Sizzling Weekend Of Racing Expected Down Under

Josh Tinson previews this weekend's Ironman Western Australia.

The coastal resort town of Busselton, located in Australia's magnificent South West region, is in the final stages of preparation as the host venue for this weekend's sixth edition of the Ironman Western Australia Triathlon.

This Saturday’s race has attracted yet another record field, with 1,307 individuals and 111 teams ready to take on a flat and fast Busselton course, topped off with expected temperatures of 30 Celsius (86 Fahrenheit), and the potential for some howling headwinds throughout the day.

Since its inception in 2004, Ironman Western Australia has developed a reputation as one of the world’s great triathlon destination events. A third of this year’s field are international entrants, representing 40 nations. Leading the international charge is Singapore (102 entrants), closely followed by the US (83 entrants).

This year’s event will feature:

• 1,025 male and 282 female competitors

• Youngest competitor 18 (James Anerson) and oldest 75 (Geoffrey Gearing)

• 480 Ironman “first-timers”

• 918 Ironman Western Australia first-timers

• 22 local Busselton entrants

• 28 people lining up for their sixth Ironman Western Australia

• Six previous race winners including defending champions Tim Berkel and Gina Crawford

As always, there are countless stories of inspiration, commitment and dedication associated with Ironman racing. Sean Stringer (USA) completed his first Ironman triathlon right here in Busselton in 2007. He loved it so much that he decided to get serious about his training, and he has spent 2009 attempting to complete more Ironman triathlons in one calendar year than any other individual. He is right on track and, remarkably, this Saturday will see him complete his 20th Ironman since February.

One of the great characters around this year’s Ironman village is Dave Orlowski (USA). Orlowski is a pioneer of the sport of Ironman triathlon, as he was one of the original group of 15 individuals who took on the seemingly crazy challenge in Honolulu in 1978. After finishing third, he took a thirty year break from the sport before embarking on his current mission to complete every Ironman event around the world over the next four years, culminating with the 35th anniversary event at Kona, Hawaii.

This Saturday’s race commences alongside the Busselton Jetty at 6 AM, concluding at 11 PM in Barnard Park in the center of Busselton.

We’ll have coverage of Ironman Western Australia throughout the week here on Ironman.com.

Professional Men

1 Tim Berkel

2 Jason Shortis

3 Patrick Vernay

4 Jimmy Johnsen

5 Courtney Ogden

6 Petr Vabrousek

7 Timothy Marr

9 Chris Dmitrieff

10 Josh Rix

11 Adam Holborow

12 Matt Stephens

13 Nathan Stewart

14 Lawrence Van Lingen

15 Chris Waterhouse

16 Ollie Whistler

17 Matty White

18 Luke Whitmore

19 Kaon Cho

20 Karol Dzalaj

21 Scott Neyedli

22 Alberto Perassi

23 Andreco Primero

Professional Women

31 Gina Crawford

32 Charlotte Paul

33 Kat Baker

34 Sarah Pollett

35 Nicole Ward

36 Lisbeth Kristensen

37 Ali Fitch

40 Celia Kuch

41 Kate Bevilaqua

43 Rebecca Eveleigh

44 Jodie Scott

45 Christie Sym