PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (6 April 2016) – This weekend’s Standard Bank IRONMAN® African Championship is a mouth-watering prospect with an exceptional professional field set to go for the title on a new course, Sunday 10 April in Port Elizabeth.
The professional men’s field could deliver an intriguing contest not only because of the strength of the field, but because there are potential winners throughout. Headlining the field is 2013 winner, Ronnie Schildknecht from Switzerland. Schildknecht is the only former male winner in this year’s field and has the pedigree and experience to challenge for a second title in South Africa. He will come up against quality opposition in Ben Hoffman (USA), Boris Stein (GER), Matt Trautman (RSA), Tim Van Berkel (AUS), James Cunnama (RSA), Kyle Buckingham (RSA), David Plese (SLO) and Bas Diederen (HOL).
Hoffman made his mark at the IRONMAN World Championship in 2014 when he finished second while Stein will be a real contender having done well of late including a top ten finish at the 2015 IRONMAN World Championship. Tim Van Berkel, David Plese and Bas Diederen are also strong athletes who will relish the tough conditions Port Elizabeth is known for.
The three South Africans, Matt Trautman, James Cunnama and Kyle Buckingham will provide excitement for the locals, as each is good enough to become the first South African since Raynard Tissink in 2011 to win in Port Elizabeth. Trautman in particular has been in good form and has improved each year finishing fifth and fourth in the last two years respectively while Cunnama has started to show some of the form of which many know he is capable.
The professional women’s field is headlined by defending champion, Great Britain’s Jodie Swallow who comes into the race as the strong favourite. Swallow has become a dominant force and will be tough to beat but in compatriots Lucy Gossage and Susie Cheetham she will have tough competition. Cheetham’s performance at the IRONMAN World Championship in 2015 underlined her ability in big races. Australia’s Annabel Luxford will be racing in South Africa for the first time while Sweden’s Asa Lundstrom will be one to watch.
