Currie wants to add to his Kathmandu Coast to Coast titles   7 Nov 2016

Currie wants to add to his Kathmandu Coast to Coast titles

7 November 2016

Wanaka endurance athlete Braden Currie wants to add to his three Kathmandu Coast to Coast titles, confirming he will be on the start line in February after missing this year’s event as he chased an Olympic Triathlon spot.

The thirty year old Currie committed himself to triathlon after winning the iconic Coast to Coast event three years in succession, from 2013 to 2015, but was not successful in booking a spot for Rio saying he is now looking forward to getting back in a kayak and going for his fourth Coast to Coast title in the event’s Longest Day World Championship event on February 11.

“It’s exciting times for me,” Currie said. “It’s been a big year pushing the triathlon scene, but it’s good to be back competing in off road racing.”

Currie says he has ‘dusted off the boat’ several times in the last 12 months as he eyes a comeback to the event he first made a name for himself in, but knows he has plenty of work to do to get his kayaking endurance and strength up for speed to be competitive in February.

“I just need to get a good base in during the next couple of months, having some fun, getting in the rivers doing what I enjoy and hopefully that should bring some good form by race day.”

He took some time off from his own training while in Christchurch over the weekend to take a group of nine Linwood College students, named the Coast to Coast Rangers, through some exercises, also giving the students some motivating tips. Having Currie share his knowledge is part of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast School's Base Camp Academy package the group won in September.

Currie was confident he can win the event again setting up a fascinating battle with this year’s One Day winner Sam Clark who won the event for the first time in convincing fashion, finishing over 50 minutes ahead of Coast to Coast veteran Bob McLachlan and Australian Alex Hunt.

Currie will also have completion from a number of top Australian multi sporters and local hopes Hamish Fleming and Sam Goodall.

“I just love the race, I’m super passionate about it so I’m looking forward to giving it a good crack,” Currie said.

Kathmandu Coast to Coast Event Director Richard Ussher welcomed the return of the three time winner, saying it will add some real spice to the longest day event.

“Braden is a real competitor and just goes hard all day,” Ussher said. “To see him going head to head with Sam (Clark) and some of New Zealand’s best multi sporters as well as Courtney and some strong overseas competitors will be fantastic and add some real excitement. There are a number of others who have been improving each year and 2017 could easily be the year they make the jump to be in the mix for top honours."

Ussher said he was pleased with how entries were tracking, saying they are up on the same time as last year with competitors from Australia up 10 percent.

“Entries are well up on the last two years with less than 10 entries left in the tandem event and already more individuals signed up in both the One and Two day events than were on the start line in 2016,” Ussher said.

“The corporate section is also attracting strong interest with D&H Steel entering 30 employees and laying down a challenge to other companies to get involved.”

This year sees the introduction of personalised bibs for competitors, provided they enter before the 1st of December, with three size options, name (or team name) country flag and competitors club recognition all included making these a fantastic keepsake from the event. For the first time ever teams will also be able to purchase extra bibs so each team member can have the correct size and take away their bib as a memento of their race.

“It’s another new initiative that is focused on providing the best experience for those racing,” Ussher said. “

ENDS

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