Tom Lowe faces tough challenge in Louisiana
A packed Ironman 70.3 weekend of four races this Sunday, with the Oschner Ironman 70.3 New Orleans one of those that has British interest in the Pro ranks too. With three North American races on the portfolio this weekend and three weeks until the next round of 70.3 racing, it is not surprising to see that the Pro fields are a little lighter in depth than some races we have seen so far this season, but the quality still remains at the front end of proceedings, with New Orleans one of the strongest on the schedule.
Former British Ironman record holder Tom Lowe kicks off his 2014 campaign here, and will hope it starts with the form he ended 2013 with. Most of 2013 was, to be frank, staggeringly underwhelming for 'The Lung', but he rescued that with a late season win at Challenge Henley followed by a second place at Challenge Barcelona. Lowe took third in New Orleans two seasons ago - a year in which high winds resulted in a cancelled swim and duathlon format - and with some of the swim speedsters lined up this time, he might secretly be hoping for a repeat of that...
Race #1 is held by Canadian Trevor Wurtele, who came close to repeating his 2012 win when he pushed Andreas Raelert very close last season. The term horses for courses exist fro a reason, and Wurtele is right at home here. What's more, his post-race video 'reports' are always worth a watch!
Hot favourite surely has to be Andy Potts. Brilliant swimmer of course, but Potts is pretty much the complete package at the 70.3 distance. Stopped only be a red hot Jan Frodeno from securing yet another win at 70.3 California two weeks ago, Potts is in form once again and has the capacity to win solo from the front or to bring it home strongly on the run. A class act with plenty of cards to play.
USA's Ben Hoffman is a four time Ironman Champion and an especially strong rider - with punctures ending his races at Oceanside, he has every motivation for wanting to get a solid result onto his 2014 resumé.
Plenty of other names to throw into the mix including Mads Vittrup-Pedersen (DEN) - one of the few men to have recorded a sub 2:40 iron-distance run - Chris McDonald (AUS) and Kiwi Mark Bowstead among a starlist of 26 Pro Men.
Pro Women
The women's race sees 2013 (Haley Chura) and 2012 (Sarah Piampiano) champions return. Chura is the 'Potts' of the ladies race here in the swim sense, having lead the field out in Kona last year - and in pretty much every race she does. Piampiano doesn't have that strength in her arsenal, but will either be inspired (or tired...) from a third place last week at 70.3 Texas, which featured a race best bike split and solid run to finish just behind training partner Emma-Kate Lidbury. She's going to need that with a significant swim deficit likely.
The field is primarily US athletes with a sprinkling of international talent, but with no obvious standout favourite, there will be good percentage of those lining up thinking that a podium finish is a realistic option. That in itself should generate an interesting race.
2013 Results
Pos
Male
Female
1st
Andreas Raelert (GER) 3:46:54
Haley Chura (USA) 4:18:20
2nd
Trevor Wurtele (CAN) 3:46:59
Amy Marsh (USA) 4:20:39
3rd
Santiago Alves Ascengo (BRA) 3:50:48
Kristin Andrews (USA) 4:22:59
2012 Results / Report
Pos
Male
Female
1st
Trevor Wurtele (CAN) 3:23:51
Sarah Piampiano (USA)3:43:58
2nd
Richie Cunningham (AUS) 3:24:04
Heather Wurtele (USA) 3:45:53
3rd
Tom Lowe (GBR) 3:24:05
Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 3:47:28
Race Status (KPR / 70.3 PR ranking) = P 500
Pro Prize Purse = $15,000
FULL PRO START LIST