by rick olivares
The second staging of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines was formally launched yesterday, Friday August 20, 2010 at the Convention Center at the Camarines Sur Water Complex, in Pili, Camarines Sur.
Sunrise Events, Inc. president and Alaska Milk CEO Wilfred Steven Uytengsu said that he hoped that the event will replicate the unforgettable experience of the inaugural tournament from last year that was won by New Zealander Terenzo Bozzone.
"Last year's race drew 583 triathletes. This year we have a total of 841 participants with a bigger pro field including some of the very best in the world of triathlon who will compete in individual and relay competitions." said Uytengsu who PBA ballclub Alaska Aces is fresh from winning their 13th league title. "We certainly hope to recreate the success of our inaugural race. (Camarines Sur) Governor L-Ray Villafuerte made a lot of improvements in the security and safety of this competition to add to the over-all ambiance of this Ironman event. Last year when we held the relays to encourage people to get their feet wet in the sport of triathlon. It is a fast growing sport."
This year's Ironman event is the second of the three-year hosting by the Philippines that has drawn 172 foreign participants from 34 countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and New Zealand.
The race consists of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike race, and a 13.1-mile run that totals 70.3 miles of total racing. Bozzone, last year's winner said it wasn't going to be easy in defending his title given the field of competition. "It's really a tough race from start to finish and there's no telling what your body's going to do in this heat. That's what is so exciting about triathlon anything can happen. You can have a two-minute lead going to the last two kilometers of the run and someone can catch you. Last year it was a close race and Cameron Brown was a minute behind me and that's not much. Pete Jacobs knows the course he's been training well and he beat me in Kona (Hawaii) while Cameron beat me in Ironman New Zealand so they would have to be at the top of the list. It isn't going to be easy defending the title. But we will put on a good show that's for certain."
Jacobs and Brown aren't the only pro-triathletes in town. The pro-field includes the UK’s Paul Amey, Australia’s Justin Cole, Rachel Paxton and Leon Griffin, Hong Kong’s Erich Felbabel, and Canada’s Lance Watson and Magali Tisseyre. Also making her first appearance is the Queen of Triathlon Michellie Jones who has won over 160 races.
The Philippines' top triathlete, Noy Jopson, will be leading also a talented cast of locals in the competition that put the Philippines on the Ironman map.
Villafuerte, who himself is a champion wakeboarder, said that local government had added eight divers to the swim area for additional safety. "We have a lifeguard for every 200 meters in the big lake as well as safety signages. We also have called in the help of the local police and military for additional security. The Maharlika Highway will be closed to all traffic from 6am Sunday morning. And in the run course, we have added a sprinkler system to help participants cope with the heat."
This year’s Ironman winner will take home the $6,000 top prize while the next two finishers will get home $4,000 and $2,000, respectively. The top Filipino placers get P50,000, P30,000 and P20,000.
Noy Jopson during the Meet the Pros presscon:
Noy Jopson during the Meet the Pros presscon:
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