Ironman 70.3 Busselton, Triathlon Western Australia (TWA) is excited to announce the addition of 5 x World Champion Triathlete, Craig ‘Crowie’ Alexander to the Professional start list for the SunSmart IRONMAN 70.3 Busselton, Sunday 1 May 2016.
Alexander has over a decade of national and international Ironman Triathlon titles under his belt including 70.3 World Champion 2006, 2011; Ironman World Champion 2008, 2009, 2011 and was the first athlete to win a 70.3 and Ironman World Championships in the same year.
TWA Event Manager Georgina Westgarth said “We are extremely excited to announce Craig Alexander as part of our professional field for SunSmart IRONMAN 70.3 Busselton. The pro field itself is strong for this event and will no doubt provide a very entertaining race and draw a great crowd!”
Being new to the Busselton 70.3 event Alexander says "I am really looking forward to heading west in May to race in Busselton. I have never raced there before but heard only amazing things about the race, the place and the incredible festival atmosphere over the whole weekend. The race always attracts a World class field and with 50 qualification spots on offer for the IM 70.3 World Championships later this year, the age group ranks will also be stacked. See you there!"
TWA Executive Director Peter Minchin said “The addition of Craig to the field for SunSmart IRONMAN 70.3 Busselton highlights the popularity of Busselton. Craig is a truly world class athlete and his participation only adds to what is fast becoming known as one of the must do races, not only in the Asia-Pacific region but, right across the world”.
Joining Alexander on the start line will be Peter Kerr, who is in great form having won the Ironman 70.3 Taiwan last weekend. Also on the start line will be New Zealand’s Guy Crawford who finished 7th in 2015; Simon Billeau (FRA) who finished 12th last year and Aussie Pro’s David Mainwaring winner of 2015 Ironman 70.3 Western Sydney, Callum Millward having most recently finished 3rd in Ironman New Zealand and Giles Clayton who finished in 10th place in Busselton last year also competing on the event.
The women’s field for this year’s event is also one that will not disappoint. With many of our Aussie pro females who finished in the top ten at last year’s event returning; Katey Gibb 3rd place, the 2014 winner and WA local Kate Bevilaqua 4th place, Kate Pedley 5th place and Katy Duffield 6th place. The ‘Kate’s’ will be joined by Annabel Luxford (AUS) who came second at Ironman 70.3 Geelong in February and Tineke Stewart (NZL)
Also racing in the Professional women’s field is Renee Baker (AUS) who is an Ambassador for our charity partner Muscular Dystrophy Western Australia (MDWA) and the ‘Tri for Someone Who Can’t’ fundraising campaign. Former West Coast Eagles player Beau Waters is also an Event Ambassador for MDWA and is also competing to help raise awareness and funds for MDWA.
We have an even field of male and female professional athletes both experienced and new generation so it will be interesting to watch the action and the results come in.
Professionals compete for P-750 points and $25,000 prize purse
Male Pro:
1 Craig Alexander AUS
2 David Mainwaring AUS
3 Callum Millward NZL
4 Mike Phillips NZL
5 Peter Kerr AUS
6 Guy Crawford NZL
7 Pete Jacobs AUS
8 Mathew Bellow AUS
10 Alexander Polizzi AUS
11 Nick Baldwin SYC
12 Simon Billeau FRA
13 Johan Borg AUS
14 Matt Burton AUS
16 Giles Clayton AUS
17 Tim George AUS
18 Lachlan Kerin AUS
19 Mitchell Kibby AUS
20 Mitchell Robins AUS
21 Daniel Stein AUS
22 Stephen Thompson IRL
23 Brad Wauer AUS
Female Pro:
31 Felicity Sheedy-Ryan AUS
32 Annabel Luxford AUS
33 Katey Gibb AUS
34 Kate Bevilaqua AUS
35 Kate Pedley AUS
36 Jessica Mitchell AUS
37 Renee Baker AUS
38 Kym Coogan AUS
39 Alise Selsmark AUS
41 Rebecca Fogarty NZL
42 Courtney Gilfillan AUS
44 Leah Lassche NZL