ITU Media Release – August 22, 2003
 
 

 


A Trio of ITU International Triathlons for August 23-24, 2003

Olympic Champion Brigitte McMahon to race in her home country against strong international field

 

Coming this weekend ITU International Triathlon Events in:

-          Veracruz, Mexico – August 23, 2003

-          Wakayama, Japan – August 23, 2003

-          Geneva, Switzerland – August 24, 2003

 

The ITU World Cup Triathlon series will resume on September 6 in Hamburg, Germany; in the interm triathlon fans will be satisfied with plenty of action from three International Triathlon events this weekend.  Next weekend, August 29 – 31, the mulit-sport world’s attention will turn to Affoltern, Switzerland where the ITU Duathlon World Championships are being staged. 

 

Veracruz Mexico – August 23, 2003

In the men’s race – Eligio Cervantes (MEX), currently ranked 29th in the world and with a top 10 World Cup finish to his credit in 2003, will have to hold off Victor Plata (USA), currently ranked 46th and a frequent top 15 finisher on the World Cup circuit.  In the women’s event top ranked Mexican athletes Ester Aguayo and Lisset Olivera, World Ranked number 90 and 92 respectively will attempt to hold off Mexican team mate Thalia Castillo who is in good form following a win in the Bogata ITU International Triathlon on August 2, 2003. 

 

Wakayama, Japan – August 23, 2003

Run specialist Akiko Sekine of Japan, currently ranked 32nd in the world will have to pull out all the stops to stay ahead of Japanese teammates Miyuki Biwata and Kiyomi Niwata.  On the men’s side Hiroyuki Nishiuchi, ranked 45th in the world is the favorite and will be chased by Tsukasa Hirano and Teppe Takeuchi. 

 

Geneva, Switzerland – August 24, 2003

Sydney Olympic Champion Brigitte McMahon (SUI) will be the home country crowd favorite this weekend in Geneva.  Brigitte is back on the World Cup circuit, having taken some time off from triathlon to give birth to her third child following her win in Sydney.  The woman to beat on Sunday is Emma Snowsill (AUS), who is having a breakthrough season on the World Cup circuit this year and finished on the podium in the Tongyeong ITU World Cup earlier this year.  Emma, ranked 29th in the world, is currently training in Switzerland.  Joelle Franzmann (GER) third place finisher in the 2003 Salford ITU World Cup is another favorite for the top of the podium. 

 

A strong men’s field, including two men currently ranked in the top ten in the world, promises a great race in Geneva.  Andrew Johns (GBR), world ranked number 4 and winner of the 2003 Salford ITU World Cup is the favorite.  Vladimir Polikarpenko (UKR) a tough competitor ranked 9th in the world and winner of the Tiszaujvaros ITU World Cup will also be after the win.  Up and coming Australian Brad Kahlefeldt, currently ranked 26th but climbing the rankings is a definite podium contender. 

 

Visit www.triathlon.org for event details and results.

 

For more information contact:

ITU Headquarters; Email: ituhdq@triathlon.org

Phone: 1-604-926-7250 Fax: 1-604-926-7260

 

An ITU International Triathlon awards fewer points then an ITU World Cup event but still offers athletes the opportunity to earn valuable World Ranking points towards qualification for the Athens Olympic Games.  The races follow the Olympic distance format, 1.5 km, 40 km bike and 10 km run as a World Cup race.  Details available on www.triathlon.org