Posted: November 24, 2004

Triathlon: Star-studded field arrives in Busselton

With just four days until the starter’s gun begins the inaugural dodo Ironman Western Australia triathlon held over a 3.8km swim, 180km ride and a 42.2km run, the elite athletes have arrived in town ready to challenge for the $US50,000 prize purse on offer. The men’s winner of Ironman’s newest event will pocket $US8,500 for the day’s effort that will see the winner complete the course in around 8 hours and 30 minutes. The women’s champion is expected to finish in 9 hours and 30 minutes.

The race begins at 6:00am at the Busselton Jetty with the last competitor to complete the course at the 17-hour cut-off at 11:00pm. 50 qualifying spots are up for grabs for the Ironman Triathlon World Championships held in Kailua, Kona Hawaii in October 2005.

The following athletes are expected to challenge for the inaugural Ironman Western Australia crown.

Name: Jason Shortis (AUS)
Age: 34
Best Result: 2002 Ironman Florida – 1st place
Australia’s most experienced Ironman athlete, Shortis has set himself to win at the Ironman for the first time on home soil. Watch for his blistering run.

Name: Petr Vabrousek (CZECH)
Age: 31
Best Result: Ironman South Africa – 1st place
Having often raced up to four and five Ironman events in one year, Vabrousek is a solid performer in all distances and is sure to challenge for the win.

Name: Matt Stephens (AUS)
Age: 33
Best Result: Ironman Korea 2002 – 2nd place
Bursting onto the scene in 2000 with a third place finish at Ironman Australia, Stephens has been a consistent performer over the past few years. His second place in Korea is his best result thus far.

Name: Karyn Balance (NZ)
Age: 32
Best Result: 2002 Ironman NZ – 1st place
A talented runner, Ballance has been one of New Zealand’s most decorated Ironman athletes with dual wins at her home country’s Ironman event.

Name: Rebekah Keat (AUS)
Age: 26
Best Result: Cairns Half Ironman 2003 – 1st place
New to Ironman racing, the half Ironman specialist is about to step up to the full distance for the first time. Solid in all three disciplines, Keat’s performance will be worth noting.

Name: Lisbeth Kristensen (DEN)
Age: 32
Best Result: World Long Course Championships 2001 -1st place
With a World Championship under her belt Kristensen has the talent to challenge for the win in Busselton.

The race website is at: www.ironmanwa.com.