Triathlon’s top talent has come together on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia for the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championship taking place on September 4. Boasting one of the most competitive professional fields in the sport, history can be made in this weekend’s marquee event.
“It’s hard to miss the incredible talent that will be represented here on the Sunshine Coast this weekend,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer for Ironman (a Wanda Sports Holding company). “The best triathletes from around the world have traveled to this incredible location and will surely put on a spectacular show while soaking in the stunning coastline.”
Headlining the women's professional race is two-time defending Ironman 70.3 World Champion and last year’s Ironman World Champion, Daniela Ryf (CHE). With Ironman 70.3 Dubai and Ironman 70.3 Switzerland victories added to her resume already this year, Ryf looks to set a record by securing her third consecutive win at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship. Also vying for the title is 2016 Mainova Ironman European Championship and 2011 and 2013 Ironman 70.3 World Championship winner Melissa Hauschildt (AUS). Ryf and Hauschildt both have an opportunity to become the first triathletes to win three Ironman 70.3 World Championship titles and will push the pace for the rest of the field.
 Daniela Ryf, Mel Hauschildt and Caroline Steffen(Photo: Ironman; click to enlarge) |
“Sleeping in my own bed the night before the world champs is pretty cool,” said Hauschildt. “Also having all my friends and family there watching will be a real treat. The majority of my races are overseas so my family rarely get to see me race live.”
Adding to the mix of talented women is last year’s Ironman 70.3 World Championship runner-up and 2015 Ironman 70.3 North American Pro Championship, St. George winner Heather Wurtele (CAN). Also included among this year’s favorites is local resident Caroline Steffen (CHE) who has won three Ironman Regional Championship events, and Holly Lawrence (GBR), winner of the 2016 Subaru Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant and Ironman 70.3 Vineman triathlons.
On the men’s side, an equally determined group will seek to win this year’s title with Sebastian Kienle (DEU) leading the pack. Kienle, the 2014 Ironman World Champion and two-time Ironman 70.3 World Champion will also vie with Craig Alexander (AUS) to become the first person to ever win three Ironman 70.3 World Championship titles. Alexander who is the veteran of the field is no stranger to success having also won three Ironman World Championship events.
“Even though it is not very warm I’m shaking a bit. I’m not hot but I’m sweating and my heart rate is 120 at rest, and that’s not just the good coffee,” said Kienle. “For me, it’s the World Championship and I absolutely love this feeling of being nervous.”
 Sebastian Kienle(Photo: Ironman; click to enlarge) |
Many will be keeping their eye on Lionel Sanders (CAN) who burst onto the scene in 2014 and has steadily made his way to the top ranks with wins at five Ironman 70.3 events in 2016, including the Ironman 70.3 North American Pro Championship in St. George. Tim Reed (AUS) and Andi Dreitz (DEU) will both add to the mix of competition with Dreitz taking second at the 2016 Ironman 70.3 California-Oceanside and Ironman 70.3 Texas triathlons followed by an impressive victory at the Sparkassen Finanzgruppe Ironman 70.3 European Championship presented by Mainova in Wiesbaden, Germany. Meanwhile Reed has had a successful 2016 campaign with titles at Ironman Australia and the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship Cebu.
The 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championship triathlon will offer a $250,000 total professional prize purse which will be distributed to male and female first through tenth place finishers.
In addition to the competitive professional field, approximately 3,000 registered age-group athletes representing more than 80 countries from around the world are expected to compete at this year’s Ironman 70.3 World Championship. In order to qualify, more than 130,000 age-group athletes competed to earn slots at over 85 Ironman 70.3 events held worldwide.
Live race coverage of the 2016 Ironman 70.3 World Championship can be viewed on www.ironman.com.
