COMPETITORS from across the state, nation and world will converge on Busselton this weekend to compete in the SunSmart Ironman. A stalwart of the Asia Pacific triathlon scene since 2004, the event has become renowned among competitors as the place to go if you are searching for a personal best time with a flat bike and run course. Since the first event 11 years ago, the event has grown in stature to become widely recognised as a world class event. It is also a must-do for those hoping to qualify for the 2016 IRONMAN World Championships in Kaliua-Kona, Hawaii with 40 qualifying spots on offer. Locally the Busselton Triathlon Club has been hard at work preparing for this year’s even. Club president James Washbourne said the club have been actively providing information to local, interstate and international athletes and supporters to ensure they are ready fro the big day. He said Busselton has once-again put together a strong contingent of competitors to tackle the gruelling challenge. “Each athlete has their own motivation for undertaking the event with each dedicating a large number of hours over many months to prepare themselves,” he said. “Some of the Busselton Triathlon Club members have said the training is harder than competing in the event but at the end of the day, every hour of practice is worth it. “For some it is a life challenge, for some it’s about ticking off a bucket list item and for some it is the job of participating with their fellow triathletes.” Washbourne said there are a number of local athletes to keep your eye on. “Maureen Hufe will look to impress in the female professional event along with John Weber (75-79 years age group), Richard Dipane (40-44), Belinda Denis (35-39), Jacinta Wright (18-24) and Mick Bray (45-49) who has entered his 20th Ironman event. Last year's men's champion Denis Chevrot from France will hope to defend his title this weekend but he will have to contest with a strong field.  He will start favourite after claiming the SunSmart Ironman 70.3 event in Mandurah four weeks ago.  Hoping to take the title from him is Australian Tim Reed and David Dellow, who finished third in 2013.  The professional female field is also star-studded with Dutch athlete Yvonne Van Vlerken hoping for redemption after a bike crash cost her a place on the podium in 2014.  America's Sarah Piampiano, who placed seventh at the Ironman World Championships, will push for a podium finish along with last year's runner-up Mareen Hufe from Germany.  Another competitor to watch is father of two Richard Jones. Jones decided to compete as a way of raising money for the Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin Foundation, launched by the Sydney Morning Herald last year to honour three children who tragically lost their lives on flight MH17. The Maslin siblings Mo, 12, Evie, 10 and Otis, 8, were onboard the Malaysian Airlines flight on July 17, 2014 with their grandfather Nick Norris when is was struck by a missile flying over Ukraine. The crash killed everyone onboard including 34 other Australian citizens and residents. News of the event deeply affected people across the country including Jones who was a close family friend of the Maslin’s for a number of years. “In 2006 when my wife and I moved to Western Australia we met the family and not a day goes by where I don’t think about the impact this loss has had on everyone,” he said. The 35-year-old, who now lives in Geelong, has never attempted a full distance Ironman before and has been training between eight and 20 hours a week under the guidance of coach Darren Franken from Elite Triathlon Performance Australia. “Together with shift work and my own family life you have to try and run a pretty tight and disciplined schedule,” he said. “Triathlon can been deemed as a bit of a selfish sport but there is no way you can get through it without the support of your family, friends and most importantly, my wife.” Jones, along with the rest of the competitors will hope to complete a 3.8 kilometre swim, a 180 kilometre bike ride and a 42.2 kilometre run. The foundation set up in the name of the Maslin children assists other children with dyslexia and learning related difficulties through early childhood intervention. Jones is aiming to raise $10,000 and a number of donations sees him close to the target. To donate click here. The event gets underway on Sunday with the male professionals hitting the water at 5.30am.  The female professionals will start three minutes later with the age group mass starting at 5.50am.  The first male professional finisher is expected to finish at 1.45pm with the first female professional due at the finishing line about 2.45pm.  The last finishers are expected to cross the line at 10.50pm.  For more information about the 2015 Busselton Ironman visit the official website here. 
