World Triathlon

ITU Media   Release - 10 October, 2003
 
  ITU World Cup Series Returns to Japan - Monday, October 13- Makuhari, Japan-   Makuhari ITU Triathlon World Cup

Elite Women -8:25   am (local time); 11:25 pm, October 13 (GMT) Elite Men -10:35 (local time), 1:35   am (GMT)

The October segment   of the ITU World Cup series kicks off in Makuhari, Japan on Monday, October   13th

In the men’s event;   World Ranked Number 1 Greg Bennett (AUS) is back on the ITU World Cup Circuit   - he hasn’t taken a position on the start line of a World Cup event since August.   Greg has held the top rankings position for most of 2003; however, during his   break from racing Andrew Johns (GBR) has rapidly climbed the rankings to his   current position of second and has now moved within striking distance of the   top spot. The race should heat up even further as there is another contender   on the start list anxious for the win - Chris Hill (AUS). Chris was in the battle   with Greg Bennett for the top spot of the World Rankings early in 2003 and is   currently ranked Number 4 in the World. He is no stranger to the top spot of   the rankings having won the President’s Cup as overall rankings leader in 2001.   1999. ITU World Champion, Dmitriy Gaag (KAZ), currently ranked 6th in the world   - a tough competitor who races nearly every weekend, is not a surprise name   on the start list but always a podium threat.

On the women’s   side - Laura Reback (USA) World Ranked Number 2, winner of two ITU World Cup   events in 2003, and fiancé of Greg Bennett is the clear pre-race favourite.   This will also be her first appearance back on the World Cup circuit since August.   Her prime competition will come from Liz Blatchford (AUS). Liz had her first   World cup win this year in Gamagori, Japan and now back in Japan she will be   hoping to duplicate her success. Liz’s Australian teammate and former World   Champion Loretta Harrop has fallen to tenth place in the ITU World Cup Rankings   but this tough competitor, who has faced many personal challenges over the last   year, will be looking to come back late in the season.

The home country   competitor to watch is Machiko Nakanishi of Japan. Currently ranked 16th in   the world and with a chance of placing on the podium she will be a favourite   with the Japanese crowd.
 

ELITE MEN’S RACE:   Final - Atkinson Wins!
  Swim: Andy Potts led out of the swim with Courtney Atkinson, Tsukasa Hirano   and Joe Umpenhour on his heels
  Bike: Group of 20 at the front led by Doug Friman, Andrew Johns, Chris Hill   and Bryce Quirk. Austrian athletes, Franz Hofer, Stefan Perg and Bernhard Heibl   lead the chase pack.
  Run: On the first 5km, Andrew Johns surged ahead of Courtney Atkinson and Bryce   Quirk, but the 2 young Aussie didn’t lay over and die - they came back to place   #1, #2, with Johns #3

ELITE WOMEN’S RACE:   Emma Snowsill wins! Swim: Loretta Harrop, Rina Hill, Laura Reback, Becky Gibb,   Emma Snowsill exited first
  Bike: Loretta Harrop and Emma Snowsill broke away on the bike and by the end   of the 40km had built up a lead of over a minute on the chase pack
  Run: Emma Snowsill dropped Loretta Harrop over the first 2 laps as Rina Hill   has moved through the ranks to finish 3rd -