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McConnel says he’s underdog in XTERRA
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Posted on Apr 16 2009
Jim McConnel of Great Britain considers himself as the underdog among professional triathletes competing in the XTERRA Saipan Championship and the Tagaman Triathlon.
McConnel, who is looking for his first XTERRA win, finished second to Sam Gardner of United Kingdom two weeks ago in Guam.
“Saipan has always been a challenging course. It’s an endurance test,” McConnel said during a recent interview.
He will be going up against the likes of Andrew Noble of Australia, Mike Vine of Canada, and Gardner.
Noble won the Tagaman in 2007 and the XTERRA in 2008 while Vine won the inaugural XTERRA in 2002.
He is coming back for the first time since that victory on Saipan.
McConnel said he will just try his best and hope for some good luck. He admitted he came in second in Guam because of the small number of participants in that race.
McConnel finished fifth on Saipan in 2007.
“Definitely I’m fit. I’m 100 percent fit for the race. I’m happy for being here and join the fun. I’m feeling strong, he said.
Some 12 pros are expected to join the race including two-time world champion Julie Dibens of Great Britain and four-time winner Renata Bucher, also of Switzerland, in the women’s division.
Dibens placed second to Bucher in 2007 but she won Tagaman that year.
This year, however Dibens will not be competing in the Tagman because of another commitment in a triathlon event in Florida.
The XTERRA Saipan Championships will be held this Saturday, April 18, while the Tagman is set on April 25.
Over a hundred participants are expected to join the two events including local triathletes.
A strong field of Japanese athletes will be led by two professionals—Takahiro Ogasawara and Taro Shirato.
