The chance of a US$70,000 ($NZ120k) + payday? Very appealing. The opportunity to race a world champs at home? Absolutely priceless.
Hannah Berry is primed to put the finishing touches on a stellar year when the women take centre stage at the VinFast Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Taupo on Saturday.
The Mt Maunganui 34-year-old is joined in a stacked pro women’s field by Aucklander Rebecca Clarke and Tauranga’s Hannah Knighton and has the most to gain from the 1.9km Lake Taupo swim, undulating 90km bike and 21.1km run.
Berry goes into the finale of the inaugural Ironman Pro Series season in 7th place after a breakout season including victory at Ironman Cairns, 10th at the full Ironman worlds in Nice and most recently 7th at the Asia Pacific 70.3 champs in Western Australia.
With 3000 points on the line for Saturday’s winner, and then one point per second less thereafter for the rest, Berry knows a top 10 finish in Taupo will help her climb further up the Pro Series standings to claim a larger share of the US$1.7 million bonus prize purse.
If the season ended today, Berry would take home US$30,000 but hopes to more than double that.
“For the series, I think I need a little under 1,200 points to reach fourth place overall, so that is a big goal for me,” Berry said.
“If I can just race the best I currently can across all three disciplines, and get those points for the series, then that is a very successful day for me.”
As ever, Berry just wants to “race to my current potential” and “leave it all out there for the last race of the year.”
But here’s the thing, this final race is different gravy given the venue.
“It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The 70.3 worlds have never been held here in New Zealand, and as an athlete from New Zealand I am used to having to travel a long way for the big championship’s races, so to have one here at home, and have all the top athletes coming out to New Zealand is really special.”
Berry expects fast and furious racing as American Jackie Hering looks to defend her lead in the Pro Series while the likes of second placed Brit Kat Matthews and Aussie-based Dutchwoman Lotte Wilms apply plenty of heat, not to mention the presence of long distance superstars Ashleigh Gentle and Taylor Knibb, the reigning Ironman 70.3 champion.
“The women’s race is looking really competitive, with almost all of the top contenders making it out here to race, which is so great,” Berry said.
“For the win, I think you can’t go past the defending champ Taylor Knibb as the favourite, with the likes of Julie Derron, Kat Matthews, Ash Gentle and Carol Pohle looking to contend, along with a few others.
“I would like to get as close to the top 10 as possible. If I have a great day, maybe I can be inside the top 10.”
The women’s race begins at 7am NZT on Saturday. The men go at the same time on Sunday.
For those unable to attend live in Taupo, live coverage will be broadcast free across multiple platforms including proseries.ironman.com, YouTube and Sky Sport Now in New Zealand.
