debut).....and the pro field is simply on FIRE
MALE PRO:
1 Bozzone Terenzo NZL (NEW ZEALAND)
2 Brown Cameron NZL (NEW ZEALAND)
3 Currie Braden NZL (NEW ZEALAND)
4 Starykowicz Andrew USA (UNITED STATES)
5 Reed Tim AUS (AUSTRALIA)
6 Bowstead Mark NZL (NEW ZEALAND)
7 Burton Matt AUS (AUSTRALIA)
8 Phillips Mike NZL (NEW ZEALAND)
9 McNeice Dylan NZL (NEW ZEALAND)
10 Cochrane Simon NZL (NEW ZEALAND)
11 Brown Daniel AUS (AUSTRALIA)
12 Cavelier Sacha CAN (CANADA)
14 Hsieh Shen-Yen TWN (TAIWAN)
15 Kibby Mitchell AUS (AUSTRALIA)
16 Read Carl NZL (NEW ZEALAND)
17 Wendemuth Justin AUS (AUSTRALIA)
FEMALE PRO:
21 Siddall Laura GBR (UNITED KINGDOM)
22 Adam Teresa NZL (NEW ZEALAND)
23 McCauley Jocelyn USA (UNITED STATES)
24 Kessler Meredith USA (UNITED STATES)
25 Liepold Kristin DEU (GERMANY)
26 Mitchell Jessica AUS (AUSTRALIA)
27 Luse Nickie USA (UNITED STATES)
29 Burke Melanie NZL (NEW ZEALAND)
30 Clarke Rebecca NZL (NEW ZEALAND)
31 Davis Claire AUS (AUSTRALIA)
32 Furness Erin NZL (NEW ZEALAND)
33 Johann Carly USA (UNITED STATES)
34 Lane Chloe AUS (AUSTRALIA)
35 Loughnan Emily AUS (AUSTRALIA)
36 Toulmin Karen NZL (NEW ZEALAND)