Published January 24, 2011 06:18PM
Ironman triathlete Richard Ussher of New Zealand has announced he will put his triathlon career on hold as he pursues another title at the Coast-to-Coast multisport adventure race in New Zealand. After winning the Coast-to-Coast race three times, Ussher retired from adventure racing to train full-time as a triathlete.
Three-time Coast to Coast champion Richard Ussher is turning his back on Ironman triathlon in search of a fourth win in the 243km world multisport championship across the South Island.
Ussher has not competed in the event since 2008 when he defeated arch rival Gordon Walker. But while Walker went on to win three titles in the world championship event, Ussher shifted his sights to Ironman triathlon.
However, Ussher has recently become disenchanted with Ironman triathlon: “It’s a hard sport to make a living in,” he said simply. “You can only do two or three races a year, which I don’t like for a start because more than anything I love racing.”
Ussher, 34, is now going to focus on multisport, adventure racing and Xterra, the off-road version of triathlon where he finished seventh at the 2010 world championships despite a heavy crash during the mountain bike section.
Coast to Coast race director Robin Judkins delighted by Ussher’s entry for the Feb. 12 race.
“I’m over the moon that Richard is racing again,” he said. “Richard is arguably the most talented guy multisport has ever seen.”