Triathlon: The Show Down gets bigger...Forster-Tuncurry, April 4, 2004

On April 4, 2004 in Forster-Tuncurry, the stage will be set for one of the biggest re-matches in Ironman history at the Snap Ironman Australia triathlon. Chris McCormack and Lothar Leder are once again pitted against one another in their first outing since that memorable race in Roth, Germany last July where just three seconds separated the two super stars.

However, the two big names of Ironman racing won't have it all their own way with a stellar field set to be assembled in the coastal town of Forster, the home of the Snap Ironman Australia. Joining McCormack and Leder will be last year's second place finisher Jason Shortis of the Gold Coast, Queensland. The strongly built athlete who's run leg has become one of the fastest in the sport, returns to Forster for an eleventh time in an attempt to conquer the race he so desperately wants to win.

"Ironman Australia means a lot to me and I have continually come back here in an attempt to win this race. The crowd, the place, the atmosphere of Forster lures us all back and to walk down the finish line in first place would be the ultimate," says Shortis who finished second at Ironman Malaysia yesterday.

Along with Shortis, Chris Legh, another Australian who has finished second at Ironman Australia, will attempt to break McCormack's two-year strangle hold on the event. Finishing second to Ironman star Peter Reid on two occasions (1998 and 1999), Legh hopes his health problems of the past two years can be put behind him as he prepares for the challenge ahead. Winning the Sri Chinmoy event in Canberra yesterday by 25 minutes has given him confidence as he heads into the last phase of his training.

"Yesterday's race was a nice hit out before I really start building up the training volume. I am heading to Taupo on Tuesday for a training camp, but it's not with a group - I will be alone. I am going there to put some big miles in and prepare myself mentally for the challenge. Training alone will give me an edge when it starts to get hard during race day," said Legh from the Canberra airport.

Rounding out the top 5 seeds will be South Australia's Matt Stephens who placed fifth in last year's race. Finishing in the top 3 in many of the Half Ironman events that make up the Road to Ironman Australia Qualifying Series, Stephens' running ability always gives him the opportunity to secure a podium finish.

With just 5 weeks remaining until the 19th running of the Snap Ironman Australia the scene has been set for what will be a memorable race.

The professional men's field:

No Name From Age 
1 MCCORMACK Chris (2) Cronulla NSW 31 
2 SHORTIS Jason (10) Burleigh Waters QLD 33 
3 LEDER Lothar GERMANY 33 
4 LEGH Christopher (4) Donvale VIC 31 
5 STEPHENS Matt (3) Seaton SA 33 
6 WHITE Matt (1) Happy Valley SA 26 
7 MACFADYEN Garrett (3) CANADA 37 
8 FOSTER Sean (4) Melbourne VIC 33 
9 MEADE David (5) Bendigo VIC 33 
10 WIDMANN Uwe GERMANY 33 
11 SAUNDERS Nick (1) SOUTH AFRICA 30 
12 GOSSELINK Guido (1) NETHERLANDS 33 
13 HARTIG Steffen GERMANY 41 
14 GRANGER Justin (6) Waverley NSW 32 
15 WHITE Bradley (3) Cronulla NSW 30 
16 CUTJAR Kevin (3) CANADA 38 
17 FRANKEN Darren (3) Ocean Grove VIC 35 
18 VAN WISSE John (3)  Brighton VIC 31 
19 BEECH Jeff  CANADA 33 
20 JACOBS Pete (2) Terrey Hills NSW 22 
21 MAINARD Gael  FRANCE 28 
22 JOHNSON Ryan Marryatville SA 23 
23 JOHNSON Shane Erindale SA 34 
24 MALHERBE Kane Hampton VIC 23 
25 DORNAUS David  USA 29 
26 MAHER Maurice (2) CANADA  31 
27 URWIN Brett (4) Dingley VIC 34 
28 LEACH Bevan (3) Clovelly NSW 28 
29 BIRCH Leigh (1)  Lapstone NSW 30