AUSTRALIAN SHOWDOWN TIPPED ON THE BIG ISLAND
USM Events | Ironman, October 10, 2012: Kailua, Kona, Hawaii (October 9, 2012) – Defending IRONMAN World Champion Craig Alexander will head into Sunday’s race as favourite but the return of fellow Australian and two -time champion, Chris McCormack could potentially see an Australian domination of the podium.
Kailua, Kona, Hawaii (October 9, 2012) – Defending IRONMAN World Champion Craig Alexander will head into Sunday’s race as favourite but the return of fellow Australian and two -time champion, Chris McCormack could potentially see an Australian domination of the podium.
Alexander is only the fourth man to win the famed race three times and has no doubt his long-time rival will be a strong contender. But the 39-year-old is steering clear of any pre-race hype about a potential duel with McCormack for the Hawaii IRONMAN crown.
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Alexander, from Sydney, Australia, said it would be a major mistake to focus on any particular challenger, believing there are to seven or more men who must be considered legitimate contenders for the title.
"I'm trying to execute the best performance - I'm trying to beat everybody,'' Alexander said as he prepared for the race which involves a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run.
"I can't fixate on more than one scenario. This is more than a two-horse race.
Between them, Alexander and McCormack have won the last five elite men's world titles at the famous Hawaii race which is held annually on the Big Island.
After finishing second on debut to McCormack in 2007, Alexander took out the 2008 and 2009 races.
McCormack rebounded to take the title in 2010 after executing a superb race strategy on the bike leg, gaining a massive lead that Alexander was not able to close down.
In 2011 McCormack took a break from IRONMAN racing to concentrate on trying to make the Australian Olympic triathlon team.
McCormack fell short of making the Games team but went on to win the world long-course title.
On his way to a third IRONMAN win in 2011, Alexander went on to break the 16-year race record at Kona over the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon, posting a time of 8hrs 03mins and 56 seconds. He also led home an Australian quinella with Sydney’s Pete Jacobs posting his best performance for a second place.
Earlier this year Alexander also went under the eight-hour milestone to win the inaugural IRONMAN Asia Pacific Melbourne and validate his spot in Kona.
McCormack chose his own race, as an Ambassador for the Cairns Airport IRONMAN Cairns, to quietly finish 10th and secure his place in the field in Hawaii.
Alexander says he is quietly confident about his chances this year and McCormack is talking up the potential to unseat the reigning champion with a strong run leg.
"I have no doubt Chris is going to be one of the main contenders," Alexander said.
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"Anyone who knows him would know he's probably been planning this for a couple of years, he wouldn't have just decided two months ago to enter.
"In the big picture, it's probably a very good plan ... freshen up physically and mentally and have another tilt at it."
McCormack was equally respectful of Alexander, naming him as the best IRONMAN athlete in the world at the moment.
But McCormack’s meticulous preparation on all levels, along with a strategic race tactic, will ensure he gives himself the best chance of matching Alexander’s three titles on October 13.
"Despite what everyone is probably going to say here, he's still running fast, but I think ... his strength on the run isn't what it used to be,'' McCormack said.
"A running approach will get this guy.”
Australia’s Mirinda Carfrae has also been installed as the pre-race favourite despite a self confessed "mixed bag'' of results this season.
Carfrae hasn’t been her dominate self this year but that can be attributed to some transitional changes after switching coaches, and a more focused shift to her bike training.
Carfrae chose to race IRONMAN Melbourne, finishing a disappointing third to Caroline Steffen and Rachel Joyce. Unhappy with how she rode, the race did give Carfrae the confidence to take up an opportunity to work with Mat Steinmetz on her bike training and positioning.
“After making a few changes early in the year I think it always takes a little while for those to show in races. Sometimes you have take a couple of steps back before you can take a big step forward – that’s how I feel this seasons gone,” Carfrae said.
Carfrae can take confidence into this years’ race knowing she has the runs on the board in Kona, winning in 2010 and twice finishing second to the great Chrissie Wellington in 2009/2011.
Carfrae will face tough opposition if she is to become Australia’s first dual IRONMAN World Champion with the rise of those like Leanda Cave, Caroline Steffen, Mary Beth Ellis and Rachel Joyce over the last 12 months.
IRONMAN veteran and fellow Australian Rebekah Keat is also hoping to be among the contenders declaring to be in the best shape ever going into Sunday’s race.
"I'm so fit I'm scaring myself," she said.
Gold Coast based Keat declared this years’ race to be the most open in years with former multiple champion Chrissie Wellington absent from the fray, Keat believes any one of six or so athletes can win.
"More women can win this race than I have ever seen before," Keat said from Hawaii.
The 2012 challenge will be Keat's fifth assault on the race with her best previous result a sixth in her first attempt on the event back in 2007.
In her last attempt two years ago she was forced to retire with sciatic pain in her back.
Photo Credits:
Chris McCormack – Eyes Wide Open Images / Craig Alexander – Endurapix / Mirinda Carfrae - Finisherpix
:: Women’s Start List attached
RACE START: Sunday, 13 October, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
06:30 Male Professional/Elite Athletes
06:35 Female Professional/Elite Athletes
07:00 Age Groupers
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