This weekend will see the inaugural Challenge Weymouth event take place on England's south coast. Alongside the 1500 age group competitors racing over both the Challenge full and Challenge half distance races, a strong pro field of 12 men and seven women will vie for the top spot on the podium.
There are several contenders for the men's race, with several British pros lining up to compete for the title. Joe Skipper is one of the favourites, following a breakthrough performance with his second place at Ironman UK earlier this season, which included a 2 hour 48 minute marathon. Having posted a superb 4 hour 20 minute bike split in Florida last year, he has shown he has the pedigree to deliver a strong performance. Joe has already spoken in an earlier interview with tri 247 about his intention to target the British iron distance record, which currently stands at 8 hours, 1 minute and 29 seconds, set by Paul Amey at Ironman Arizona in 2011. With the current prediction from the local Weymouth residents being for a favourable wind direction on the bike, this weekend could present a prime opportunity for him to do just this.
However, he will not have it all his own way, and is likely to face a strong challenge from both Joel Jameson and long time pro Stephen Bayliss. Having been edged in to second by Bayliss at Challenge Henley in 2012 and to third in 2013 when Tom Lowe took the win, Jameson will no doubt be looking to reverse the result this time round. However, with Bayliss's experience from over 10 years competing as a professional triathlete, and posting seven sub 8:30 Iron distance finishes along the way, this will be no easy feat.
There are also a number of pro men, including Tom Vickery and Phil Mosley, taking on the Challenge full distance for the first time, who could provide an upset to the more established athletes.
The women's race will also see a tough competition between the seven pros lining up at the start. Gabriella Zelinka will be on a high after winning the women's event at the Challenge Vichy triathlon at the end of August, but it will be interesting to see how she has recovered to face the full distance again so soon after. Michi Harlbauer should be challenging for the top spot after a strong season including a sub 10 hour performance at Ironman Austria, and will also have been buoyed by her third place finish at the Challenge Walchsee-Kaiserwinkl two weeks ago as well. Keeping up the British representation will be Eleanor Haresign, and Joanna Carrit, with Joanna also coming in to the race strong from a third place finish at Ironman UK earlier this year.
The racing can be followed live via the website at www.challengetriuk.com. With the pro race starting at 6:30am on Sunday 14 September, and updates being posted throughout the race.
