Posted: February 15, 2005

Triathlon: Snap Ironman Australia News

McCormack to wear Asics at Snap Ironman Australia Triathlon

Three-time Snap Ironman Australia Triathlon champion, Chris McCormack, will return to Forster on April 3 in an attempt to equal Finnish champion Pauli Kiuru’s record of four-straight victories.

In a multi-year agreement, McCormack recently signed with Snap Ironman Australia sponsor Asics, stating that he was thrilled to be working with the world’s premier athletic shoe company.

"Asics have always been my shoe of choice. As a younger runner I was always purchasing Asics shoes, as they are unarguably the best running shoe on the market. To finally be working with this company on a professional level and to be able to race and train in their product is a dream come true for me. I have always been a big supporter of the Asics brand and am ecstatic to be working with them over the next couple of years.”

Asics have been a big supporter of the Snap Ironman Australia Triathlon and the partnership with McCormack cements their commitment to long-course racing. McCormack will race his first Ironman wearing Asics shoes in Forster, and then move on to Hawaii later in the year where a change in footwear might just be the thing that ‘Macca’ needs to finally achieve his desired performance at the Ironman World Championship.

McCormack will also be racing for Snap Printing, the major sponsor of the 2005 Snap Ironman Australia Triathlon at this year’s event.

Former World Champion Lori Bowden returns to Forster

2003 Ironman Triathlon World Champion Lori Bowden is set to return to Forster, NSW for the Snap Ironman Australia Triathlon. Bowden, a three-time winner of the Australian event, is attempting to join Australia’s Louise Bonham as a four-time champion.

Bowden, who also recently signed with Asics, will be looking for a return to the winner’s circle after a difficult 2004 which saw her finish 12th at the Hawaii Ironman last October. This was the first time in a number of years that the two-time world champion had placed outside of the top 10 in Kona.

Ironman New Zealand’s loss is Australia’s gain

Australia’s favourite Ironman son is set to return to Forster for his 11th shot at the Snap Ironman Australia title. Jason Shortis, who was to forego the Forster race to challenge New Zealand champion Cameron Brown in Taupo on March 5, has decided to race Ironman Australia after illness cut short his training build up.

Shortis finished third at last year’s Forster race behind three-time champion Chris McCormack and Chris Legh, but hopes a confidence-building win at Ironman Western Australia last November will see him challenge McCormack’s shot at a fourth title.

Lawn to double up at Forster

Dual Ironman New Zealand champion and sixth place finisher at last year’s Hawaii Ironman, Jo Lawn, has confirmed she will start at the Snap Ironman Australia Triathlon on April 3, 2005. But first she has to take care of business at Ironman New Zealand in Taupo by defending her dual title.

Lawn is attempting to combine two Ironman events within a month of each other and become the first person to take victory at both races. The former Commonwealth Games cyclist has become a more balanced athlete in recent years with improved performance in the swim and run legs of the event.

Lawn has just signed a lucrative deal with new Ironman team Tri-Dubai, a team that contains 10 Ironman champions including Australians Kate Major and Chris Legh.

The Snap Ironman Australia website is at: www.ironmanoz.com.