The 2014 Samoa International Events Warrior Race today is set to bring Apia to a standstill.
In its second year, the race has attracted elite triathletes from New Zealand and Australia.
Yesterday, the Associate Minister of Tourism, Tafua Maluelue Tafua, welcomed them to Samoa. He was speaking during the official launch of the race at the Samoa Tourism Authority Fale in Apia
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“We are delighted to serve as the home ground for this event,” Tafua said.
“To win the title of Samoa Warrior is one of great prestige, as that is only given to the best of our country.”
The Associate Minister also acknowledged the Race’s Organiser, Afoa Seti Afoa. “Coordinated multi-sport events are very new to us and we are grateful to Seti Afoa, supporters and sponsors of these events,” said Tafua.
Referring to the sports facilities available in Samoa, the Associate Minister said: “The government built such infrastructure with talented people like Afoa Seti in mind.” He added that the government is confident more similar events will follow in the future.
The Associate Minister also said he has been reliably informed “the course is very cruel.” And it is. The Warrior Race / Half Iron distance involves a 2km swim, 90km bike and 21km run.
Champion, Graham O’Grady, is back to defend his title.
“Its great going into the event knowing what to expect with the heat so this year I am doing plenty of indoor workouts and having lots of saunas, there is not to much else I go do while training in the NZ winter,” he said earlier this week.
Among an impressive line up in the men’s race are Sam Betten and Ollie Whistler, of Australia.
Also returning are Auckland proathletes Stephen Farrell, Kerry Weeks and Jared Bowden.
The women’s field is led by Sarah Crowley of Brisbane. Crowley finished third in last year’s Women’s race and is favourite to take out her first Samoan title. She is joined in the Women’s pro-field by two kiwis Julia Grant and Jo Carrel, who returns for her second Warrior Race.
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