Abu Dhabi: A record 1,855 athletes from 62 countries over six continents - including the strongest ever line-up of elite professionals - will descend on the UAE capital for the third annual US$250,000 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon on Saturday.
With a 22 per cent field increase on 2011, this year's event, organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, has again proved itself to be one of the fastest-growing events in the sport worldwise.
The event will have first time representation from countries such as Argentina, Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Iceland, India, Japan, Lebanon, Macao, Mauritius, Morocco, Poland, Romania, Seychelles, Trinidad & Tobago and Zimbabwe.
And with 50 of the world's best professionals - who have notched up a combined total of 16 World Championship titles, 47 European titles, 102 national titles and 76 Ironman wins, plus more than 500 podium places - lined-up for a shot at one of the sport's richest purses, this weekend's flagship 223km ‘pure power' race is likely to be the most hotly-contested to date.
"To continue seeing strong growth across all platforms for this event is encouraging, both for the future of the sport in the Middle East and for our own efforts in establishing Abu Dhabi as a leading winter training destination," said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.
"With more than 900 athletes flying into the emirate specifically for the event, it is also a great opportunity to demonstrate Abu Dhabi's burgeoning credentials as a performance athletics hub, which we hope will continue to spur interest in both this event and the destination as a whole."
The formats with the biggest increases in 2012 sign-up are the recently introduced sprint and relay events, which underlines the sport's growing popularity with first-timers looking to break into the sport. The relay short course - a 1.5km swim, 100km cycle and a 10km run - has grown by 134 per cent from 2011, whilst the numbers taking on the feeder relay sprint distance - 750m swim, 50km bike and 5km run - have also more than doubled.
In addition, GCC numbers have swelled to 979 athletes signed up, an increase of 27 per cent over 2011, with the biggest growth coming from the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar.
And, according to Al Sheikh, this rise is down to the sport's development over the last few years.
"The Abu Dhabi International Triathlon has definitely helped spur grass-roots uptake of the sport here in the region and continues to lay strong foundations for its future. This is clearly evidenced by the sport's governing body recently announcing that triathlon and mixed relay would be included in the 2015 Arab Games in Lebanon. This undoubtedly will lead to a whole new generation becoming involved with the sport in the Middle East," he said.
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority has also put out a rallying call to all fans to come down and cheer on the competitors. A huge free-to-the-public programme of events is running on the Corniche beach finish line. Spectators can watch the action on a giant screen or try their hand at winning great prizes on the ‘beat the elite' bike challenge. There will also be dancers, fire breathers, jugglers, stilt walkers and traditional Ayala dancers.
One man expected to pull in a good following is Abu Dhabi debutant Chris Lieto, the American who has 80 triathlons and 15 victories under his belt, including three Ironman wins and three top 10 Championship finishes, including a second place in 2009.
Also looking to defend his crown is returning champion, Belgium's Frederik Van Lierdre. He will face strong competition from double Abu Dhabi podium finisher Dirk Bockel of Germany, five times World Cup winner Rasmus Henning of Denmark, first year champion Eneko Llandos of Spain and local hero and Abu Dhabi Triathlon Team captain Faris Al-Sultan.
The women's race is also packed with first-class competitors. Caroline Steffen is returning to Abu Dhabi for the third time and is hoping to better her second place finish last year. She faces tough competition from British trio Jodie Swallow, Emma-Kate Lidbury and Rachel Joyce, Canadian Angela Neath and Australians Leanda Cave, Melissa Rollison and Nikki Butterfield.
The Abu Dhabi International Triathlon begins at 6.30am on the Abu Dhabi Corniche Beach. The first male elites are expected to cross the finish line at 1.30pm.
