There’s a distinct Kiwi flavour to the 2020/21 Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWaman Series, with New Zealand athletes putting the pressure on their Trans -Tasman rivals and giving them a run for their money.

Putting on a show for young lifesavers back home in New Zealand, Cory Taylor, Joe Collins, Danielle McKenzie and Olivia Corrin hope that their performances inspire more Kiwi nippers to pursue their dreams of being an IronMan or IronWoman.

Four time New Zealand Ironwoman Champion Danielle Mckenzie became the first New Zealander to podium in 2017 and again in 2019 and said that she hopes that her performance and that of the other New Zealanders will inspire young Kiwi’s to come to Australia and compete.

“It’s amazing having the young Kiwi’s coming through the series,” McKenzie said.

“The likes of Joe Collins, Cory Taylor and Olivia Corrin are really inspiring young Kiwi’s back home.

“It’s good to show them that we can take it to the Aussies and really give it a good go over here,” she said.

Danielle McKenzie and Joe Collins both secured podium finishes in the Super Sprint Round Two on Saturday 13 February, while Taylor had his best hit out on Friday in the Round one EnduroSurf securing fourth.

Collins, who moved to the Gold Coast a year ago to pursue his Ironman dream said that training with the likes of Cory Taylor and teammates at BMD Northcliffe had helped him prep for the upcoming season and given him confidence going into his series debut.

“It’s great having the other Kiwi’s in our squad because it’s like a little family we’ve got there,” Collins said.

“I know I can always rely on them, especially Cory, as he has been an older brother figure to me.”

Taylor, who won the Round Four “specialist” in 2019/20 said that it was great to see fellow Kiwi and teammate Collins do so well in his debut Series.

“He’s still under 20 which is just awesome and hopefully it inspires more young Kiwi guys back at home to come over here and have a go like he does, and he’s getting results which is awesome,” said Taylor.

Collins and Taylor currently sit one point apart in fifth and sixth place respectively on the leader board while McKenzie and Corrin sit in fifth and nineteenth leading into the second weekend of competition with three rounds left.

The remaining three rounds of the Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman Series will take place across 26-28 February with round four (26 Feb) LIVE on Channel 9GO! from 12pm-2pm nationally and rounds five and six LIVE on Channel 9 from 12pm-2pm nationally.

To see the full point score and current leader board for the Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman  click here.

For further information about the Nutri-Grain Iron Series click here.

To see the full list of male and female competitors in the Nutri-Grain Iron Series click here.