Posted: November 24, 2004

Triathlon: Ballance arrives in Busselton for dodo Ironman Western Australia

2002 Ironman New Zealand champion and four-times runner-up, Karyn Ballance has arrived in Busselton for the inaugural Ironman Western Australia triathlon to be held on Sunday November 28, 2004.

New Zealand’s Ballance, who is married to Scott, the 1994 Ironman NZ men’s winner, took her first Ironman title at the Taupo event in 2002 after three consecutive second place finishes in 1999, 2000 and 2001. A consistent performer over the Ironman distance, Ballance would again finish second in 2003 before illness hampered her 2004 race.

Training last month on the Gold Coast to escape New Zealand’s winter, Ballance is in good early season form to prepare for the challenges she will face from the talented women’s field that has been assembled in Busselton. Leading the challengers is Jess Draskau Peterson of Great Brittain, the third place finisher at Ironman Austria in July, whose run leg is possibly the best in the women’s field with a sub three-hour marathon to her credit.

Rebekah Keat, the Busselton Half Ironman winner and undefeated over the half Ironman distance is making her long awaited debut at Ironman. Her strength over all three disciplines makes Keat an exciting proposition.

“I loved the half Ironman at Busselton and I am excited about competing at the Ironman in my home country,” said Keat.

Not expecting to win the event at her first attempt, Keat is looking to use the race as part of a learning curve as she begins her Ironman career.

“You can never be too confident but if everything runs perfectly on the day then you never know.”

With 875 athletes registered to start the inaugural Ironman Western Australia triathlon, the local community of Busselton and the surrounding area is gearing up to welcome the competitors and showcase their seaside resort town. With just five days to go all the finishing touches are being completed at Barnard Park, the new home of Ironman in Australia.