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Two-time Ironman World Champion Craig Alexander will make his long-awaited return to the Ironman ranks at the Ironman Coeur d'Alene event in the US this weekend.

Wednesday June 22, 2011. After the dissappointment of missing out on racing at Ironman Australia due to a viral infection in the lead-up to the race, Craig 'Crowie' Alexander was set back again in June when he had a second bout of similar symptoms.

This season has been an unusual one for Crowie, beginning with a new schedule, which included the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon in February where the Aussie finished sixth in a world-class field.

Although admitting on his blog that it has been a frustrating season so far, Crowie is excited to be making his first appearance at Ironman Coeur d'Alene. "I always love a new race venue, and I hear the scenery in Idaho is brilliant."

Ironman Coeur d'Alene this weekend ticks an important box in Crowie's bid to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii later this year. Under the new Kona Pro Rankings system, each athlete needs to do at least two Ironman triathlons (which can include the 2010 World Championships) and three Ironman 70.3 races in order to qualify for the 2011 IM Worlds. The top 40 men and women in the Kona Pro Rankings on July 31 will automatically qualify for the 2011 IM World Championships, so it is imperative for Alexander that he complete his second Ironman sooner rather than later in this KPR year to confirm his Kona spot.

Crowie's main competition this weekend will come from Tom Evans from Canada (four-time Ironman champion) and the German Maik Tweksiek (two-time Ironman champion). If Crowie is victorious or can at least podium in Idaho it will all but sure up his spot for this year's IM Worlds.

On the women's side of draw in Coeur d'Alene, Great Britain's power-house Julie Dibens is expected to lineup this weekend, but she'll have to contend with the likes of Cait Snow and Desiree Ficker from the US, who will be keen to win on home soil. The in-form Kelly Williamson was down on the start list for IMCDA, but unfortunately it has been confirmed she won't be racing in Idaho this weekend.