Javier Gomez and Chelsea Sodaro, who boast multiple World Championship titles between them and are both coached by Dr Dan Plews, will continue their Oceania racing campaigns next month in Australia.
The pair, who started the season last weekend at the Tauranga Half with a second place finish for Sodaro and a disqualification for Gomez, will next race on February 4.
Heading to Hobart for IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania, the pair will look to tick off their slots for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupo at the end of the year.
Sodaro starting season strong
Following a rollercoaster 2023, Sodaro’s performance over the middle distance in Tauranga will have been a source of encouragement heading to Tasmania, with her run in particular looking close to its best.
![Chelsea Sodaro PTO Asian Open 2023 run [Photo credit: PTO / Darren Wheeler]](https://www.tri247.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Chelsea-Sodaro-PTO-Asian-Open-2023-run.jpg)
In Australia next month, Sodaro will face off against a strong contingent of home athletes, with last year’s runner-up Grace Thek and previous podium finisher Penny Slater on the start line.
Given that the earliest the American has started her season in recent years was with Clash Miami in March, it is great to see her on the start line so soon into the year ahead of what promises to be an action packed calendar later in the season.
Redemption for Gomez
After a mechanical issue hampered his race in Tauranga, Javier Gomez’s first priority in Tasmania will be to make it into the final results after a DNF and a DSQ in his last two events.
If things go his way, the field in Hobart will be a great test, with Kiwi Braden Currie a formidable opponent and professional cyclist Cameron Wurf another addition to the start list who can change a race with his bike pedigree.
Australians Nick Thompson and Mitchell Kibby are two more talented athletes set to race in a fortnight’s time, with the competition for the podium looking to be fierce.
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