Top New Zealand ironman Cameron Brown returns on Monday to Whangamata, the place where he first made his mark in triathlon, in the second round of the seven-event national triathlon series.
Brown, 38, won his first senior event as an 18-year-old in Whangamata when he defeated his hero Rick Wells and will kick off his 2011 campaign over the standard distance event on Monday.
"A combination of swimming in the surf, the tough hilly bike and the run that includes a section on the beach makes for a great and testing course," Brown said today.
Nine-time Ironman New Zealand winner Brown made a late decision to race at Whangamata despite lining up at the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman five days later.
"It will be tough with only five days between this and the Half so I'm hoping for an easy run if I can get it, he said.
"My main aim is to go through the motions of swim/bike/run in a competitive environment, as my last race was back in October and I need to practice my transitions."
Among those on the start line looking to knock over Brown will be a host of youngsters, including Auckland schoolboy stars Cooper Rand and Matt Franklin, Tri NZ High Performance squad member Edward Rawles (Inglewood) and Matt's older brother Sam.
NZPA