ITU World Cup Lausanne
Lausanne, Switzerland
Saturday, August 31, 2002
1.5k swim, 40k draft legal bike, 10k run
www.triathlon.org

Vancouver, Canada: Siri Lindley (USA) is in Lausanne looking for her 4^th victory in as many starts against a tough field of international women. Meanwhile on the men's side a virtual who's who of the triathlon world is lining up to contest the 8^th event in the 2002 ITU World Cup series.

It has been another golden year for American Siri Lindley with 3 World Cup titles already to her credit and over half the season still to come. Lindley has been victorious on this course twice in the past and will be looking to re-claim the titles she won here in 2000 and 2001. Standing in her way is current European Champion and bronze medallist at the Corner Brook World Cup, Kathleen Smet (BEL), Commonwealth Games silver medallist, Leanda Cave (GBR) and runner-up to Lindley in Corner Brook, Jill Savege from Canada. Olympic champion, Brigitte McMahon has also been working her way back to the top this season and will be looking to perform well in front of a hometown crowd in Lausanne.

One of the hottest fields of the season will be on hand for the men's event as Swiss favorite, Reto Hug attempts to defend his 2001 title. However, it won't be an easy task for Hug as he's up against some of the best men in the world. Gamagori World Cup winner and Edmonton silver medallist, Greg Bennett (AUS) will lead the challenge along with teammates Miles Stewart (who recently captured the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games) and Chris McCormack who was second to Hug last year. 2000 winner, Andrew Johns spends much of his season training in Switzerland and is well suited to the challenging Lausanne terrain. Others to watch out for include newlywed Craig Watson (NZL) who took the bronze medal at last year's worlds, Martin Krnavek (CZE) and Bevan Docherty (NZL) who has been on the podium twice already this season and was third here last year.

The newly designed Lausanne course consists of a 2 lap (1500m) lake swim, a challenging 6 lap (40km) bike and a 4 lap (10km) run along the lake. US$60,000 in prize money will be awarded to the top 20 men and women along with valuable ITU World Ranking points, the primary means of qualification for the ITU World Championships and the Olympic Games. The women hit the water at 12noon while the men take off at 5:30pm.

Complete start lists can be found on the ITU website at www.triathlon.org and don't forget to tune in on race day for live event coverage via the web. For further information please contact ITU Headquarters at: ituhdq@triathlon.org or Tel: 1.604.926.7250