HEAT AND HUMIDITY SUIT TRIATHLETE

Beijing bound triahtlete Debbie Tanner departs New Zealand today for Ishigaki, Japan on the next step of her Olympic journey.

Tanner will travel to Japan to take part in her second ITU World Cup race of the 2008 season.  The Ishigaki venue is bound to bring back fond memories for the 25yr old as it was the location of her first World Cup win, the results of which catapulted her into the top ranks of the world’s elite triahtletes.

Sunday’s race will be a measure of just how far Tanner has come since then with the focus shifted from podium place finishes to preparation for the Olympic Games.  Japan’s climate will provide an excellent opportunity to race in conditions similar to those expected in Beijing with high temperatures and stifling humidity.

‘I really enjoy racing in Japan, the crowd gets right behind you and I’ve had some great results there in the past’ says Tanner.  ‘Dehydration can be an absolute race killer so the more hot weather races I can get under my belt before Beijing the better’.

Coverage of the race can be viewed live at www.triathlon.org from 4pm (NZT) Sunday, April 13.