OCEANSIDE, Calif.-Two-time Ironman World Champion Luc Van Lierde (Belgium) has pulled out of the Ralphs California Half Ironman for unspecified reasons.

Jasper Blake (Canada), Francois Chabaud (France) and Andrey Yastrebov (Ukraine) will all compete in the 2004 Ralphs California Half Ironman, set to take place on Saturday, April 3 in Oceanside and on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

Blake has been in the top five at Ironman Canada twice in his career, having finished second in 2002 and fourth in 2000 at the Penticton event. Blake was also sixth at the Ralphs California Half Ironman in 2002. Chabaud won Ironman France back in 2002 and finished sixth overall at the 2002 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.

Yastrebov finished second overall at Ironman Florida in 2003 using a strong marathon time of 2:50:27 to run down the field. The trio are among the favorites in a very strong men's field set to compete at the Oceanside event.

The Ralphs California Half Ironman triathlon takes place for the third time in Oceanside and on neighboring Camp Pendleton. More than 2,000 athletes from around the world are expected to compete. Athletes will be competing for 20 qualifying spots to the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, as well as a $25,000 pro prize purse. For more information on the Ralphs California Half Ironman, log onto www.ironmancalifornia.com.

St Croix Half Ironman
ST. CROIX, V.I.-Defending champion Craig Alexander (Australia)) will return to face strong competition at the St. Croix Half Ironman, set for May 2, 2004.  Leading the field of international challengers are Cam Brown (New Zealand), recent winner of Ironman New Zealand, Chris Legh (Australia), Oscar Galindez (Argentina) and Christian Bustos (Chile).

The men will be competing for their share of a $50,000 purse, and the chance to join the list of legendary former winners of the St. Croix event, who include Mark Allen, Mike Pigg, Greg Welch and Luc Van Lierde. Age groupers will be competing for 30 Ironman World Championship Qualifying slots.  There are still a small number of entry slots available, and athletes can enter at www.stcroixtriathlon.com.