Posted: April 5, 2006

Triathlon: International Women’s field to contest Ford Ironman Arizona

The women’s pro field at the 2006 Ford Ironman Arizona will include several international stars as well as Ironman favorites from the United States. Australian Michellie Jones, Bella Comerford from Scotland and Germany’s Ute Mueckel form the international component with Ironman standout Heather Gollnick ranked as the top American in the field.

Jones has an impressive resume with career wins at both the Olympic and Ironman distances. Now 34 years-old, Jones was the silver medallist in triathlon at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia and was twice the World Champion at that distance.

Since moving to the Ironman distance, Jones has one win at the 2004 Ford Ironman Florida and an impressive 2nd place finish at the 2005 Ford Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. Jones placed first at Ford Ironman 70.3 California on March 2006.

Gollnick comes to Ford Ironman Arizona looking for her 4th Ironman title. The Wisconsin native posted back-to-back wins at Ford Ironman Wisconsin in 2002 and 2003 and claimed her third title at Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene also in 2003. The 36 year-old resident of Florida was the top American finisher at the 2005 Ford Ironman World Championship.

Comerford is a two-time Ironman champion with first place finishes at Ford Ironman Florida in both 2002 and 2003. Currently residing in Boulder, CO, Comerford is known as a strong runner with the capability of chasing down competitors during the run portion of the event.

Mueckel raced at the inaugural Ford Ironman Arizona, finishing in third place. The two-time Ironman champion has remained in the elite ranks of Ironman competitors over the last ten years with her first title coming in 1997 and her most recent at the 2005 Ford Ironman Wisconsin. Muekel is strong in the bike portion of the race, in keeping with the tradition of her fellow German Ironman athletes.

American Desiree Ficker finished in second place at the 2005 Ford Ironman Arizona and while she is still looking for her first Ironman title, this 26-year-old has raced to a number of top five Ironman finishes.

Ford Ironman Arizona will take place for the 2nd time in Tempe, Arizona on Sunday April 9th. Athletes will be competing for 80 qualifying spots to the 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii as well as a $75,000. pro prize purse.

For more information, log onto www.ironmanarizona.com.

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