Ironman Western Australia Athlete Preview

This year marks the 10 year anniversary for Ironamn Western Australia, a race that takes place in the scenic township of Busselton in the south-west region of Western Australia.

This is a fantastic race for first time Ironman racing and for those after a flat fast course, with the main factors being the heat and wind that can often cause havoc in the later stages of athletes races. Our Melbourne Spring hasn’t provided athletes with an ideal lead in to acclimatise for this race, but with most heading over today, they will have a few days before Sundays race to check out the course and get used to the Busso heat.

This year, Tri Alliance will be taking over 16 athletes from Victoria and Queensland, who are all now enjoying their taper and putting final preparations on their race plans.

From Victoria, Tri Alliance has 11 athletes racing – including  4 first time Ironman athletes, a defending champion, and around 20 Ironman race experinces between them.

From Queensland, Tri Alliance has 5 athletes including Rowan Foster from Smiling from Smiddy who’s ‘Team Smiddy’ will see 106 race and have raised over $170k for the Smiling for Smiddy Foundation – an amazing effort by everyone involved!

We wish all athletes well for their races on Sunday, they have put in a massive effort into this Ironman Build and we can’t wait to track them online!

Coaches Ollie and Ryan will be in Busso supporting the team and will provide live feedback and updates from the race, so make sure you keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter feeds for further details.

As quoted from an athlete back in Melbourne: “I would wish you luck…….however people who strive for the best from themselves don’t need it, they just deliver.”

So to each of you – have an amazing race. You will have huge support at the race, and don’t forget all those back home who will be glued to their computers on Sunday, patiently waiting for updates and willing you to dig deep when the going gets tough. It is these people around you who will help lift you when the going gets tough, but it is YOU who has gotten yourself there and it is YOU who will cross that finishing line an IRONMAN. So enjoy the moment. Trust us – it will go fast and it will be over before you realise. (Oh and don’t forget to plan your finishing line photo!)  😉

Best of luck Team…

Tri Alliance Athletes: 

• #1107 Jody Biddle 45-49M
  Has had a near faultless preparation and backing up from his performance at Shep Half, we are expecting a great race from Jody in Ironman #3.
• #846 Matthew Green 40-44M
  Has been able to develop well over the past 6 months with on going injury management we look forward to seeing Matty put together a consistent race on Sunday.
• #355 Paul O’Dowd 30-34M
  You have to love Irish – his enthusiasm and his dedication leading into this race has been ‘grand’ as he would say. A slight little niggle scare a couple of weeks ago, but come race day Irish is prepared to give it everything. So lets cheer him home for his biggest race yet.
• #444 Marina Jurjevic 30-34F
  Heading into her 6th Ironman, Marina is back at her peak which saw her win this race 2 years ago. With a Kona qualification spot up for grabs this year, we anticipate another great race for Marina.
• #757 Magda Urbanek 35-39F A first time Ironman in the making, Magda has done everything right. She has listened to Coaches, ask advice, sought feedback and put in the hard yards. Magda is going to love the experience and all going to plan with have an amazing day!
• #476 Juliet Vermeulen 30-34F
  After running the San Fran Marathon earlier this year, Juliet spent a number of weeks in a boot with a stress fracture. To her credit she used this time to focus on swimming then build back into her bike and run and has been as consistent as she has ever been. We can’t wait to cheer this girl on, as she has done amazingly well to get to the start line for her first Ironman!
• 
  #398 Peter (Peet) Vermeulen 30-34M
  Peet has come into his own during his first Ironman campaign. His improvements on the bike have been impressive and his consistency in the pool and back from a late season foot injury last year has seen him prepare meticulously for this race. Peet and Juliet have put a lot of effort into their training and they can now enjoy the reward that comes with it – the race itself!
• #661 Nicholas (Nick) Sissons 35-39M
  This race will see him head into his 5th Ironman, and is looking in his best shape since coming back from injuries that lead him into Ironman Melbourne last year. Searching for a solid overall race from Nick which will be set up in his swim, bike combo.
• #170 Andrew (Andy) Peters 25-29M
  Another First Time Ironman in the making, Andy has had a slightly disrupted lead-in with work overtaking some of his training time, and a mishap on the bike a couple of weeks ago, but none the less, he will be looking for a consistent race come Sunday and will be enjoying the celebrations that come with such a big event!
• #1510 Greg Nugent 55-59M
  Coach Greg is lining up for his 6th Ironman and at the same time has been helping guide our first time Ironman athletes Peet, Magda, Juliet and Andy during their first Ironman campaigns. Greg is a testament to someone who listened to their body, and learning from previous racing and training experience. We wish Greg a great race
• #1394 Geoff McDonald 50-54M
  Commenced his Ironman campaign with the squad in June this year, with the added challenge of training online and completed the majority of training by himself, Geoff is looking forward to racing in the TA colours and we look forward to seeing how his race unfolds on Sunday.
• #1481 Marjorie VanRooyen (QLD)
• #1441 Johnny VanRooyen (QLD)
• #1084 Heidi Sowerby 40-44F (QLD
• #1076 Krista Page 40-44F (QLD)
• #279 Rowan Foster 30-34M (QLD)

Click here for the full athlete participation list