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The UK’s World Ironman Champion, Chrissie Wellington will headline one of the best women’s fields seen in recent years at the 2008 Panthers Ironman Australia Triathlon in Port Macquarie on April 6. Wellington will head into the event as race favourite but will face a formidable Australian pair in defending champion Rebekah Keat and Kate Major.
Wellington’s rapid rise to stardom in 2007 was a surprise to everyone, including Wellington.
“I was hoping for a top ten finish in Kona but felt strong all day,” said Wellington
Only Belgium’s Luc Van Lierde can boast winning the Ironman World Championships on debut and Chrissie Wellington added her name to that in 2007. She claimed the scalps of Ironman’s best women with considerably more experience.
“Last year I was totally invisible and could go into races safe in the knowledge that nobody knew who I was. This year will be a whole different kettle of fish, I have so many great new opportunities, but these come with challenges too,” said Wellington.
Last year, Rebekah Keat broke a 14-year drought for Australian women title holders winning the 2007 Panthers Ironman Australia Triathlon. Internationals had dominated the event since 1993.
Keat’s stunning come from behind victory last year ended a two year hiatus from the sport and after crossing the line her emotions were laid bare as she sobbed.
Her good form continued in 2007, finishing 6th in her first attempt at the Ironman World Championships.
“At Port last year all I was aiming for was to qualify for Hawaii but a dream was realised, then to come 6th in my first race in Kona was such a thrill,” said Keat.
“I’m looking forward to defending my title, I know the course at Port and that’s some advantage I have,” said Keat.
Another Australian who has made a name for herself in Ironman is Kate Major, returning after a three year break from racing at Ironman Australia where she finished 2nd in 2003 and 3rd in 2004.
The former squash player turned triathlete left Australian shores in 2004 to live and train in San Diego, California to hone her skills.
Since then she has carved out an impressive resume in Ironman but seems to fly under the radar when the topic turns to race favourites, and that’s the way she likes it.
Along with husband Jeff, Major returns to Australia each December for a much needed dose of family and friends.
Major owns two Ironman titles earned at Arizona and Lake Placid in the US, she has twice finished 3rd at the Ironman World Championships and has dominated in the 70.3 series.
In the lead up to Ironman Australia Major placed third at the Ironman 70.3 Geelong race, although not entirely happy with her performance it is all a stepping stone towards April 6.
Other to watch are Sydney’s Lisa Marangon, former winner of the Busselton Half Ironman and WA’s Joanne Bennett recently finishing 7th at Ironman NZ.
Joining these elite athletes will be 1500 age group competitors.
The 2007 Panthers Ironman Australia Triathlon is a qualifier for the Ironman Triathlon World Championship held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The race will take place at Westport Park, Port Macquarie starting at 7.00am with the final competitor attempting to cross the finish line before midnight, the official Ironman triathlon cut-off time.
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