In 12 months, Taupō will host the Ironman 70.3 World Championships — half the distance of a traditional Ironman.
It means tomorrow's race in the town takes on added significance, with pre-race nerves and anticipation building even amongst seasoned athletes such as multi-sport world champion Braden Currie.
"It's always special racing here in Taupō," Currie said.
"They always put on an amazing event."
Fellow Kiwi triathlete Rebecca Clarke agreed.
"It's always so special racing at home, it's so relaxed."
But this time next year that tranquillity will feel the ripples of a world championship — a first for New Zealand.
"A lot of guys focusing on next year on the world champs [are here] to give it a test run," Currie said.
Two-time Taupō 70.3 winner Currie said he would love to race for the world title on home soil but first he has to qualify, needing to finish tomorrow in the top two of those who haven't already secured a spot.
But it won't be easy with the men's field boasting some of the world's best Ironman athletes, including Spain's Javier Gomez who won silver over the Olympic distance at the 2012 Games.
"I have a big race tomorrow against some really strong athletes so I have more focus on this race and not so much world champs next year," Gomez said.
In the women's field, Clarke is already guaranteed a start in next year's world champs after her first Ironman win in September.
Regardless, she plans to send another statement tomorrow too.
"I know this course pretty well and I'm going to make use of home advantage," she said.
"I can have a bit of fun with it, take some risk and see what will work for next year."
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