Craig Alexander, Emma Moffatt Highlight 70.3 Geelong Start List

A strong group of Australian triathletes will test their early-season fitness at this weekend’s Ironman 70.3 Geelong in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. The pro fields are highlighted by three-time Ironman world champion Craig Alexander (AUS) and two-time ITU world champion Emma Moffatt (AUS).

“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Geelong to race,” Alexander said in a press release from the race. “It is a great place to race, the waterfront venue is awesome and I have good memories there, winning two 70.3’s and a couple of medals at Aussie titles.”

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Defending Ironman 70.3 Geelong champion Christian Kemp and dual Olympian Courtney Atkinson are also on the start list.

Atkinson, who made the transition from short course to 70.3 last season, will again step up in distance taking on Ironman Melbourne in a little over a month.

“My goals in 2014 season are focused around trying to master the full Ironman distance race and come October be competitive in Kona,” Atkinson said in the press release. “Geelong 70.3 will provide a great early hit out to evaluate just where my body is at with the new focus on the Ironman.”

Atkinson’s Olympic teammate Brad Kahlefeldt has traveled the same path, switching to the longer distance and also enjoying instant success, but is determined to put his demons aside after withdrawing from this race last year in the bike leg.

Olympian and two-time ITU world champion Emma Moffatt will be the headline act in the women’s race as the Beijing bronze medalist is hoping to go one better than last year.

“I did Geelong 70.3 last year (finishing second) as a race to end my base training phase,” Moffatt said. “Initially I said I’d never do another one, but I’m all entered and eager to race! Last year I mixed drafting races with non-drafting and really enjoyed the change, so after Olympic-distance long course is something I’d like to take more seriously.”

Moffatt’s 2014 season will be a mix of Olympic-distance and 70.3 races.

“I’ll be doing be quite a few ITU World Series races, Glasgow Commonwealth games, and also hoping to qualify for Ironman 70.3 World Championships and finish the season back in Australia with the Nepean and Noosa triathlons,” she said.

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See the complete start list below:

Men
2 Craig Alexander AUS
4 Tim Reed AUS
5 Courtney Atkinson AUS
6 James Hodge AUS
7 Sam Appleton AUS
8 Clayton Fettell AUS
9 Brad Kahlefeldt AUS
10 Tim Van Berkel AUS
12 Casey Munro AUS
13 Josh Rix AUS
15 James Seear AUS
17 Bradley Clark AUS
18 Kieran Roche AUS
19 Joerie Vansteelant BEL
20 Tom Rodgers AUS
21 Benjamin Williams USA
22 Patrick Baldacchino AUS
23 Luke Whitmore AUS
24 Michael Poole NZL
26 Peter Robertson AUS

Women
30 Emma Moffatt AUS
31 Lisa Marangon AUS
32 Laura Siddall GBR
33 Rebecca Hoschke AUS
34 Michelle Wu AUS
35 Kym Jaenke AUS
36 Kiyomi Niwata JPN
37 Tineke Stewart NZL
38 Julia Grant NZL
40 Kristy Hallett AUS
41 Jessica Fleming AUS

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