While Cameron Brown is chasing a spot in history in Saturday's 19^th Ironman New Zealand in Taupo, a group of 40-somethings will be seeking to rewrite the record books. A super-talented bunch will be hoping for good conditions in an attempt to dip under the nine-hour barrier at Carlton Cold Ironman New Zealand - the first time the feat would have been achieved at an Ironman event by this age group in the southern hemisphere.

They are an illustrious group headed by 1988 Ironman World Champion Scott Molina, who won the inaugural Ironman New Zealand title in 1985. He is joined by Kiwi Matt Brick, the 1991 and 1992 World Duathlon Champion, now an orthopaedic surgeon. Last year's 35-29 years New Zealand age group champion Greg Fraine (Waikanae), a former national cycling representative, has moved up to the ``group of death'', along with Auckland's Steve Farrell, a former podium placegetter in the elite section.

Hamilton's Wayne Shackleton won the age group last year and placed top-15 in Hawaii, while Australian Stephen Hemy edged out Fraine for the age group honours two years ago. There are no records of any Ironman aged 40 years who has gone under nine hours in Ironman events in New Zealand, Australia, Asia or South America - or indeed the mainland of the United States where the sport was born.

Only one person has gone under the nine-hour barrier at 40 in the United States - the great Dave Scott who twice went under the barrier at the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii, although he was racing as a pro elite. They were in 1994 when the six-time Hawaii champion went 8:24:32 at age 40 to finish second to Greg Welch and in 1996 at age 42 he went 8:28:31.

The super-fast bike courses in Austria and Germany provide the opportunity for a number of the 40-plus brigade to dip under the nine-hour mark but to achieve this on the rough metal chip roads in New Zealand would be a remarkable feat.

It's the first time that Molina has race Ironman New Zealand since his prime in the 1980s. Married to Kiwi icon Erin Baker, Molina is based in Christchurch and has developed into a successful coach. He was called "The Terminator", Molina is one of the original legends of the sport and a member of triathlon's Big Four with Mark Allen, Scott and Scott Tinley. Molina, on the back of a remarkable capacity for long miles in training, has won more triathlon races than any other in the sport's short history - his winning streak during his prime was 38 wins in succession. He is credited with turning Cameron Brown in to the multiple Ironman champion and major force at the highest level.

Brick, although speciallising in duathlon in his racing career, placed second to American legend, Ray Browning, at Ironman New Zealand in 1989. Brick went on to claim the World Duathlon Championships in 1991 and 1992. He has returned to Tauranga with his family before heading overseas for two years to further his career as an orthopaedic surgeon. He dipped under the four-hour mark to win his age-group at the Port of Tauranga half ironman last month. Fraine, Shackleton and Farrell will also have their say in proceedings, while Australian Hemy may surprise them all. Given good conditions, the nine-hour barrier will be under serious threat.