In one of the most hotly anticipated showdowns of the 2012 triathlon circuit, the world’s top female elites are making final preparations to contest next week’s season-opening US$250,000 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon.

 The women’s race is packed with first-class competitors, making for a tight fight throughout the entire 223km long course flagship competition on March 3rd.

 Caroline Steffen, ‘the Swiss Miss’ is returning to Abu Dhabi for the third time – hoping to better her second place finish last year. In 2011 she overcame injury to win six events in five countries and has been a top five finisher at the Ironman World Championships in both 2011 and 2010. With her Long Distance background, Steffen – the 2010 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championship winner - will be the one to beat.

 Also looking to make her mark in Abu Dhabi is Melissa Rollison, a relative newcomer to triathlon having only switched to the sport in 2010 after a successful athletics career. In just a short time, the Australian has managed to dominate the world’s Half Ironman circuit winning an incredible seven events, breaking course records for each and is currently 70.3 World Champion.

 "I’ve heard great things about this race and the location; I can’t wait to compete as well and see the amazing Abu Dhabi,” said Rollison. “I’m particularly looking forward to the long hot bike leg. It will kind of give me a feel of what I’m in for if I step up to the full Ironman. And having just switched to the awesome Specialized Shiv Time Trial bike, I’m excited to give it a good hit out on the long flat roads of Abu Dhabi".

 With current double champion, Julie Dibens from Great Britain sidelined with injury, a host of other top elites expect in the lead pack on race day including UK trio Leanda Cave, Emma-Kate Lidbury and Rachel Joyce, Canadian Angela Neath, and Australian Nikki Butterfield.

 One athlete hoping to cause a stir is Cave, who won her first Ironman gold at the end of 2011 and is fighting fit after a season of 13 races – of which she managed five wins. She changes between distances with ease - Ironman, Long distance, Olympic distance, Half Ironman and Duathlon - standing her in good stead for the unique Abu Dhabi distance.

 Familiar with the conditions and format of the race, as former member of Abu Dhabi team, is Rachel Joyce, who won the ITU Long Course Championships and came fourth at the Ironman World Champions in 2011. Neath, with her strong bike credentials including fastest split at 70.3 Boulder and bike course record at 70.3 Ironman Croix, as well as a string of fastest bike times in recent events, is also expected to dominate the course, which includes the Yas Marina Circuit, home to the F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

 Another athlete who will be giving her all on the bike is Butterfield - the former Under-23 World Champion and Australian Long Course Champion - who is returning to the sport after five years out as a professional cyclist in America and Europe. And not to be underestimated is Lidbury, a three time 70.3 champion who made the top 10 in her Abu Dhabi debut last year.

 And finally, newest Abu Dhabi Triathlon Team addition, joining compatriot Kristin Muller in the women’s field, is Jodie Swallow, from Loughborough, UK, who is hoping to make her mark on the emirate and her new home.

 “This event has become one of the most coveted titles to win in the professional triathlete world. It is incredibly exciting to be part of the race and doubly because I will be racing for Abu Dhabi Triathlon Team. Good luck to all who contest and I hope the event and the competitors inspire and entertain the wonderful people of the UAE,” said 2010 World 70.3 Champion Swallow, now fully recovered from injury.

 The women elite will join an impressive male field in what is expected to be the most closely fought competition outside the Hawaii World Championship. The 50 plus world-class athletes will lead nearly 1,700 amateurs in the largest ever line-up for the Abu Dhabi event.

The increased participation in the 2012 event has a lot to do with the race offering a selection of distances to accommodate athletes of all abilities. The 223km ‘long course’ boasts a 3km swim, a 200km cycle and 20km closing run, whilst newcomers can choose to tackle the ‘short’ course at half the length, with a 1.5km swim, a 100km cycle and a 10 km run.

 The sprint course offers a 750m swim, a 50km bike and 5km run. Both the short and sprint distance also offer the option of a relay entry, encouraging like-minded friends, families and colleagues to take up the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon challenge.

The unique course offers the sport’s most picturesque setting; starting in a clear blue lagoon, biking on the famous Yas Marina Circuit and then ending on the sweeping shores of the Corniche.

Key Men’s field

Andi Boecherer (GER)
Andrew Starykowicz (USA)
Bryan McCrystal (IRE)
Bryan Rhodes (NZ)
Chris Lieto (USA)
Clayton Fettell (AUS)
Dan Halksworth (UK)
Dirk Bockel (LUX)
Eneko Llanos (SPA)
Erich Wegscheider (USA)
Faris Al-Sultan (Team AD) (GER)
Fraser Cartmell (SCO)
Frederik Van Lierde (BEL)
James Cunnama (AUS)
Jeremy Jurkiewicz (Team AD) (GER)
Johann Ackerman (FRA)
Jo Spindler (GER)
Leon Griffin (AUS)
Luke Bell (AUS)
Maik Tweisiek (Team AD)
Michael Davidson (SA)
Niclas Bock (GER)
Nicolas Munoz (ESP)
Paul Ambrose (Team AD)
Rasmus Henning (DEN)
Sam Hsieh (Short Distance) (TAI)
Stephen Bayliss (UK)
Swen Sundenberg (Team AD) (GER)
More to be announced...

Key Women’s field 
Angela Neath (CAN)
Caroline Steffen (SWI)
Christie Sym (CAN)
Daniela Sammler (GER)
Emma-Kate Lidbury (UK)
Eva Nystrom (SWE)
Emi Sakai (JAP)
Heather Wurtele (CAN)
Jodie Swallow (Team AD) (UK)
Kristin Moller (Team AD) (GER)
Leanda Cave (AUS)
Lisa Ribes (USA)
Lucie Zelenkova (CZE)
Melissa Rollison (AUS)
Michelle Bremer (NZ)
Nikki Butterfield (AUS)
Rachel Joyce (UK)
Rachel McBride (CAN)
Silvia Felt (GER)
More to be announced... 

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