Robbo Comes Out Of Retirement to Race Hawaiian Ironman

Posted in Other News

Triathlon, February 8, 2013: After two years in retirement, Australia’s three-time ITU World Champion and two-time Olympian Peter Robertson has announced his return to professional racing with the aim of winning the Hawaiian Ironman.

After retiring in 2010, Robertson spent some time away from the sport until last year when he became involved with the Triathlon Australia National Talent Academy (NTA) – coaching and mentoring emerging athletes.

When this position finished a few months ago Robertson started back into some training.

“Whilst working with the junior athletes last year, their enthusiasm reminded me of the passion that I have for the sport,” Robertson said in a press release today.

“This was a huge motivating factor in my decision to make a comeback. When I started training again, I quickly realised that my passion for the sport had returned.”

Realising that he was still in good shape (after running a 2hr 34min marathon in 2011) and fit and healthy, this soon became more than just training for fun.

To Robertson’s surprise after returning from a recent high altitude training camp in Thredbo, he could still mix it with the best in the sport.

“The endurance was still great and the most exciting part was my approach to training again. I’m prepared to do all the little details which are needed bin professional sport,” said Robertson, who was well known for his attention to detail whilst training and racing.

He has analysed the areas that he can improve and will make the necessary changes to once again become the best in the world. Being coached again, was one area of improvement.

With the goal of winning the Hawaiian Ironman in 2014, he has sought the expert advice of Mat Steinmetz, a coach from the US who has worked with recent Hawaiian Ironman champions such as Craig Alexander and Mirinda Carfrae.

“At 36 I can’t afford to make any mistakes. That’s why I went to the top and Mat was the perfect fit,” said Robertson.

“He’s worked with recent champions in Hawaii. That’s what I want to achieve, so he knows what required. He’s also based in Boulder Colorado where I will set up base during the Australian winter.”

Robertson’s first race will be the 70.3 long course triathlon this Sunday in Geelong.

A venue Robertson has had an enormous amount of success at, winning World Cup, Australian titles and numerous sprint events there during his short course career.

To follow Robertson, you can find him on twitter @PeteRobboAus or on Facebook for all his latest news and results.

Issued on behalf of Triathlon Australia.

Ian Hanson

For the latest follow @AYOF2013 on Twitter.