World Triathlon

The 2006 ITU Hobart Oceania Cup Triathlon looks set to attract another world class field. A number of Commonwealth Games athletes will be using Hobart as part of their preparation for Melbourne. They will be joined by athletes from Europe, the United States and a strong Australian contingent which should set the scene for some thrilling racing in a venue that received much acclaim following last years inaugural race.

We anticipate having the full Australian Commonwealth Games team competing and the Canadians have also indicated their intention for all team members to race Hobart in the lead up to Melbourne DTA events elite athlete coordinator Craig Redman announced yesterday.

Defending champions Emma Snowsill and Simon Thompson will return. Snowsill is the current world champion and she will be joined by her Commonwealth Games team members Annabel Luxford and Loretta Harrop.  Luxford finished the 2005 season ranked number 1 in the world whilst Harrop won the silver medal at the Athens Olympic Games.

The Australian mens Commonwealth Games team that includes Greg Bennett, Peter Robertson and Brad Kahlefeldt will test Thompson. Robertson is the reigning world champion; Kahlefeldt was 3rd in that event whilst Bennet was 4th in Athens in 2004.

When you look at the quality of the Australian Commonwealth Games team and our defending champions it would be easy to assume an Australian will win Hobart however the Canadians, the New Zealanders and the British all have world class triathletes and the race will be a wide open affair Redman said.

In the coming weeks we expect to firm up fields for both the elite womens and mens events. Hobart is perfectly positioned in the lead up to Melbourne and barring injury or illness we have every indication of a really strong field.

Hobart will again carry International Triathlon Union world ranking
points. The race will be the third in the Australian Triathlon Series and will be a selection race for elite and age group triathletes for the 2006 world championships to be held later in the year in Switzerland.

Early entries suggest another large field with well in excess of 400 competitors expected to compete. The 2006 ITU Hobart Oceania Cup Triathlon will be held on Sunday February 19. Full event details can be accessed from the DTA events website www.tasmanianevents.com.au