If you're in the Auckland CBD, and catch a break in the weather, it's worth heading down to the waterfront to see athletes for the long weekend's ITU World Triathlon Series grand final, and the general preparation buzz.
Compared to the Rugby World Cup this time last year, security is very relaxed.
You can can mill around with the athletes in most areas, and check out their bikes if you're into that sort of thing. There's also a small expo for fitness bunnies.
The main difference with the World Cup is that Shed 10 is not a giant booze barn but a staging area for athletes.
Anyhow, some pics (click any image to zoom).
For competitors, training seems to involve imaginative ways to scarf-up against the Auckland weather.
Temporary stand in front of the Cloud and Shed 10 on Queens Wharf.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids. 100,000 spectators are expected (bearing in mind the powers-that-be estimates for World Cup numbers were always way off).
Another change from the World Cup: the big screen actually works.
There are 7000 competitors, apparently, though that number could change given a lot of them are heading out into Auckland traffic for warm-up rides.
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Auckland gears up for triathlon world champs (PHOTOS)
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