Triple world champion and new mum Mirinda Carfrae returning to ironman racing
US based Australian Mirinda Carfrae will return home to test herself for the first time over the ironman distance since starting a family as she kicks-off her bid to become our greatest ever iron triathlete.
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US based Australian Mirinda Carfrae will return home to test herself over the ironman distance for the first time since starting a family as she kicks-off her bid to become our greatest ever iron triathlete.
The triple world Hawaii ironman world champion and mother of six-month-old Isabelle will make her much-anticipated return to ironman racing at the Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship at Cairns on June 10.
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The race will mark Carfrae’s only race over the full 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run ironman distance prior to another tilt at the world title on October 13.
She will contest half distance races from next month in a search for speed and race fitness prior to the Australian race.
Both Carfrae and Sydney’s Craig Alexander have won three titles each in Hawaii on what is regarded as one of the toughest multi-endurance courses in the world.
With Crowe retired from racing in Hawaii the way is open for Carfrae, who has made the podium in six of her seven Hawaii ironman assaults, to collect a record fourth crown in October this year.
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“I’m hungry for it. I haven’t been on that top step in Kona since 2014 and every year the women’s field gets stronger and faster,’’ said Carfrae, whose husband Tim O’Donnell will also race in Cairns.
“But that doesn’t scare me. Instead it inspires me to rise to the challenge.
“I’m not afraid to say that I want to be back on top, and I believe I have what it takes to make that happen,”
Carfrae is returning to the racecourse after a year out to give birth to her daughter and says she is enjoying the challenge of both new motherhood and reigniting her career.
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“Taking time off to start a family has been the most rewarding experience of my life,’’ Carfrae said.
“But I can’t deny my competitive fire, and my drive to push myself to new levels of performance.
“Now, as Izzy’s mum, I’m more motivated than ever to make every training session matter and to race to my best ability for my little family.’’