NewsPro Field Strong in Busselton
Karen Doane reports on the competitive pro field set to race Ironman Western Australia
Published Friday, December 1, 2006
A group of 47 professionals will vie for one of four Ford Ironman World Championship slots this Sunday and the competition talk is tough days before the race.
Back as defending men's champion is Mitch Anderson from Australia. A full-time medical student, as well as professional triathlete, Anderson is busy 24/7 but he is optimistic of his chances this year despite a disappointing finish in Hawaii six weeks ago.
“I love racing in Busselton, its like coming home for me,” continued Anderson. “The bay is great and the bike and run course are fast – I just love it here.”
But Mitch has another former champion ready to cross the line first. Jason Shortis, the 2004 champion and Ironman Australia Hall of Fame inductee, was unable to compete last year due to illness but appears fit, ready and confident about his chances here this year.
“I love racing Ironman – the entire process of getting to the race start is just great,” smiled Shortis. “I’ve had success here in the past and I look forward to racing, especially against my mates but I don’t focus on them at all. The only thing I can control is me. That’s where my head will be at on race day.”
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Another Aussie contender is Luke Bell who is coming off a seventh place finish in Hawaii just six weeks ago and second in Brazil in May.
“I am glad to be here and see how I go,” said Bell. “I’ve not done three Ironmans in a year and Hawaii is always my focus but I look forward to seeing how I go here. You just pray you have a good day race morning and go from there.”
Other top professional men to watch are Petr Vabrousek (CZ), Andrew Johns (GBR) and Chris MacDonald (AUST).
For the women, returning champion Angela Milne was all smiles at the press conference. After being diagnosed with glandular fever in August, Milne has been given a clean bill of health and is anxious to get on the race course.
“I don’t feel much pressure to win again,” said Milne. “Well, except from my two-year-old daughter, Bianca. She ran across the finish line with me last year and has been saying I must win so she can do it again. I tried to distract her by taking her to the Wiggles concert last night so I think the pressure if off a bit. Honestly, I just love this race and I’m focusing on my own race and feel my training has me ready for Sunday.”
But Denmark’s Lisbeth Kristensen looks to make this year’s Soul Ironman WA her second Ironman victory in 2006. After winning Ironman Brazil in May, Kristensen lead the race in Hawaii until early in the run, ending up 11th overall.
“For me the bike is the key so if the conditions are windy that is fine,” said Kristensen. “I just hope for a clean race and I’m happy that we have a 15 minute head start of the age groupers for this.”
Back from a three-year hiatus is Australia’s Jo King. An impressive resume of top five finishes at Ironman Arizona, Japan and Germany in 2003, like Milne, King’s health dictated some time off to recuperate. A fit mind and body in 2006 have seen King’s athlete prowess return and her desire for a top Ironman finish is within her sights.
“I did an eight-day, 1,000km mountain bike race in South Africa in April and thought, ‘Ironman is easy compared to this!” smiled King. “I started training in August and feel good about it but I have no expectations. It just depends on the day but it should be good.”
Another top woman to watch is Charlotte Paul. A second at last year’s Ironman Western Australia, and picked by Paula Newby Fraser as a “star of the future”, Paul has returned to Australia after several months of training in Boulder, Colorado.
All the talk will fall away as the starting canon begins this year’s Soul Ironman Western Australia at 6am on Sunday morning. Look to www.ironman.com for live coverage on the day.
