The
women's start list includes an impressive 60 athletes,
from 18 countries across the globe. Some to watch
out for include Olympians Michellie Jones, (AUS),
Sheila Taormina (USA), Carol Montgomery (CAN), Joanna
Zeiger (USA), and Akiko Sekine (JPN). Other top Americans
defending home turf are Barb Lindquist - who was second
at the Geelong event and Laura Reback who won her
first World Cup last season in Japan.
A
stacked start list of men from 21 countries are also
ready to race - with the likes of Andrew Johns (GBR),
Greg Bennett (AUS), Martin Krnavek (CZE) and Kiwi
brothers, Shane and Matt Reed all set to compete.
Spain has also sent a strong team, including last
year's Ishigaki World Cup winner and Aquathlon World
Champion, Ivan Rana. The American charge will be led
by Joe Umphenour, fresh off a second place showing
at the Guatemala City International Triathlon and
US Olympian, Hunter Kemper.
This
weekend's event will feature a 2-lap (1500m) swim
in Tamp Bay, an 8-lap (40km) cycle through downtown
St. Petersburg and a 4-lap (10km) run along the waterfront.
The women get underway at 12noon on Saturday, while
the men hit the water at 2:30pm. Athletes are competing
for lucrative ITU World Ranking points and a share
in the US$65,000 prize purse.
For event Media information, contact:
Krista Soroka (event media manager)
Tel: 1.813.254.9880
Email: ksoroka@tampabay.rr.com
For
series media information, contact:
ITU Headquarters
Tel: 1.604.926.7250
Email: ituhdq@telus.net
Follow
all the race action live at: www.triathlon.org
