There are plenty of newbies racing here which is a really good sign, but also many "repeat offenders" going around again which should be the ones chasing the podiums and slots.
The signing of another 5 years shows healthy signs for Ironman Australia, however has me wondering with the lack of points & prize money available to Pro's, what sort of race will this be in years to come.
With only 4 female pro's yet again and 11 males on the start list, which I doubt all will race anyway, there is just not enough value for the Pro's who race here when the week after Busso 70.3 has more $$$ and more Kona points available. Just doesn't make sense to me. Having such a Iconic event getting shafted by the organisers is almost unjust.
Any rant over.....Onto the real stuff.
Now, as I said above, with so many newbies racing, there are not that familiar names that I recognise in the start list. This will be good as apart from the odd stand out, I believe the fields will be rather competitive and the times a fair bit slower than last year. Then again, I could be wrong.
Male 18 - 24:
Ashleigh McDougall 3rd 2012 should deliver this year with absence of Matthew Burton.
Luke Beauchamp should be right up there also.
Female 18 - 24:
A small field which I am going for Laura Harris.
Male 25 - 29:
Josh Strahorn did 10.22 last year so should push for top position here, it won't be all his own way with a good sized field and plenty hungry to get to Kona.
Female 25 - 29:
Michelle Duffield by a long way here, a good pedigree and that family always goes well.
Male 30 - 34:
Brad Manczak, the BIG man got to Kona last year and is in the EnduranceTeam.net camp. Jarrod always gets his athletes peaking on the right day.
Ben Squiz will lead out of the water, but how long will that lead last for before Scott Hobson takes control on the bike and leads into T2... But how fast does he need to run to capture the "W"??
Smokey: Jarrod Draper, under the careful guidance of David Meade, he could surprise a few in his first start.. No pressure though!
Female 30 - 34:
Kacey Willoughby has turned old ;) and after already securing her Kona spot at Busso, will head into this race relaxed. I still think those "old" legs will get the chocolates here.
Meredith Hill should podium again.
Cassandra Percival should be pushing the above two for a good portion of the race also.
Male 35 - 35:
Corey Chapman and Marc Rawlings should be the front runners for most of the day in this age group, however with a quality field and the VICARY brothers going to War, anything could happen.
Phillip Townsend, Zane Hopper & Kane Towns should be in contention, however the TEAM PIS mind games might hinder a few in the next few days.
Paul O'Brien should lead out of the water here and be in the front pack on the bike. Just unsure how many k's he has in his legs to round out the day.
Female 35 - 39:
Erika Ellis age groups up and is my pick to take the flowers home to mum. With a 10.13 last year, the other girls should get used to the sight of her behind!
Alison Ferry who finished 3rd last year should be around the mark again and along with Katie Dukes & Tarryn Whitmore.
Male 40 - 44:
This is the age group the I believe will have the fastest age grouper for the day in the men's. Like Matty Lewis did in New Zealand and Olaf Kasten did in Melbourne, there is still hope for us young guys getting faster with age..
It is also a red hot field with many guns lining up for the title. I am leaning towards David Meade, saw him first hand at Shepparton last year run the pants off many include myself. The guy is tough as nails and can swim/bike and run the house down.
Others to consider:
Matt Koorey - Just knows how to get the job done.
Dieter McDonald - Firstly I didn't realise he was this old!! He is also form EnduranceTeam.net and has been to the big island a few times.
Marcus Smith - 2nd here last year and is ultra consistent.
Bruse Theile - the pressure is on him as his wife has already got a Kona slot and so has Kacey Willoughby (he coaches her) so will be competing along side them at Kona or carrying the bags??
Brian Price will also be around the mark.
Female 40 - 44:
Leanne Southwell is returning as Champion and will salute the chequered flag again first.
Terry Anne Box who finished 3rd will be hoping to get closer but as Southwell swims 50 odd minutes, she will always be a long way ahead.
This is definitely Southwell's to lose.
Male 45 - 49:
This looks to be a very open field.
Andrew Mildren will give the front runners a big start out of the water again, but how much is too much that he cannot chase down??
Paul Muherin will be around the mark also.
Also a shout out to fellow Western Suburbs Triathlon Club Member Louis Lopex who is competing in his 25th Ironman Australia, hope you have a great day mate.
Female 45 - 49:
Angela Clarke to make it back to back wins....
Male 50 - 54:
In this age group there are 4 out of the top 5 returning from last year so will be another cracking age group to follow.
Stephen Bingham will be looking to be champion again, however Bevan Earnst will be trying to find the 45 sec he lost by last year.
Terry Roberts & Grant Thomas will be looking for revenge and hoping to dish it up to the above two.
Female 50 - 54:
The only one that appeals to me is Janet McAfee who finished 3rd in 2012.
Male 55 - 59:
John Hill here. He is one guy that I enjoy seeing on the start list as it make my tips a little easier in this age group.
Female 55 - 59:
Judith Golledge will be looking to go one better than in 2012 and should greet the line as the victor.
Male 60 - 64:
Ron Wilson to defend his crown and win this by a long way.
Robert Howitt and Rod Harrod to fill the minor places.
Female 60 - 64:
She has to be Ron's wife.... Berryl Wilson last years winner, would be great to see her "chick" her hubby!!
Male 65 - 69:
The evergreen Allan Pittman here....not sure if he is really this age or that the die he puts in his hair covers the greys?!? But he will take the win.
Resutek Thoephile should be on the podium again.
Male 70 - 74:
George Hulse: 12.50 last year.... Has anyone made him pee into a cup?? That is amazing from a guy of that young age.
In the Pro race, I am going for Patrick Evoe & Rebecca Hoschke. After seeing Rebecca run at Busso, she will be running all the way to the win! Although the men's field is not very big I think it will be a good race. Luke Bell will be trying hard, but I think Evoe has his measure.
I will add that if Bell wins, I believe he will go onto BIG BIG things.. Getting the monkey off the back might be the hard part though.
For Now...
X-Man
PS... Word just in, Ben the white Kenyan to smash Ched Towns son Kane.
Also, theses are my tips and my views only. I seem to offend people by writing my blog. I am not a journalist, nor an expert in this tipping field. It is more for fun, so if I have left you off and you think you are worthy, don't worry, I don't play GOD on race day and influence your race. Go out there and have fun and remember:
PAIN IS TEMPORARY, QUITTING LASTS FOREVER!
YOU WILL BE AN IRONMAN
As for my athletes, I have two racing, both first timers... Scott Slater in the 30 - 34 and Ian Spinks in the 45 - 49, have a great day boys and remember to smile at the finish line. Do yourselves proud!
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