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Banana sandwich takes Nicole Hackett to the top
SYDNEY, Aug 25 (AFP) - Australia's world triathlon champion Nicole Hackett has come far since her days as a surf lifesaver and will challenge for a medal at the Sydney Olympics -- but only if a banana sandwich is on the menu. The 21-year-old from Terrigal on the New South Wales central coast cannot function without it and on September 16 plans to dive into Sydney Harbour, in a wetsuit, with a full stomach. "I have a strict eating regime on the day of the race," she said. "I always eat a banana sandwich before I compete. It's a ritual" Australian women are the elite force of international triathlon and Hackett could prove to be Australia's first gold medallist of the Games, although world No.1 Michelle Jones will pushing hard for the honour. Hackett cites swimming as her preferred discipline and should be the one to chase coming out of Fram Cove in the sdahow of the Opera House for the 40 kilometre bike ride. "I've swum since I was young," she says. Bored with hanging out on the beach, Hackett moved into the sport when she was 14 "because I wanted something more demanding". And her determination and resilience have taken her close to the pinnacle. She is the reigning national champion. International recognition came at the women's world championship in Perth last April when she bravely fought off a challenge from Canadian Carol Montgomery to snatch an upset win. Hackett led for most of the gruelling race and finished seven seconds in front of the long-striding veteran although the win was marred by an almighty faux pas by the International Triathlon Union. The ruling body forgot to confirm the length of the course prior to the championships leading to the women running two kilometres less than the supposed 10 kilometres. Jones was third. Hackett has hardly competed since, skipping an international meet in Hungary earlier this month. with her coach and manager Keiran Bowing saying his charge wanted to keep a low profile. "We just want to stay away from everything and not get distracted by anything," Bowing said. "And rather than spend 30 hours travelling there and back, we decided to stay here and keep focussed." Bowing adds that her failure to compete has nothing to do with a series of minor leg injuries which she has since overcome. "There's been no point in racing -- there's only one race to worry about and that's what we're doing." Hackett suffered a minor stress fracture after an old ankle problem led to hip and knee injuries earlier this year.
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