Ryf ready to defend World title

Manama : Daniela Ryf of Switzerland leads the Bahrain Endurance 13 charge at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship this Sunday on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia as the defending champion seeks to extend her winning streak and become the first athlete to claim three consecutive 70.3 world championship victories over three different courses.

Ryf flew in two weeks early to acclimatize. “Mooloolaba is a special race for me, as I raced the World Cup three times and have some great memories,” she says, referring to the long-running ITU event hosted here. 

“I decided to come early to make the best preparation I can and keep up the work also leading into Kona.

“It will be a tough race, where tired legs need to suck it up with these hills, as even the run will be tough. I did everything I could to be ready for this challenge and I’m excited to race in front of the Aussie crowd.”

Caroline Steffen is based in Mooloolaba and knows the course better than anyone. “To have the world championship in my training backyard is just great. I hope I can count on the home advantage. Also I have done well in previous years on this course, which gives me some confidence, too,” She said.

In previous times, Steffen has raced her compatriot and successfully managed to hold her own, most recently coming in second at the Bahrain and Dubai Ironman 70.3’s. She also owns a two-year podium streak over the 70.3 distance.

“In 2016 I made some changes to my race schedule, skipping full Ironman racing including Kona. My body needed a break, so I thought why not focus on 70.3 for one year with Mooloolaba and not Kona as my main goal,” she explains. “Preparation with new coach Daniel Plews is going well and I’m happy with my year so far and think I can finish in the top three on Sunday.

Jan Frodeno has opted out of defending his title and the field is wide open for a new men’s champion to be crowned. Terenzo Bozzone seeks to reclaim the world championship title he won in 2008.