Crack women’s field eyes World slots

An ace from Germany seeing action in Asia for the first time will banner 12 other women seeking the centerpiece title in the Ironman (IM) 70.3 that gets off the ground on Sunday in Lapu-Lapu in Cebu City.

“This is my inaugural IM 70.3 in Asia and I anticipate a challenging race,” Anne Reischmann, a three-time Top 10 finisher in the 70.3 World Championships, said. “I’ve heard many positive reviews, particularly about the energetic crowds along the run course. So, I’m definitely excited.”

More than 1,300 entries will make up the starting field on Sunday as slots to the VinFast World Championship in Taupo, New Zealand, in December—45 of them in total—will be staked for various divisions.

Australian Aleisha Wesley, holder of multiple titles in duathlon, sprint and standard distances, is listed as a chief threat and is determined to clinch her first IM 70.3 crown after a fifth-place finish in Melbourne last year.

Duke in field

Familiar Philippine campaigner and multi-titled Dimity-Lee Duke will try to relive her past triumphs, including a breakthrough win in Subic 5150 in 2017.

The United Arab Emirates’ Lottie Lucas, who finished third in last year’s IM 70.3 Davao, is also expected to contend, along with Els Visser of the Netherlands, who placed 15th in last year’s World Championships and recently secured a runner-up finish in the IM New Zealand.

Others tipped for success are Hungary’s Zsanett Bragmayer, who finished 12th in the Tokyo Olympics and who will be making her 70.3 debut, sophomore pro Leanne Szeto of Hong Kong, who claimed second overall in her age-group in the IM 70.3 Desaru Coast in Malaysia last year, and Kiwi Angharad Llewellyn, who posted a 12th place effort in her maiden IM 70.3 event in Geelong in the Oceania circuit last month.