Alistair Brownlee, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, is confirmed to participate in IRONMAN South Africa shortly after competing in the Singapore T100. Despite narrowly missing the podium in his first race of the season in Miami, Brownlee aims to secure Kona qualification on April 21, amidst a formidable start list that includes renowned names like Daniela Ryf and Cameron Wurf.
Brownlee, who hasn’t raced a full-distance event since his victory at IRONMAN Sweden in 2022, relies on his proficiency in middle-distance races over the past year and a half. His track record of winning three out of four Ironman races he’s entered showcases his experience over the distance, with hopes of clinching one of the coveted spots for the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona.
Facing stiff competition, Brownlee contends against South Africa’s own Matt Trautman, a previous podium finisher at this event, along with Mathias Petersen and Rasmus Svenningsson, who secured third and fourth place respectively in the previous year’s race.
Cameron Wurf, known for his exceptional biking prowess, poses a formidable challenge with the fastest bike split recorded in South Africa last year. Another strong contender is Australian Josh Amberger, renowned for his swimming and biking abilities, who is also slated to compete in Singapore.
Despite the proximity of the South Africa event to his recent race in Singapore, Brownlee’s participation remains uncertain. However, a strong performance in Southeast Asia followed by a successful Kona qualification in South Africa would indicate his return to top form and optimal health.
Daniela Ryf, a ten-time IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, has declared this year her final season in the sport. Ryf seeks to secure her spot for Nice in South Africa after commencing her season in Miami, drawing upon her past victories in the Eastern Cape, including the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in 2018 and the IRONMAN African Championship in 2017.
Accompanying Ryf on the start list is German Daniela Bleymehl, the 2022 champion, along with established long-distance professionals Susie Cheetham and Diede Diederiks, adding to the competitive field set to grace the Eastern Cape.
