IM South Africa - Sunday

Germany's Faris Al-Sultan, winner in Kona last October, and Switzerland's incredible six-time Hawaii winner, Natascha Badmann, (the defending champion in Ironman South Africa) are set to clash with the best from the African continent and the rest of the world.

Al-Sultan faces 36 pro males, including South African favorite, Raynard Tissink, a four time Ironman winner who has won titles in Austria, Canada, Korea and at home in South Africa.

Then there's super swimmer and South African multi-distance triathlon champion Glenn Gore, and his twice top-five place getter countryman Jan van Rooyen, the man who had his first ever victory in an Ironman in South Africa snatched in the final meters by Petr Vabrousek (who is back).

Other athletes to watch for include Charlie Liosel from France and Germany's Andreas Niedreg.

The women's field will see Badmann face fewer women, with just ten pro females entered. Germany's Wenke Kujala should be rated the best challenger with second places in Ironman Switzerland in 2004 and Ironman Canada in 2001. The defending Kona champion will also face a strong challenger in 2005's fourth placed Cordula Moeller from Namibia. Tenth last year, South Africa's Caroline Koll is back to better that position in 2006, with countrywomen Dominique Donner, Diane Kind and Diana Macpherson and internationals, Licie Zelenkova from the Czech Republic and Estelle Patou from France.


*From Ironmanlive