Before the final event of Triathlon Super League, Kiwi Hayden Wilde is confident he can emerge victorious on the golden shores of California.
"It's my first time in Malibu and my first proper time in the States, first time embracing the American lifestyle," Wilde tells Newshub.
But Wilde isn't just looking forward to the food - he feels he has a real advantage with the first beach start of the season.
"Running in the water favours me, because it's a beach start and my background is living next to the beach. Having those surf lifesaving skills helps me."
They could help him win a Super League title, with the Kiwi currently second on the standings, heading into the final race.
For Wilde to take out this year's crown, he simply needs to win the race - or beat Brits Jonathan Brownlee and Alex Yee, and finish no more then one place behind Frenchman Vincent Luis.
"I'll give it everything I've got and hopefully beat Johnny [Brownlee], who is ahead of me," Wilde says.
Victory would see Wilde become just the second male ever to win a Super League title, after Luis' recent domination of the series.
"Vincent Luis is the only man to ever take out the Super League series, so it would be awesome to be the new titleholder."
But the Olympic bronze medalist insists taking out this title was high on his list at the start of the season.
"It was a big goal for me," he says. "I know that if I turned up for this month of racing, then I knew I'd have a chance.
"I made my statement in London and just showed I was up for it physically.
"It's super short and sharp, and suits me down to a tee of being an aggressive racer."
And he hopes to end his 2021 breakout season on a high.
"I feel like I'm definitely racing in career form," Wilde says.
With the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games on the horizon, Wilde is excited at the prospect of improving even more.
"I've got so much more to improve on, which is so good for a professional athlete."
A successful result at Malibu would certainly be the icing on the cake of his 2021 season.
