Andrea Hansen named in Commonwealth Games team

40 year old Andrea Hansen is back in black after being named in the New Zealand triathlon team for this years Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

She is one of six athletes named including four who competed at last year’s Olympics, led by bronze medalist Hayden Wilde.

Andrea Hansen
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Hansen (nee Hewitt) has been competing on the world stage since 2005 and last year had a daughter.

Birmingham 2022 will be her fourth Commonwealth Games. She has won two Commonwealth Games medals and has competed at three editions of Olympic Games.

“I’ve been working towards this but it’s still a bit of a surprise to be named,” said Hansen.

“I didn’t know how I’d recover after having my daughter Flossie 15-months ago, so I’ve feeling very lucky to be back for my fourth Commonwealth Games.”

All six athletes will compete individually in the Men’s and Women’s Olympic distance race, which consists of a 1500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run. Once they have competed in the individual, a team of four will be named to compete as a team at the Mixed Team Relay.

Wilde from Whakatane, has carried on his impressive performance since the Games, with a World Champion Xterra title, a second place in the Triathlon Super League, a win at the Singapore Arena Games in May and most recently claimed a silver medal at the Yokohama World Triathlon.

Wilde and his fellow Olympic teammates, Tayler Reid, Ainsley Thorpe and Nicole van der Kaay will be joining him in this Commonwealth Games team, alongside with Hansen and Dylan McCullough from Auckland.

Tokyo Olympian Ainsley Thorpe from Cambridge says she can’t wait for her first Commonwealth Games.

“I’m super excited to be selected to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games. I’m looking forward to my overseas campaign in the lead up to the Games alongside my teammates”.

Nicole van der Kaay from Taupo, who won silver at the World Triathlon Championship Series in Hamburg in the Elite Women’s race at the end of 2021, is thrilled to be returning to racing in Europe.

“I’m super proud and excited to represent New Zealand in the triathlon for the Commonwealth Games. It’s always an honor it suit up in our colours, knowing New Zealand is backing us! Go the kiwis.”

Olympic bronze medalist Hayden Wilde
Photo: John Cowpland / Photosport

2018 Youth Olympic champion Dylan McCullough says he’ll be putting all his energy into chasing a top result at the Games.

“My coach John Hellemans and I have set a good plan, which includes a training camp in Spain and a few build up races before the games to make sure I go into the race at 100%,” said McCullough.

“I am really looking forward to soaking up the whole Commonwealth Games experience. I have just turned 21 and the Commonwealth Games is something that most New Zealand school kids learn about at some stage during their schooling. I remember doing a project on the Commonwealth Games in Primary school, so to get the opportunity to represent New Zealand now in Birmingham is a very special feeling.

“It’s an honour and privilege to be able represent your country and something that not many people get the chance to do. I am looking forward to pulling on my New Zealand Trisuit and competing to the best of my ability.”

The Triathlon New Zealand Reserve athletes are Olivia Thornbury and Trent Thorpe.

The naming takes the total number of athletes currently selected to the New Zealand Team for Birmingham 2022 to 63.

TEAM:

Nicole van der Kaay, Women’s Individual Triathlon & Mixed Team Relay (Tri Sport Taupo / Taupo)

Ainsley Thorpe, Women’s Individual Triathlon & Mixed Team Relay (Cambridge)

Andrea Hansen (nèe Hewitt), Women’s Individual Triathlon & Mixed Team Relay (Canterbury Triathlon Club / Christchurch)

Tayler Reid, Men’s Individual Triathlon & Mixed Team Relay (Eastland Triathlon & Multisport Club / Gisborne)

Hayden Wilde, Men’s Individual Triathlon & Mixed Team Relay (Eastern Bay Multisport & Triathlon Club / Whakatane)

Dylan McCullough, Men’s Individual Triathlon & Mixed Team Relay (Auckland)