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SWITZERLAND, Lausanne:
In only seven days time, on September 2nd and 3rd, the Olympic City of Lausanne, Switzerland will play host to the 2006 ITU World Triathlon Championships. Close to 3,500 athletes from over fifty countries will gather on the shores of Lake Geneva with many different ages and skill levels showcasing their abilities and passion for the sport of triathlon.
The World Championships are not just the two days mentioned above, but rather a week long festival dedicated to the sport of triathlon and its participants. The championships officially kick off this Saturday, August 26, with the ITU University, Firefighters and Police Triathlon World Championships with competitors representing their country at the Olympic distance triathlon in each of these categories.
On the Wednesday night, August 30th, is the 2006 ITU Aquathlon World Championships, with many of the top elite athletes taking the chance to compete in the 2.5kilometre run followed by a 1,000 metre swim followed by a 2.5kilometre run to hone their skills for the weekend’s competition.
The Thursday evening showcases the age group athletes and many of the elite athletes gathering together under their country’s flag to take part in the opening ceremonies and the grand pasta party in the centre of Lausanne, surrounded by historic monuments including the Olympic Museum and the Chateau d'Ouchy.
Saturday, September 2nd is when the action begins as the world’s top Junior athletes compete in the 750 metre swim, 20 kilometre bike and 5 kilometre run sprint race for the Junior World Champion title. Both of last year’s champions, American Steven Duplinsky and Portugal’s Anais Moniz will be racing to try and regain their titles and a piece of triathlon history. Kiwi Terenzo Bozzone is the only Junior ever to repeat at the world championships.
After the Junior races will be the age group event with over 2,000 competitors competing in their five year age groups, starting from 20-24 and ending at over 85 years of age. Many of the great elite triathletes of today have come from the age group ranks, including New Zealander Samantha Warriner and ? For many age group athletes it is the pinnacle of their triathlon season or even their career to make it to the world championships and represent their country. Many use the world championships to judge their progress from year to year and many use the race to meet old friends or make new ones.
Sunday is the day for the Elites and Under23’s to take centre stage. Both of last year’s Under23 champions, American Jarrod Shoemaker and Kiwi Andrea Hewitt, have since moved up to the Elite ranks leaving the door wide open for two new champions. Many young talents have shown their potential during the season and it is anyone’s guess to who will take home the gold on Sunday.
At the climax of the world championship week is the Elite races. Everyone has been waiting all year for the face-off between the two seemingly untouchable women Vanessa Fernandes from Portugal and Emma Snowsill from Australia. Fernandes has gone undefeated in 2006, bringing home four BG Triathlon World Cup titles, making it a consecutive ten world cup wins in a row, and the European Under23 and Elite titles. Snowsill has also not lost in 2006 with a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, three world cup wins and a slough of other first place finishes. This battle will surely be one to remember as the two women have not raced each other in an ITU event since the 2005 world championships in Gamagori, Japan, where Snowsill was the victor with her second world championship win.
In the men’s race it will be a toss up between a number of strong athletes. Will Aussie Peter “Robbo” Robertson make it number four? Will his team mate Brad Kahlefeldt top off a dream season after winning Commonwealth gold, Aussie Champs and four world cups? Will a European take home the gold for the first time since 2002? All these questions will be answered in only one week's time.
Full start lists are available on Triathlon.org.
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