Triathlon: Australia's Luke Bell and Michellie Jones joins Ralphs California Half Ironman field

OCEANSIDE, Calif.-Luke Bell of Australia, who finished fifth at the 2003 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, will compete in the 2004 Ralphs California Half Ironman to take place on Saturday, May 3 in Oceanside and on nearby Camp Pendleton.

Bell posted an overall time of eight hours, 34 minutes and 38 seconds to place fifth at the Ironman World Championship, which was celebrating its’ 25th anniversary in 2003.

The 24-year-old Bell also finished third at the 2003 Ironman Australia event and was sixth at the same event in 2002.

Two other competitors should also be in the mix at the Oceanside event. Peter Clode (New Zealand) and Jan Strangmuller (Czech Republic).

Clode finished third at the 2002 Ralphs California Half Ironman event, while Strangmuller finished fifth at the full-distance Ironman California event (also held in Oceanside and on Camp Pendleton) back in 2001 and won the first Ironman event of his career in 2003 by claiming the Ironman Korea title.

The Ralphs California Half Ironman triathlon takes place for the third time in Oceanside and on neighboring Camp Pendleton in 2004. More than 2,000 athletes from around the world are expected to compete. Athletes will be competing for 20 qualifying spots to the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, as well as a $25,000 pro prize purse.

Olympic silver medallist Jones to race at Ralphs California Half Ironman

OCEANSIDE, Calif.-Olympic silver medallist Michellie Jones (Australia) will compete in the 2004 Ralphs California Half Ironman on Saturday, April 3 in Oceanside and on neighboring Camp Pendleton.

The 34-year-old Jones is a two-time ITU World Champion, having won the event in 1992 and in 1993 and has won 10 ITU World Cup events in her long and illustrious career and joins a field that features defending champion Heather Fuhr (Canada) and two-time Ironman Wisconsin champion Heather Gollnick (Hartford, Wisc.)

The Ralphs California Half Ironman triathlon takes place for the third time in Oceanside and on neighboring Camp Pendleton in 2004. More than 2,000 athletes from around the world are expected to compete. Athletes will be competing for 20 qualifying spots to the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, as well as a $25,000 pro prize purse.

For more information on the Ralphs California Half Ironman, log onto www.ironmancalifornia.com.