Rotorua 3D - 2nd June 14

Despite having a few weeks of feeling rather flat after China and the Absolute Wilderness Race in April I was feeling pretty good going into 3D. If anything I was under done with respect to training but I was well recovered, something I don't think I've allowed myself to do in 18months. Last weeks duathlon at Rabbit Island had also provided a vital pre-race sharpen up.

From the gun the race unfolded pretty much as I expected. Those paddling K1's shot off to a healthy lead early on but didn't seem to be be stretching out at all and patches of boat wake shifted the advantage momentarily to me in Flow kayaks recent addition, the Addict. At the close of lap one I was in 7th position until Jared Kohlar took an unexpected swim in front of transition making for great entertainment. Nothing as exciting eventuated in lap 2 as I exited in 6th position.

Onto the bike my legs were cold. Despite a barmy 8 degrees that morning the constant breeze had left my legs unresponsive. Nothing a 2km climb wouldn't fix. Into the heart of the ride I did my own thing, simply going as hard as the legs would allow. After about 30mins I noticed Jared was catching me and soon I allowed him to take the lead. We exchanged lead a couple of times in the remaining 45mins of riding but ultimately Jared was setting a great pace and I aimed to keep pace.

Into transition we saw Sam Clark just leaving meaning there was less than a minute gap. Whilst I left TA first Jared set the early pace on the climb and gradually stretched out a 15sec gap. Ten minutes after leaving TA we passed Sam who was struggling and clearly doing his own thing. It was now down to the two of us. I slowly pulled back Jared's margin and by the end of the lap he was sitting on my heels. Not for long. Into the second climb Jared put another burst on but this time I managed to keep on his heels. Over the top I took the lead back and controlled the pace for the next 10mins or so. Well aware that I was on my limit I needed Jared to falter if I was to win but instead with 1km to go he put in an awesome burst of speed on a small hill leaving me in his wake. I had nothing to respond with and finished as quick as possible but the damage was done and Jared had finished a great race. A well deserved win. Good close racing however and although gutted not to take overall honours it showed I've made some great improvements since this time last year.

A big thanks for Thermatech, Legend Paddles, Rasdex and R&R Sport for their continued and valuable support and my loyal family aka support crew.

Click here for Nelson Mail race report