Cooks triathletes set for NZ races

A group of Cook Islands triathletes are preparing to tackle the Taupo and Tauranga Half Ironman races.

And under the guidance of Tereora PE teacher and one of the islands top triathletes, Vanessa Palmer, the local team is ready to tackle the New Zealand races.

For the past three months, Palmer has been putting Rob Buick, Taki Anaru, Pare Tangata, Apii Napa and Rangi Apera through their paces as they prepare to take on the Ironman races as individual athletes.

Westpac Bank general manager Buick will be tackling the Taupo Half Ironman race on December 11 and hopes to finish the 2km swim, 90km cycle and 21km run course around the 6 hour mark.

Since taking up his post in Cooks in 2009 – Buick began leading a healthier and more active lifestyle which has seen him shed a whopping 25kg.

He says that in just the last nine weeks of training for the Taupo Half Ironman he has lost 12kg and he credits his transformation to his understanding wife and daughter.

Buick says that since becoming serious about looking after his health he’s got more energy and ‘feels better’.

Meanwhile, Taki Anaru, Pare Tangata, Apii Napa and Rangi Apera will tackle the Tauranga Half Ironman which also includes a 2km swim, 90km cycle and 21km run course on January 8 in their age categories.

They will be joined by coach Vanessa Palmer and fellow top local triathlete Kelly Pick who will race as elite athletes.

Apart from Anaru, Palmer and Pick – the remaining athletes will be racing the Ironman for the first time and they are looking forward to putting months of hard work and training into practise.

Another contingent of Cook Islands athletes and supporters look likely to be heading over to New Zealand to tackle the Ironman races as a team.