Steffen seeks 3rd straight Ironman title

LAPU LAPU, Cebu--Swiss Caroline Steffen goes out for a third straight title in the women's Open while Kiwi Cameron Brown seeks to capture his first here Sunday when the Cobra IronMan 70.3 Philippines fires off at the scenic beachfront of the Shangri-La's Mactan Resort and Spa here.

Steffen, who spearheads the Alaska Tri-Aspire Team, faces a seasoned Belinda Granger of Australia and a slew of smaller stars and pretenders while Brown is looking to win in the Phl after ending up sixth last year on this exact same route and third three years ago at the CamSur Water Complex in Bicol.

“I'm always excited to be here and race in this beautiful place and warm people. I'm expecting another enjoying race," said the 35-year-old Steffen, nicknamed Xena or after the main star of the popular television series "Xena: The Warrior Princess."

Steffen will be put to the test again by the likes of Granger,  2011 champion and 2012 runner up, last year’s second placer Bree Wee and Katya Meyers of the United States, Katya Rave of Germany, Dimity Lee Duke, Rebecca Hoschke and Michelle Wu of Australia and Monica Torres, the country’s lone entry in the Open division.

Aussie Pete Jacobs, who won it here three times including in 2010 and 2011 in Camsur, begged off in the last minute to concentrate on the relays as he is preparing for the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, rendering the men's Open side a wide open race.

Brown is expected to face tough challenges from Canadian Brent McMahon, Aussies Eric Watson, Matt Burton, Michael Murphy, Sam Betten and Justin Granger and South Korean Kaon Cho.

A record field of 2,600 from 40 countries across all seven continents vying in what promises to be a gut-wrenching test of speed and stamina among the world’s leading and rising triathletes at the Mactan beach here.

“The sport has grown tremendously in the Philippines but we are also attracting triathletes from all over the world with over 40 countries and all seven continents represented for this year’s event,” said Alaska Milk and Sunrise Events, Inc. president and CEO Wilfred Steven Uytengsu.

The event is sponsored by Alaska Milk Corp., Aqua Sphere, Asia Miles, Cathay Pacific, Century Tuna, David’s Salon, Devant, Gatorade, Globe Telecom, GU Energy Gel, Intercare, Kenneth Cobonpue, Asics, 2Go, Oakley, Pinkberry, Prudential Guarantee, Safeguard, Suarez and Sons, Inc., Timex, Finisher Pix and Shangri-La’s Mactan Resorts and Spa.

The Philippine STAR, MultiSport Magazine and ABS-CBN Sports Action are media partners with BE Resorts, Crimson Resort and Spa, Movenpick Resort and Spa and Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino as hotel partners.