NewsBadmann's back: Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa 2007
The six-time Ford Ironman World Champion highlights a competitive field
Published Friday, January 19, 2007
World-class triathletes will take to the field at the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa 2007 on March 18 in Port Elizabeth. Highlighting the field will be Natascha Badmann, the six-time Kona champion, but an exciting men's race between defending champion Gerardus Schellens and Raynard Tissink is also in the cards. Organizers expect a field of 1,700 athletes in the event.
Six-time Swiss Ford Ironman World champion, Natascha Badmann, will return to the starting line to defend her title in the women's race. Badmann will be hoping for her third consecutive victory in the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa, after dominating the women's race last year. She finished comfortably in 9:46:43, securing a 24-minute lead over second placed Diana MacPherson from South Africa. Badmann also holds the current course record in the women's race for her remarkable 9:23:51 win in 2005.
Schellens currently holds the record for a phenomenal marathon time of 2:48:05 at Ironman South Africa 2006.
The Belgian athlete shocked many by beating Tissink and Faris Al-Sultan to the line last year. This year Tissink will be intent on settling the score, while Schellens is adamant to fend off any claimants to the title.
The action-packed race starts at 7am on Hobie Beach, Port Elizabeth, and we’ll have lots of great coverage right here on Ironman.com.
