2 pros pull out from Cobra Ironman race

ALL professional participants of the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines were in attendance during yesterday afternoon’s “Meet the Pros” at the Marquee of the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa except for two.

Organizers announced that New Zealand’s Terenzo Bozzone and Australia’s David Dellow have both withdrawn their entries due to injuries.

This would have been Bozzone’s chance to recapture the Pros title, which he clinched during the inaugural Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines held in Camarines Sur in 2009.

Introduced to the media yesterday were two-time Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines defending champion Pete Jacobs of Australia; defending champion Belinda Granger of Australia; Switzerland’s Caroline Steffen of Team Alaska; United States’ Amanda Stevens, Australia’s Ali Fitch also of Team Alaska; New Zealand’s Cameron Brown; Australia’s Michelle Wu; Australia’s Justin Granger; Hong Kong’s Erich Felbabel and Philippine-based Dan Brown and Mathieu O’Halloran.

Jacobs, who is gunning for a three-peat, said his bid will boil down to a good run. Jacobs’ forte has been the run segment. He added that the weather will also play a factor especially in the swim and bike segments of the race.

Granger, on the other hand, said that the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines is a great race and that it is the only place in the world wherein athletes are treated so well. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON