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January is not only the month that ushers in the New Year; it’s also the month when triathlon truly kicks off on the continent as South Africa’s biggest triathlon in terms of athlete numbers takes place. On Sunday 26 January 2014 IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa gets underway at Orient Beach and excitement is rapidly building with another sold out field and strong professional contingent set to take the stage.
Defending champion, Bart Aernouts returns to a happy hunting ground this year. In 2013 Aernouts continued the proud Belgian legacy at the race by achieving what Marino Vanhoenacker and current IRONMAN world champion, Frederik van Lierde had done in years past. The Belgian must be considered one of the top contenders for the title once again.
The big twist in 2013 was the last minute withdrawal of local favourite, James Cunnama which in a way cleared the path for Aernouts to take the win. Cunnama is fresh off his fourth place finish at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona – the best ever finish for a South African – and has shown some good form in the latter part of the 2013 season with a win at IRONMAN 70.3 Cozumel before heading to Kona. The South African will undoubtedly mount a strong challenge and will be hoping for a first win on South African soil. Cunnama’s best performance came in 2010 when he finished second.
With the usual names set to light up the course, the introduction of some new blood on the pro scene will bring some added excitement especially on the South African front. After his phenomenal performance in Kona, Kyle Buckingham will be making his professional debut at IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa and will be closely watched by the rest of the men’s professional field.
Another world renowned athlete to look out for is 2005 IRONMAN world champion, Faris Al Sultan, who will be racing in East London for the first time. The German was scheduled to compete last year but withdrew late in race week due to illness.
The ladies’ field takes on a familiar look and should be as exciting as ever with the top three from 2013 all returning along with some previous podium finishers.
Defending champion, Great Britain’s Jodie Swallow, has made this race her own by winning a hat-trick of titles between 2011 and 2013. The former IRONMAN 70.3 world champion only seems to get better every time she returns to East London and it will be a brave person to bet against her claiming an unprecedented fourth title. Swallow comes into 2014 after an impressive 2013 which included a second place at IRONMAN South Africa – her first ever full distance IRONMAN race – as well as a maiden IRONMAN win at IRONMAN Sweden.
Despite the obvious brilliance of Swallow, the women’s pro field is strong featuring the likes of former champion, Lucie Reed, 2013 runner up, Susie Hignett, Belgium’s Tine Deckers and Switzerland’s Simone Braendli.
Reed has featured at every race since the inception of the event in 2008 finishing on the podium in five of her six attempts. Her 2009 performance will go down as her most memorable with the Czech star claiming victory. At 39 Reed is still a serious contender and possesses vast knowledge and experience of the course and the local conditions.
Deckers who finished 2nd in 2011 and 3rd in 2012, announced in race week last year that she was pregnant and it would be her last race until she gave birth. Now a new mother, the Belgian is back on track and will aim for that elusive top spot in East London.
The only South African woman to ever win IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa is Mari Rabie, a feat she achieved in 2010. This year the local hopes fall on Claire Horner and Dianne McEwan. Both athletes did not have a particularly smooth 2013 due to a combination of injuries and sheer bad luck so they will be looking to use IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa as a springboard for a successful 2014 season.
The race is once again sold out with a total field of 2977 athletes and 100 teams making IRONMAN 70.3 South Africa one of the biggest races of its kind in the world and the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. Athletes from 39 countries will be travelling to East London with 52% of athletes competing in their first ever IRONMAN 70.3 race.
