Reigning Ironman Australian Triathlon Champion, Sydneysider Chris McCormack, has confirmed he is fit and ready to defend his title on April 6, 2003 at Forster, NSW. Speculation that the young champion may forgo Australia's most prestigious event to prepare for the lucrative US season did not eventuate as “Macca” signed with IMG to appear at the race for the next two years.

“It's great that Chris is returning to Forster to defend his Australian title, as this is the biggest stage for Australian triathletes to shine. It gives the Aussie fans an opportunity to see one of our best athletes going head to head against some of the best Ironman triathletes in the world.

“We also feel it is important for Chris' career to return to the Australian Ironman to help both his
development as an Ironman, and his quest to become the World Champion in Hawaii. This is why we offered him a two-year deal, as it shows our commitment to assist local talent in the long term,” says IMG Director of Triathlon, Dallas O'Brien.

McCormack won the 2002 Ironman Australia event in fine style, defeating one of the best fields assembled in Forster, which included Olivier Bernhard, Peter Reid, Jason Shortis, Chris Legh and his good friend Craig Walton. McCormack then went on to conquer the US circuit, taking out the prestigious Wildflower and Escape from Alcatraz titles. McCormack then led the Commonwealth Games triathlon until 5km into the run before fading to fifth place. He then moved to Switzerland to prepare for the 2002 Hawaii Ironman World Championships.

Racing the only way he knows how - from the front - he proceeded to take on the legends of the Hawaii Ironman on their home turf of Kona. Leading for much of the day the inexperienced McCormack found out just how cruel that event can be, fading on the run to a point where he had to pull out of the race. Not discouraged, McCormack has vowed he will return to the Big Island
and win. Just as past Hawaii Ironman champion Peter Reid did in 1998, he will attempt to win in Forster again before launching his quest for the Ironman World Champion crown in 2003. Ironman Australian Triathlon Champion Chris McCormack is currently in Australia training for this year's April 6 event.