Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant Set For Sunday

Quebec’s Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant is set for this Sunday and will feature a strong pro lineup. The scenic ski-resort area, located 90 minutes north of Montreal, will also be hosting the 2014 Ironman 70.3 World Championship, which will give this weekend’s racers an advantage come Sept. 7.

The Course:
Mont-Tremblant will host three Ironman-branded races this year: the Ironman 70.3 on Sunday, the Ironman North American Championship on Aug. 17 and the Ironman 70.3 World Championship on Sept. 7. Even though the location has only been a race site for a few seasons, it’s quickly become a popular destination for North American triathletes due to its scenic and challenging course, its family-friendly locale and its pedestrian-friendly layout (the finish line is located in the heart of Mont-Tremblant, literally steps away from dozens of hotels, restaurants and shops). The starting beach and transition area are also only a short walk away.

The 1.2-mile swim starts from the beach at Tremblant Lake, and it’s followed up for a one-loop, 56-mile bike through the area’s picturesque mountains. The run course finishes in the town’s pedestrian village, making it an easy venue for spectating. This weekend’s race features 100 age-group qualifying slots to the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in September.

The Men’s Race:
Highlighting the men’s pro field is reigning champ Terenzo Bozzone of New Zealand, who’s had multiple Ironman 70.3 podium finishes in the last year and a half, including an impressive runner-up finish at the 2013 Ironman 70.3 World Championship, which was held in Lake Las Vegas, Nev. But in order for the 2008 Ironman 70.3 world champ to defend his title, he’ll have to outrun three-time Wildflower Long Course champion Jesse Thomas (USA), who after taking a year off due to surgery, came back in April to three-peat at Wildflower. Bozzone, who’s also a former Wildflower champ, and Thomas are both suited to the rolling and varied terrain of the Mont-Tremblant course. Other top competitors who could easily podium are Canadian Trevor Wurtele, who was fourth on this course last year; Canadian Jeff Symonds, who was third in the 2011 Ironman 70.3 World Championship; and Aussie Leon Griffin, who’s finished on multiple 70.3 podiums this season.

Pro Men
Damon Barnett (USA)
Terenzo Bozzone (NZL)
Patrice Brisindi (CAN)
Ed Cyr (CAN)
Andrew Fast (USA)
Nigel Gray (CAN)
Leon Griffin (AUS)
David Kahn (USA)
Simon Malo (CAN)
Sean Sullivan (USA)
Jeff Symonds (CAN)
Jesse Thomas (USA)
Trevor Wurtele (CAN)

The Women’s Race:
Multiple top women from last year’s race are returning, including Montreal native Magali Tisseyre, who was second on this course last year and won it in 2012. The multiple Ironman 70.3 champ will face tough competition from three-time Xterra world champion (and fellow Canadian) Mel McQuaid, who was third on this course last year and is fresh off a win at Ironman 70.3 Boise on June 8. Other tough competition will come from American Meredith Kessler, who has won the competitive Ironman 70.3 St. George the last two years; Canadian Sara Gross, the 2014 Ironman Brazil champion; and Great Britain’s Julie Dibens, the former Xterra and 70.3 world champion who’s making a comeback following surgery. Last year’s fourth-place finisher, American Amber Ferreira, and fifth-place finisher, Canadian Annie Gervais, also have a good shot at the podium.

Pro Women
Julie Dibens (GBR)
Amber Ferreira (USA)
Annie Gervais (CAN)
Sara Gross (CAN)
Meredith Kessler (USA)
Jennifer Lentzke (CAN)
Cindy Lewis (CAN)
Melanie McQuaid (CAN) – B.C.
Lisa Mensink (CAN)
Ayesha Rollinson (CAN)
Laura Siddall (GBR)
Caroline St. Pierre (CAN)
Magali Tisseyre (CAN)
Suzanne Zelazo (CAN)