Ready to tackle the Ironman
Battle lines drawn for the 13th edition
THE battle lines have been drawn for the 13th edition of the Ironman African Championship race which takes place tomorrow at Hobie Beach in Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth.
The women’s professional field promises to be exciting, as defending champ Kaisa Lehtonen is not only looking to regain her title but also to outshine World Championship winner Daniele Ryf while at it.
The Finland professional athlete said she is extremely fit and ready for the race tomorrow.
Lehtonen who turned pro in 2013 said she was excited to be back in Port Elizabeth.
“I have always loved to race here in the African continent. There is some kind of magic here it’s nice to be back.
“This year’s field is even tougher than last year. There’s the Ironman World Championship winner Daniele racing.
“She is the one who has been setting the bar in the women Ironman race for the last few years. It’s an honour to race along side her.
“I think I am more fit than ever before. I have been training really hard so it will be very exciting to see if I can challenge her (Ryf).”
She said winning the race for the second time would be her biggest achievement throughout her professional career.
However, Lehtonen said challenging the Ironman World Champ or even beating her would be a huge challenge for her.
Meanwhile, Ryf who last year came first in Ironman Zürich, Ironman 70.3 Rapperswil and Ironman 70.3 Dubai said her aim was just to finish the race.
The 29-year-old said this year’s women’s pro field was looking good and her competitors were looking strong.
“In Ironman it’s always important to focus on yourself.
“I’ve been training well, so now I just hope my body will hold everything together. That’s what it is all about as you have to make the best out of today and focus on your body.
“You can’t really change what the others do but you can really focus on what you can do. That is what I am trying to do and then see what happens.”
As the World Champ and having won so many Ironman races in her career, many people will put their money on Ryf to win tomorrow’s race.
Asked if she was under pressure she replied: “There is no pressure going into the race. It’s always a compliment if people think that you are going to win. My goal is always to be fast and I try to give my best.
“To me there was a lot of pressure to get my first Kona win that was the most pressure I felt.
“Since then I have started enjoying racing. It’s our job to race but we also want to enjoy it. If I enjoy it then normally the performance is better.
“I have had some problems with my body so to be honest I’ll be happy if I can finish.”
South African athlete Annah Watkinson who came third at the 2016 Ironman Barcelona says she wants to fly the country’s flag high and finish on the podium this year.
The 35-year-old took eighth position last year which she regards as disappointing.
“I would like to finish in the top three obviously but if not the top three I would like to be at least competitive in racing against the girls.
“If I would win the race it would be indescribable.”