PTO World #31 Braden Currie is relishing the chance to race the new IRONMAN World Championships course in Nice, with the Kiwi describing the event as the “most excited I’ve been about a race in a long time.”

Sharing in depth his approach to the final few months leading into the race, with specific details on his swim, bike and run preparations, Currie’s most recent YouTube video “Single Track to Nice” is a great insight into the training of one of the world’s best.

Racing this week in Milwaukee at the PTO Tour US Open, the New Zealander will have the chance to test himself against some old foes in Nice, with Kristian Blummenfelt and Lionel Sanders, who pipped him at the IROMAN World Championships last year in St George both racing.

“I think I’ve got a pretty solid lineup for Nice”

Explaining what makes him so excited about the course in the South of France, the recent IRONMAN Cairns winner said that in his opinion races have been softened in recent years in order to go fast, something that is certainly not the case in Nice.

“I think there probably hasn’t been a race for me that I’ve been as excited about for a long time. I think in the last ten years, races for me have been dialled down and it’s been about times and breaking world records.

“It’s been about making the distance as easy as possible, whereas I think this course is going to be a little different to that and as a result will really change the dynamic of the race.” 

Anticipating the bike to play a large part in the race of the eventual champion, Currie has put a lot of thought into preparing for the undulating terrain in Nice, a feature which as a former mountain biker the Kiwi thinks will play to his strengths.

“On the bike, I’m trying to make the it as light as possible and I’m excited for a really strong ride and to make everyone behind work hard. I think a strong ride, where I push the hills, will work really well for me, as one of my strengths as a former mountain biker is riding out the saddle and not just powering away in the TT position.”

Noosa to the world

Before heading out to Milwaukee for the US Open, Currie had set up a base in Noosa, where he’d been training under the watchful eye of legendary Australian swim coach John Rodgers to ensure he’d make the front pack wherever he next raced.

“I’ve been swimming with old mate JR in Noosa, which gives me the confidence that by the time we reach Europe I’ll be in good swim shape and make that front pack.

“We leave from here, go race Milwaukee on the way, which will be my first PTO distance race outside the Collins Cup. I think it will be interesting as I know my best IRONMAN 70.3 results are up there so I’m excited to get up there and roll the dice.

“From Milwaukee, I’m heading to an altitude camp, where I’ll spend three weeks preparing there and then it will almost be time to race.”