ALEXANDER ON LONG ROAD TO REDEMPTION FOR AUSSIE CHAMPS

Jervis Bay Triathlon & Multisport Festival attracts record numbers

Reigning World Ironman champion Craig Alexander will be looking to reassert his authority when he lines up for the Trishave Australian Long Course Triathlon Championships in the NSW south coast town of Huskisson on Sunday.

While 2009 saw the celebrated Sydney Ironman successfully defend his crown in Hawaii on his way to snaring the prestigious Australian Sports Performer of the Year award, last year's race represented a rare glitch when he was beaten into second place by rising star Pete Jacobs.

With warm weather predicted for the weekend following recent heavy rain, the Jervis Bay Triathlon & Multisport Festival should see more than 3000 people soaking up the sunshine across a range of events. The Long Course, Sprint and Miniman events are already closed, with a record 912 entries registered for the Trishave Australian Long Course Triathlon Championships.

Alexander, having warmed up with an impressive win in the Geelong 70.3 earlier this month, will be keen to make his intentions clear from the start.

"I was disappointed with my performance last year rather than the result," Alexander said. "You can have a good race and not win, but last year was probably my worst swim in a race for a number of years and in the final wash-up Pete was the best performer and thoroughly deserved his win. I'll be looking to put in a better performance and a lot of that will start with the swim.

Alexander and Jacobs will again be the main contenders for the national title, with challenges likely to come from fellow New South Welshmen Jason Shortis, Tim Berkel and Clayton Fettell. While earmarking Jacobs as the danger man, Alexander was adamant this race was high on his priority list as he built towards a possible third World Ironman in October.

"I think Pete's the one to watch again. He's just back from a training camp in Dubai and he's tackling Ironman Australia in a month, so he'll obviously be fit. His goals for the year are a little different to mine, so it's difficult to match up form, but I'm well rested and raring to go so there will be no excuses from me come race day.

"Every race has its place - they're all important to me. I only race about 12 times a year these days so I choose my races wisely. Race conditions are the best way to evaluate your form, you race to win, and then you conduct a post mortem afterwards to see if you need to make changes in training that will benefit you down the track."

The elite women's race will see Pip Taylor, from northern NSW but now primarily based in the United States, back to defend her title. Queensland's Carrie Lester should be counted among the favourites on the back of a silver medal in the Geelong 70.3, while Lisa Marangon (NSW) and Melissa Vandewater (NSW) boast strong credentials.

Race director Mark Emerton, from Elite Energy, said interest in this year's Jervis Bay Triathlon & Multisport Festival had been outstanding.

"We closed the books on the Long Course field at more than 900, the Sprint field has more than doubled to 850 and the Enticer field has tripled with more than 340 competitors already registered, so the event is witnessing some tremendous growth," Emerton said.

"Sunday's forecast is sunny and 26 degrees, so we're looking forward to a great weekend of racing that can be enjoyed by the entire family in a beautiful part of the world."



JERVIS BAY TRIATHLON & MULTISPORT FESTIVAL

February 19-21

     http://www.eliteenergy.com.au/

Friday, February 19         5.30pm                 1.5km Jervis Bay Swim Classic

Saturday, February 20    7am                       Huskisson Sprint Triathlon

                                                9am                       Huskisson Enticer Triathlon

                                                10.30am               Miniman Triathlon 12-16 yrs

                                                11.30am               Miniman Triathlon 7-11 yrs

                                                12.45pm               NSW Pro Tour Triathlon Race 1

                                                1.30pm                 NSW Pro Tour Triathlon Race 2

                                                2.25pm                 NSW Pro Tour Triathlon Race 3

                                                3.30pm                 2km Fun Run

                                                3.45pm                 10km Fun Run

                                                4pm                       5km Fun Run

                                                5pm                       Elite Criterium

Sunday, February 21       7am                       Trishave Australian Long Course Triathlon

                                                                              Championships

For further information please contact:

TA Communications Manager Jeremy Wilshire on 0427 374 636 or jeremy@triathlon.org.au

For event details visit: http://www.eliteenergy.com.au/