Penrith Lakes in Western Sydney has hosted Olympic and world rowing champions and now will witness some of the world's best IRONMAN triathletes.
Five-time IRONMAN World Champion and Sydney's own, Craig Alexander will take on an assortment of Australian young guns in the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Western Sydney.
Alexander, 41, will be testing his legs against Aussies Leon Griffin, Joe Gambles, Josh Amberger and James Seear.
The women’s race will be a hotly contested one with Germany's Anja Beranek, New Zealand’s Gina Crawford, Australia’s Rebekah Keat and Canada's Melanie McQuaid all in great form.
After a disappointing performance at the IRONMAN World Championship in October and the SunSmart IRONMAN 70.3 Mandurah, Alexander is primed for a strong showing in front of his home crowd.
“The one trouble I do have with age is travelling but to be able to race at home, to drive an hour and be at a race is awesome,” says Alexander.
“It’s good for Sydney to have an IRONMAN 70.3 because it does have a strong triathlon community and it’s good for me to be racing so close to home.”
Amberger hits IRONMAN 70.3 Western Sydney after a second consecutive win at IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie, while Griffin has had a successful year in IRONMAN 70.3 races around the globe with a win at Timberman (New England) and podiums at Texas, Eagleman and Mont Tremblant.
Beranek is the race favourite in the women's event after finishing fourth at the recent SunSmart IRONMAN 70.3 Mandurah after leading for much of the day.
The main threats are last weekend's IRONMAN 70.3 Ballarat winner McQuaid, Keat who finished sixth at SunSmart IRONMAN 70.3 Mandurah and fourth at the IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship Melbourne and the ever-consistent Crawford.
IRONMAN legend and six-time winner at Hawaii, Dave Scott will also make life hard for anyone in the 60-64 years age group.
Scott, one of the biggest names in the sport, is conducting a clinic in association with the event.
“I am thrilled to be part of the first IRONMAN 70.3 event in Western Sydney and am also looking forward to hosting the coaching clinic and preparing the athletes for the race,” says Scott.