Hawaii ironman 2016: Craig Alexander tips Mirinda Carfrae, Mel Hauschildt one-two
TRIPLE world champion Craig Alexander is backing Mirinda Carfrae to go one better than him and create race history at the Hawaii ironman — if an Aussie bolter doesn’t spoil her day.
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TRIPLE world champion Craig Alexander is backing fellow Aussie Mirinda Carfrae to go one better than him and create race history at the Hawaii ironman triathlon — if an Aussie bolter doesn’t spoil her day.
In a field of world class internationals, including numerous previous winners and placegetters, men’s record holder Alexander believes Carfrae and Hawaii ironman debutant Mel Hauschildt are the women to beat in the lung-busting annual race on Sunday.
“Mirinda will be breathing fire,” Alexander said of the only other Australian triathlete to have won three Hawaii crowns.
“She has an incredible record here. Six medals, including three wins, from seven starts.
“She knows better than anyone what needs to be done here.’’
Carfrae was forced out of last year’s race with back injuries sustained in a bike crash three days before the annual event on the Big Island of Hawaii which is raced through lava fields, traditionally in strong winds and high humidity.
Alexander, who finished sixth at the world long course titles despite being ill late last month, no longer races the Hawaii ironman. But he knows the race and competitors better than anyone.
It’s why he has warned Hauschildt could cause one of the biggest upsets seen in recent years in the gruelling 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run race.
“She has the tools for it,” he said of the relatively recent recruit to triathlon, who won the first of her two world half ironman crowns in 2011 — just a year after taking up the sport.
“To be honest I think they will both be on the podium this year.
“When Mel races, she usually wins, or goes very close.’’
The race is expected to take close to nine hours for the women with Carfrae the course record holder with her stunning 8:52:14 in 2013.
Australia’s hopes in the men’s race are with former silver medallist Luke McKenzie and recently crowned world 70.3 half ironman champion Tim Reed.
Also racing an age group category is burns survivor Turia Pitt.
HAWAII IRONMAN TRIATHLON
#When: Sunday October 9.
#Where: Kona, Hawaii.
#Distance; 3.8km swim, 180km cycle, 42.2km run.
#Women’s favourite: Mirinda Carfrae, Australia.
#Men’s favourite; Jan Frodeno, Germany
#More than 2300 competitors will race.
#70 per cent (1,683 athletes) are male. 30 per cent (718 athletes) are female.
43 is the average age of registrants this year
#Hiromu Inada (Japan) is the oldest participant at 83. Hiraya Shun (Japan) is the youngest at 19.
Originally published as Hawaii ironman 2016: Craig Alexander tips Mirinda Carfrae, Mel Hauschildt one-two
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