Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Triathlon's Faris Al Sultan and Andi Bocherer are hoping to qualify for the Ironman World Championships via the inaugural Ironman Regensburg race Friday.
Their intensive multi-race training regime has been building up to this moment as 27 elite athletes prepare to battle it out in Regensburg, Germany for slots at October's pinnacle event in Hawaii.
Al Sultan, the 2005 World Champion, is coming off two victories at the Kirchbichl Triathlon in Austria and the Ingolstadt Triathlon in Germany, plus a fourth place in Ironman 70.3 in Somerset, UK. Meanwhile Bocherer is coming off a second place in the annual Citytriathlon in Heilbronn.
Both are optimistic about their chances.
"I hope I can make my dream come true and win a big event in Germany. The recent success of other Abu Dhabi Triathlon Team members has motivated me," said Al Sultan, team captain known as the "Sultan of Sweat".
Bocherer added, "My main goal for Regensburg is to get a slot for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.
