The Countdown to Ironman Western Australia is on!
The countdown to Ironman Western Australia is on and this year will see another stellar field of local and international talent duke it out for the right to be called an Ironman Champion.
BUSSELTON, Western Australia (October 17, 2011) – Only forty-eight days remain until 1,600 of the fittest professional and age group athletes on the planet test themselves at the grueling SunSmart Ironman Western Australia triathlon. The event is held in picturesque Busselton, Western Australia on Sunday December 4, 2011 and requires competitors to complete a 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run all within a seventeen-hour time limit.
SunSmart Ironman Western Australia is a signature event in the Western Australia major events calendar. 2011 is the eighth edition of the race, which continues to grow in stature year-upon-year and follows a hugely successful event in 2010.
“SunSmart Ironman Western Australia 2010 was an enormous success and we look forward to building upon that success again in 2011,” said Shane Smith, Ironman Australia’s General Manager.
“Last year we made some radical changes to the event including moving the finish line into Queen Street which made for one of the most remarkable finish line atmospheres at any Ironman race in the world.
“We look forward to once again sharing this event with the local community and providing Ironman athletes from far and wide with an incredible race experience and an extraordinary stay in Busselton.”
The 2011 event has attracted athletes from across the globe. More than 1,300 athletes participating in the 2011 event reside outside of Western Australia and the event has a truly international flavour. Athletes from Argentina, Austria, Belgium Brazil, Denmark and Finland all the way through to Spain, Switzerland and the USA will toe the start line on December 4. In total, no less than thirty-seven countries will be represented on race day.
The professional field is filled with multiple Ironman champions and the depth of talent will ensure incredible racing at the front of the pack. The 2011 professional field includes defending champions Courtney Ogden (WA) and Kate Bevilaqua (WA), 2010 SunSmart Ironman Western Australia Runner-Up, Matty White (SA, two-time Ironman Western Australia champion Jason Shortis (VIC), former World Duathlon Champion Leon Griffin (VIC), 2008 Ironman Wisconson Champion, Hilary Biscay (USA), dual Ironman Wisconsin and 2009 Ironman Lake Placid Champion, Maik Twelsiek (GER) and five-time Ironman champion, Luke McKenzie (AUS).
The State Government supports SunSmart Ironman Western Australia through Eventscorp. Executive Director of Eventscorp David van Ooran said it was great to see the event growing bigger and better each year.
“It will be great to have some of the world’s top endurance athletes from around the world in Busselton for SunSmart Ironman Western Australia,” he said.
“The event not only adds vibrancy to the region, but it also showcases the extraordinary landscapes of Busselton and the South West to a worldwide television audience in 200 countries.”
SunSmart Ironman Western Australia 2011 is proudly sponsored by Healthway and is a SunSmart and SmokeFree event. Event organisors, World Triathlon Corporation, are committed to leading the way in providing a healthy environment for everyone involved in the production of SunSmart Ironman Western Australia 2011. A series of measures are implemented throughout the conduct of the event to create a SunSmart and SmokeFree environment for participants and spectators alike.
SunSmart Ironman Western Australia 2011 is one of nearly 30 Ironman events worldwide. Athletes will compete for a professional prize purse of $25,000 USD and 40 age group qualifying slots to the 2012 Ironman World Championship. More information is available at www.ironmanwesternaustralia.com
Words: WTC Australia
Photo: Delly Carr
