Manama: Bahrain Endurance 13 Elite Team athletes are gearing up to participate in several important international championships in different countries under the directives and support of Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, chairman of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and president of Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Challenge Poznan will see power couple Jodie Swallow and James Cunnama in action. This is the first time they are racing together since Ironman South Africa.
Swallow has since been in Colorado to complete a training block while Cunnama raced in the Asian circuit. The couple is now reunited in Girona, Spain.
Cunnama has heard good things about Challenge Poznan from his coach and team manager Chris McCormack, who will also be present.
“Challenge Poznan in Poland will be a first for me and I am looking forward to ticking a new country off the list,” said Cunnama.
On the other hand, Swallow looks forward to racing after overtraining forced her to scrap a planned assault on Challenge Roth.
“After an enforced sabbatical due to health problems it will be good to get going again and cement a foundation to begin my most important block of the year, World Ironman Championship build-up,” said Swallow.
Meanwhile, Ironman Canada has attracted Bahrain Endurance 13 Elite Team stars Luke Bell and Paul Ambrose.
Doing well at the race can seal the deal for qualification for the Ironman World Championship. The course in Whistler is not for the faint hearted, and both athletes have been building up to this race for months.
“I love the course and venue for the race, and my preparation has been great. Looking forward to what I can do come Sunday,” said Ambrose.
After a mid-season break in May following his second place at Ironman Australia and overcoming sickness, Bell relocated to Boulder to begin his six-seven week strength-based build up for Ironman Canada.
After missing Kona last year due to knee surgery, Bell is determined to be on that start line and in podium form, despite chasing points all year.
However, his focus is on this weekend’s race.
“Although the Hawaii Ironman World Championships are always the goal for all Ironman athletes, Ironman Canada is an integral part of the plan and an important event on the schedule,” said Bell.