An Ironman Melbourne preview
The 2012 Ironman Melbourne is only days away and has attracted quite an impressive field. Pete Jacobs is still on the official start list but he announced a few weeks back that he won't be at the start, and the same us also true for Leanda Cave. But here are some of the folks to watch at this Asia-Pacific Championship race on Sunday and clearly there are a few other names we could have mentioned here.
The men
Craig Alexander (AUS)
3-time Ironman World Champion Craig Alexander is one of the favorites in Melbourne and the fast Aussie would love to grab his very first Ironman title at home. Alexander though might have a tough time having as magical of a season as he had in 2011, but a win this coming weekend would certainly start 2012 on a sweet note.
Luke McKenzie (AUS)
With so many eyes on fellow Aussie Alexander, Luke McKenzie would love to show that he is for real too. While it would appear that his 9th place in Hawaii might have found him well, McKenzie surely has much loftier goals and another Ironman title, especially one in Australia, would go a long way to make this man happy.
Eneko Llanos (ESP)
Eneko Llanos recently finished 3rd in Abu Dhabi and this Spaniard with his sub 8 hour winning time at Ironman Arizona in 2011 is always dangerous. Llanos appears to have a much lighter schedule this year and we expect him to be on the podium in Melbourne and in various other places he starts this year.
Frederik Van Lierde (BEL)
The 2011 Ironman France and Abu Dhabi Triathlon champion is looking extremely fit and would not mind bringing that Ironman Melbourne title back to Belgium. Until last year he kind of flew under the radar, but that is no longer the case. He is soft spoken, but tough as nails.
Greg Bennett (USA)
Many eyes will be on Greg Bennett to see how this ITU star will fare at the Ironman distance. Although he now is a citizen of the United States, he would love to show up some of the long course experts in the land he previously called home. But with his eyes on Kona, all he has to do is finish.
Clayton Fettell (AUS)
"Swim and bike as hard as you can and let us see what is left at the end" is the racing style of this confident Aussie. He will most likely be first out of the water, and quite possibly first off the bike, and a win at the end of the run is certainly in the cards too.
Cameron Brown (NZL)
Cameron Brown had planned to win his 11th Ironman New Zealand title a few weeks back, but a weather-shortened event turned it into a 70.3 and threw a wrench into his plans. Good thing is that he should not be too tired from that day's effort and a win in Melbourne would let him forget what could have been in Taupo. But that will not be easy.
The women
Mirinda Carfrae (AUS)
For 2010 Ironman Hawaii Champion Mirinda Carfrae, this Melbourne race is the start of her 2012 campaign. We are not sure what shape she is in, but the petite Aussie is expected to do well, and not surprisingly so.
Caroline Steffen (SUI)
This tall Swiss Pro finished 3rd in Abu Dhabi in early March and grabbed 5th in Kona in 2011, but rest assured that all the competitors here will be worried about her. How much of an advantage can she get over Carfrae after the bike, and more importantly, how much will she actually need?
Rachel Joyce (GBR)
Rachel Joyce won her first Ironman title in Lanzarote in 2011, finished 4th in Kona and earned the ITU Long Distance World Championship title to close out the year. Like Steffen she started her 2012 season in Abu Dhabi, but we think she wasn't happy with her effort there and is looking to step up in Melbourne.
Carrie Lester (AUS)
This Aussie Pro is maybe not on everybody's list, but maybe ought to be. Lester is the 2010 Australian Ironman Champion and earned 3rd place at Ironman Western Australia in 2011. She also took the win at Port Macquarie 70.3.
Gina Crawford (NZL)
Gina Crawford had a baby in 2011 and took the title at Challenge Wanaka in late January. The competition here though will be quite a bit tougher, but Crawford had a few more months to get fit and ready. And just as with Cam Brown, her start at Taupo on March 3rd should not have sapped her energy.
The official Pro start list is here.
