World Triathlon

Athletes from nineteen countries have arrived in sunny Mexico for the 2006 ITU Mazatlan World Cup triathlon this Sunday.  Last year’s winners Vanessa Fernandes (POR) and Hunter Kemper (USA) are back to defend their titles and climb to the top of the ITU World Cup rankings.  Many of the top triathletes in the world are also in town and are sure to give the local crowds a race to remember. 

People at home can tune into TriCast™ Live!, and catch live audio commentary, timing, photos and text updates from the beautiful beach side resort of Mazatlan, by visiting triathlon.org.

International eyes will be on Fernandes and Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) to see if they can stretch their unprecedented winning streaks.  Fernandes is looking for her seventh straight world cup victory, a feat not matched since the debut of triathlon in the 2000 Olympic Games.  This is while Kahlefeldt goes for his sixth win in a row.  Kahlefeldt has won every race he has entered so far this year including the ITU Doha World Cup, Australian championships and Commonwealth Games.

Fernandes has her work cut out for her as top ranked Laura Bennett (USA) is on the start list and in top form with two podium finishes already this year.

Carla Moreno (BRA), the winner in 2004, and Jill Savege (CAN), last year’s silver medallist, are in town and looking to continue their success in Mazatlan.  Also on the start line is Anja Dittmer (GER) who, after winning the 2004 ITU World Cup series, took a break last year, leaving everyone anxious to see what form she is in.

The women’s race will start at 8am MDT (GMT-6)

As Kahlefeldt tries to clinch his sixth win he will face stiff competition from the 2005 ITU World Cup champion, Kemper, and former Olympic champion and 2004 winner, Simon Whitfield (CAN).  Greg Bennett (AUS) is also on the start list and is hungry for his first world cup win since 2003.

Rasmus Henning (DEN) will also be one to watch after his win last weekend at the St. Anthony’s triathlon over Kemper and Andy Potts (USA), in a course record time.  Other strong contenders are Mark Fretta (USA), currently ranked number one and former world champion, Ivan Raña (ESP).

The men race will start lat 10:45am MDT.

This is the third time Mazatlan has hosted an ITU World Cup with over 1,000 volunteers and workers, the majority of who come from outside the city.  The event is made possible with the support of many corporate and government partners.

Click here for start lists and full race details