Ironman 70.3 Auckland Pro Womens Preview

At the inaugural race in 2013 Annabel Luxford absolutely dominated the women’s field. She was leading out of the water and put time into the likes of Meredith Kessler and Caroline Steffen on both the bike and the run. Despite some simply outstanding results in 2013, Luxford still considers herself somewhat of a long-distance rookie. We expect 2014 to be an even bigger year for Luxford as she continues to push her boundaries over the 70.3 distance.  Luxford will go into Sunday’s race as a strong favourite over some fierce local competition. After coming 3rd at the 70.3 World Champs Luxford backed up to beat the 70.3 champion a week later over the same distance.

Catriona Morrison had a very consistent 2013 which included a number of podiums and wins over the 70.3 distance, including the tough, humid St Croix 70.3. Morrison is coming off a win at the Port of Tauranga Half where she ran a sharp 1:21 half-marathon. We expect Morrison to race strongly and contend for a podium spot.

Kiwi Sam Warriner is an experienced racer who doesn’t appear to have slowed one iota since giving birth to her first child. She took out the Cairns Airport Ironman 70.3 Cairns in 2013,  and dabbled in some ITU racing at the evergreen age of 42. Warriner will need a strong bike performance to challenge for the win, but we expect her to be up at the pointy end of the race all day.

Kiwi legend Jo Lawn is another athlete with the potential to challenge for a podium position. Lawn is again preparing for Ironman New Zealand in March with the hopes of securing an eighth title.  With another consistent year behind her, Lawn will, like compatriot Warriner, look to the bike for a strong result.

Australian Rebecca Hoschke has had a good domestic season so far with a second at the Murray Man half, and a win at Challenge Forster. The reigning Ironman Australia champion will have been working hard with coach Grant Giles to prepare for the this race and hopefully to improve on her eighth place here in 2013. After leaving her full time job late in 2013 Hoschke has been putting more time in to her training and we look forward to seeing the results of this on Sunday.

Australian-based Japanese ITU veteran Kiyomi Niwata will be near the front out of the drink but will need to work hard to stay within touch the likes of Luxford, Morrison, and Warriner on the bike if she is to challenge for a podium. With a few second-placings in 2013 over the 70.3, the swim-run specialist will be looking to start 2014 with a strong result at the Asia-Pacific Champs.

Coming off a podium finish in at Canberra 70.3, Brisbane native Kym Jaenke will join the likes of Michelle Bremer and Michelle Wu as darkhorses who have the potential to nail a big performance on Sunday.

• Annabel Luxford (AUS)
• Catriona Morrison (SCO)
• Hannah Lawrence  (NZL)
• Jo Lawn (NZL)
• Kiyomi Niwata (JPN)
• Kristy Hallett (AUS)
• Kym Jaenke (AUS)
• Melanie Burke (NZL)
• Michelle Bremer (NZL)
• Michelle Wu (AUS)
• Rebecca Hoschke (AUS)
• Sabrina Mohn (SUI)
• Sam Warriner  (NZL).