ITU News Release

ITU International Triathlon Action for Sunday, June 29, 2003

The following stops are on the ITU event calendar for the upcoming weekend:

• Victoria, Canada – ITU International Triathlon - June 29, 2003
• Seorak, Korea – ITU International Triathlon - June 29, 2003
• Amakusa, Japan – ITU International Triathlon – June 29, 2003
• Sater, Sweden – ITU International Long Distance World Tour Event – June 29, 2003

Start lists for all events are now available on www.triathlon.org. Results will also be posted on www.triathlon.org following the events.

The next stop on the ITU World Cup Triathlon circuit is in Edmonton, Canada on July 13, 2003.

Victoria ITU International Triathlon: For the second year in a row this event is the Canadian Elite Triathlon Championships and as such has attracted many of Canada’s top athletes. The Canadian women are proving a force to be reckoned with on the international scene; Jill Savege (CAN) – third in the Victoria ITU International Triathlon last year – is now ranked 6^th in the world following consistent top 15 finishes in World Cup events this year and two World Cup wins in Hamburg and Makuhari towards the end of 2002. Canadian team mates Sharon Donnelly and Natasha Filliol were first and second respectively in the event last year and are currently ranked 8^th and 19^th in the world. The women’s race will showcase some strong Canadian talent but the spectators will also be focused on the men’s race where Canadian Olympic hero, Simon Whitfield, will be racing in his home city. Simon is currently ranked 22^nd in the world. The race should also be a good test for fellow Victoria resident Brent McMahon – still in the under 23 category but steadily climbing the ITU rankings to his current position of 68^th.

Seorak ITU International Triathlon: 1999 ITU World Champion and current world ranked #3, Dmitry Gaag (KAZ) is the athlete all eyes will be focused on in Seorak this weekend. Dmitry has already posted 2 top 10 ITU World Cup finishes this year in Tongyeong and Ishigaki and appears to be in good form. Dmitry’s toughest competition will be Bryce Quirk (AUS) currently ranked 30^th in the world. In the women’s event Yukako Inone of Japan will be looking to improve on her 4^th place finish in 2002 and will be chased by Heather Evans of New Zealand currently ranked 59^th in the world. The Seorak ITU International Triathlon boasts a flat, fast course that has been tested as an ITU International event for the past several years.

Amakusa ITU International Triathlon: Rising Japanese athlete Machiko Nakanishi, currently ranked 15^th in the world is the star athlete in this event. In the men’s field Ryosuke Yamamoto, ranked #79, and Teppei Takeuchi, ranked #86, are the athletes to watch.

Sater ITU Long Distance World Tour Event: The event is the Swedish National Long Distance Championships in addition to part of the ITU Long Distance World Tour. The event has a small start list for 2003 with anticipation of building towards 2004.

For more information please contact ITU Headquarters:

Email: ituhdq@triathlon.org

Phone: 1.604.926.7250

Fax: 1.604.926-7260