Steffen, Duke brace for tight showdown
Swiss Caroline Steffen and Aussie Dimity Lee Duke set out for another interesting clash as they banner the women’s elite cast in the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay presented by Big Boss Cement Sunday.
The veteran campaigners are seeking to snap a spell in local endurance racing with Steffen out to improve her runner-up finish to Czech Radka Kahlefeldt in the recent second Alveo Davao where Duke struggled to finish fourth.
But both are coming into the 1.9km swim-90km bike-21km run event brimming with confidence, like New Zealand’s Laura Wood, Manami Iijima of Guam and Lisa Tyack, another star from Down Under.
“I’m excited to return to Subic for the fourth time,” said Steffen, who is also using the event as part of her buildup for the World Championships.
Duke, on the other hand, hopes to use her familiarity with the course where she also reigned in a 5150 event while placing second to compatriot Liz Blatchford in the first Philippine full triathlon last year.
Focus will also be on the men’s side with Nick Baldwin of Seychelles eyeing another win in the country’s triathlon capital.
Close to 1,000 triathletes will also battle it out for top honors in various divisions, including the Asian Elite and the 12 age group categories.
