Abu Dhabi Triathlon Thursday
The inaugural Abu Dhabi Triathlon is now only 2 days away and about 800 athletes have registered for the two distances offered. The Pro field assembled here is quite incredible and many of the editors here call it quite possibly the best field outside the Ford Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. Today we went to the morning swim, attended the press conference and mingled with various athletes at the Park Rotana race hotel.
Related gallery
Abu Dhabi Triathlon images – Friday
The Abu Dhabi experience – images from the race launch in November
All images are © Herbert Krabel / slowtwitch.com
Leanda Cave is ready to test out the Abu Dhabi Triathlon swim course.
Gatorade is one of the sponsors and there is indeed a Gatorade tent at the swim start with the Emirates Palace Hotel in the foggy morning background.
Quite a few swimmers were on the course this morning and a lot of the locals were finally able to swim on this private hotel beach.
Jordan Rapp just finished his morning swim and is now ready for some breakfast – bacon?
Gatorade in Abu Dhabi tastes the same.
After her swim, Samantha McGlone spoke very fondly of the water here.
A fleet of Team Abu Dhabi Storck race bikes in front of the Park Rotana hotel.
Yes, people in Abu Dhabi also check the start list.
Bjorn Andersson looks very fit and is certainly someone to look out for here.
New Trek / K-Swiss athlete Heather Jackson is ready for action
The official bike shop of the Abu Dhabi Triathlon is Wolfi's Bike Shop. Owner Wolfi is hard at work on a competitor's bike
Don Ryder guided the press conference and on stage were pros Faris Al Sultan, Bjorn Andersson, Julie Dibens, Philip Graves, Virginia Berasategui, Raynard Tissink, Yvonne Van Vlerken and Faisal Al Sheikh (Head Major Events of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority)
Faisal Al Sheik listens intently as a question is posed by one of many journalists in attendance.
After the press conference the group posed for pictures outside.
Aussi Pro Joe Gambles appears to be in very good shape this early in the year.
Another one of the favorites here has to be Rutger Beke. He looked very calm and relaxed.
The Specialized Shiv of Brit wonder Philip Graves.
This is the drivetrain of Philip Graves. How fast will he go with it is still the question.
Many people seem to think that Rasmus Henning is the favorite to win this event.
This ain't Lava Java, but inside the Ginger Restaurant of the Park Rotana Hotel you are bound to run into various pros. Here we stumbled upon Hillary Biscay and Maik Twelsiek.
