IRONMAN CHAMPION ALEXANDER LEADS AUSSIE CHARGE IN VEGAS
BRISBANE, Australia (September 07, 2013) – Australian athletes, led by two-time champion Craig Alexander, make up nearly a third of the men’s field for Monday’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Las Vegas (AUS time).
There are 15 Australians who have qualified in the men’s field and five in the women, which is led by 2011 world champion Melissa Hauschildt and Asia Pacific winner Annabel Luxford.
It is not limited to numeric strength, with Australian athletes having won eight IRONMAN 70.3 victories between them this year, Alexander leading the way with three, while Joe Gambles has two.
Ironman legend Greg Welch, who led the Australian onslaught on the Ironman scene and winner of the 1994 Ironman world title, believes tradition and lifestyle has much to do with the strength from Australians in the sport.
“They are stronger in numbers because of the nature of the heritage and culture of sports in the region,” Welch said.
“Aussies grow up with either surf lifesaving or learn to swim classes and live their lives in or close to the ocean. It trickles down into competitive sports.”
This year has seen a number of Olympic distance athletes step up including double Olympian Brad Kahlefeldt who has qualified for Sunday’s 1.9km swim 90km bike and 21.1 km run in the white-hot heat in Henderson Valley.
Kahlefeldt will enjoy the hot conditions and if he can stay in touch on the bike leg will unleash his lethal run speed which could put him on the podium.
While Alexander is bidding to become the first man to win the Ironman 70.3 title three times, it may be in the women’s ranks where Australia has its best chance with Hauschildt bidding to repeat her 2011 victory.
The 30 year old Australian, a former champion steeplechaser on the track, made a spectacular switch to triathlon four years ago that culminated in a stunning victory in the 2011 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.
After an injury-affected 2012 season, Brisbane-based Hauschildt has enjoyed a superb run to this year’s championships, with five wins from six races.
She won the long distance events in Abu Dhabi and Koh Samui, where she was fourth overall before claiming the ITU World Long Distance title in Europe. Since returning to her US base in Boulder, she has two IRONMAN 70.3 victories. Her only race where she did not stand on the podium was last week’s Olympic distance race in Des Moines where she was second to compatriot Emma Moffatt.
“The aim there was to get on the podium. So I have ticked all the boxes this year so far. Hopefully I can continue on this weekend,” says Hauschildt. “I felt awesome in the race. And to run a bit quicker was a perfect hit-out for Vegas.”
“I definitely feel I am a stronger athlete this year than in 2011 when I won it. In 2011 the longest I had ever run was 21km when I raced so at the end of it I was very much on edge. This time I feel I have a much better base. I also did Abu Dhabi early season to get some longer bike and run ks under the belt to lay a good base and be fit and strong for Vegas.”
That mileage, including the win in the clammy climes of Thailand, will hopefully provide the fuel when the going gets tough in the white-hot heat, late in the run on Sunday.
“The heat is the major thing. Look at what happened last year. I wasn’t fit and I was sick but everyone else just blew up on the run. Nutrition is going to be such an important part on the bike so you can get through the run.”
Race Start: Sunday, 8 September 2013 – 06.30
|
Las Vegas (U.S.A. - Nevada) |
Sunday, 8 September 2013 at 6:30:00 AM |
UTC-7 hours |
|
Brisbane (Australia - Queensland) |
Sunday, 8 September 2013 at 11:30:00 PM |
UTC+10 hours |
|
Corresponding UTC (GMT) |
For live coverage follow www.ironmanlive.com.
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