Terenzo Bozzone has withdrawn from the Ironman world championships in Hawaii with an achilles injury

Two Kiwi pros will start in what many are describing as the strongest field in years.

Braden Currie will line up alongside current New Zealand champion Mike Phillips.

The field will feature defending champion Patrick Lange , former Olympic and Ironman winner Jan Frodeno , and double Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee who is making his Kona debut.

Currie finished fifth in last year's race, and says it's difficult to know what to expect from Brownlee over the longer distance in the heat.

He says he'll keep an eye on him early, and try to settle into a good position on the bike.