One of Australia’s most celebrated male triathletes of the last 15 years, Courtney Atkinson, is the first to admit that he’s a little rusty when it comes to racing. But he is determined to turn his training form into winning race form when he lines up in the OUT Oceania Championships in Devonport, Tasmania on Saturday.

The Olympic Distance event will be the first meaningful triathlon of the season with a dedicated Olympic place up for grabs for Oceania federations. And in a nutshell – that translates into Australia v New Zealand out to lock in places for the London Olympics as well as the all-important rankings points in what is certain to be one of the most exciting Trans Tasman clashes in recent times.

“When it comes to racing I race to win and if that’s the case then everything else will take care of itself,” said Atkinson, who at 32, has “been there done that” in the world of triathlon and has his sights set on a second Olympics, after making his debut in Beijing.

“As far as my training is concerned then it’s the best it’s been, it world class but as far as my racing is concerned then I still have a way to go, but I’ve raced some smaller races over the last three weekends and I’m getting there. I will be looking to do a good job in Devonport.

“After last year I have gone back to what I do best. I am back training alongside my old training partner in (Australian marathon runner) Michael Shelley and I’m actually training alongside swim coach Colin Braund who coaches a host of my competitors and Olympic open water swimmer Ky Hurst.

“People say I need a coach but I have surrounded myself with some great trainers and for the first time in a long time I am 100 percent and sickness and injury free.

“So I am going into Devonport focusing on myself; I’m not thinking about Olympic selection spots, when you start thinking like that then you can lose focus.

“I am racing for myself and I’m going out to win and if I can do that then it’s good for the Federation (Triathlon Australia) and it’s good for everyone.

“And when it comes to the Olympics I just don’t want to go and make up the numbers; I want to go there and be competitive.

“Sure when it comes to the men’s race all the talk has been about the Brownlees (Alistair and Jonathan) but this is an Olympic year and anything can happen.

“I want to go to London knowing I am capable of winning a medal and history has shown that if you are in the pack of 15 or 20 guys off the bike then you’re a chance.

“At the moment I know what I have to do to be competitive with them (the Brownlees) and I know I can get back to the kind of form that I have showed in the past when I have run head-to-head with the Brownlees.

“I believe I can get back to that level when I was mixing it with them and Javier Gomez.”

Atkinson will spearhead a large group of Australians who will mix it with the New Zealanders, some who are his life long friends.

“I guess it’s a different story when the gun goes,” said Atkinson.

Ian Hanson for Triathlon Australia