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It’s that time of year again – the 29th running of the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii on Saturday and historically Canadians have done very well in this grueling race which covers a 4km swim, 180km bike and a 42km run.
Dating back to 1978 Canadian triathletes have won 8 gold medals, 14 silver medals and 2 bronze medals. Of the 24 total – Peter Reid, Lori Bowden and Sylviane Puntous have won 7 medals each. However, with Peter Reid retiring earlier this Spring Canada’s chances for a medal in the Men’s division have been substantially reduced.
Canada’s best chance for a podium performance will come from one of three women. Canada’s fleet footed Lisa Bentley found herself uncharacteristically unable to close down a gap on the run at Ironman Canada, where she finished second to Australian Belinda Granger. But Bentley’s fourth in 2004 and fifth in 2003 show she knows how to shine in Hawaii – and she’s eager to overcome a DNF caused by a ruptured appendix in last year’s race. Bentley has focused all of her energies on Saturday’s race and will be a definite factor as she looks for her first podium in this prestigious race. Also from Canada, past World Champions Heather Fuhr (1997) and Lori Bowden (1999) will be serious threats for a second gold medal if they’re near the front off the bike.
The top 3 Canadian women will all be fighting 6-timeWorld Champion Natascha Badmann from Switzerland. The Swiss star’s season so far has equaled past years when she’s triumphed in Hawaii: a win at the early season Ironman South Africa, a second place finish at Wildflower just weeks later followed by a first place at Eagleman 70.3 and Buffalo Springs Lake. Badmann, 39-years-old, is the 2-time defending champion having won 6 of the last 8 years – the only years she didn’t win were in 1999 & 2003 when Canadian Lori Bowden took the honours.
Other Contenders on the Women’s side include 2-time Olympic Distance World Champion Michellie Jones. Jones, from Australia, had a memorable battle with Badmann in her Kona debut last year only to finish second. Jones’ strong effort raised eyebrows and expectations for the short-course star’s potential at future Ironman World Championships. This year’s women’s race is wide open – can Jones ruin Badmann’s bid for a third straight title and 7th overall. Or will one of the younger long distance stars knocking on the door in recent years – Kate Major (third in 2004 & 2005) – finally break through.
The Men’s race offers up just as many questions: Can noted runners like Cameron Brown and Tim Deboom come through on 42km run if German powerhouses like Normann Stadler and Faris Al-Sultan open up big gaps on the bike? Sultan won the race in 2005 and was third in 2004. Brown, from New Zealand, was the runner-up in 2005 while Stadler was the winner in 2004. Deboom (USA) hasn’t had success in Kona since he won the race in 2001 & 2002. With Reid out of the picture it seems one of Sultan, Stadler, Brown or Deboom will be this year’s winner.
Triathlon Canada is the National Federation for the Sport of Triathlon and Duathlon in Canada.
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