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| Leanda Cave of the UK is one of the athletes to watch in Abu Dhabi |
In one of the most hotly anticipated showdowns of the 2012 triathlon circuit, the world’s top female elites are making final preparations to contest next week’s season-opening US$250,000 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon.
The women’s race is packed with first-class competitors, making for a tight fight throughout the entire 223km long course flagship competition on March 3. Caroline Steffen, ‘the Swiss Miss’ is returning to Abu Dhabi for the third time – hoping to better her second place finish last year. In 2011 she overcame injury to win six events in five countries and has been a top five finisher at the Ironman World Championships in both 2011 and 2010. With her Long Distance background, Steffen – the 2010 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championship winner - will be the one to beat.Also looking to make her mark in Abu Dhabi is Melissa Rollison, a relative newcomer to triathlon having only switched to the sport in 2010 after a successful athletics career. In just a short time, the Australian has managed to dominate the world’s Half Ironman circuit winning an incredible seven events, breaking course records for each and is currently 70.3 World Champion.
“I’ve heard great things about this race and the location; I can’t wait to compete as well and see the amazing Abu Dhabi,” said Rollison. “I’m particularly looking forward to the long hot bike leg. It will kind of give me a feel of what I’m in for if I step up to the full Ironman. And having just switched to the awesome Specialized Shiv Time Trial bike, I’m excited to give it a good hit out on the long flat roads of Abu Dhabi”.With current double champion, Julie Dibens from Great Britain sidelined with injury, a host of other top elites expect in the lead pack on race day including UK trio Leanda Cave, Emma-Kate Lidbury and Rachel Joyce, Canadian Angela Neath, and Australian Nikki Butterfield.
One athlete hoping to cause a stir is Cave, who won her first Ironman gold at the end of 2011 and is fighting fit after a season of 13 races – of which she managed five wins. She changes between distances with ease - Ironman, Long distance, Olympic distance, Half Ironman and Duathlon - standing her in good stead for the unique Abu Dhabi distance.
Familiar with the conditions and format of the race, as former member of Abu Dhabi team, is Rachel Joyce, who won the ITU Long Course Championships and came fourth at the Ironman World Champions in 2011. Neath, with her strong bike credentials including fastest split at 70.3 Boulder and bike course record at 70.3 Ironman Croix, as well as a string of fastest bike times in recent events, is also expected to dominate the course, which includes the Yas Marina Circuit, home to the F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.