Cash lure for battle of sexes

By NICOLE JEFFERY

05jul02

A "BATTLE of the sexes" race in the US, offering record prizemoney, will serve as the final lead-up race for Australia's Commonwealth Games triathletes before they arrive in Manchester later this month.

The $US185,000 ($330,300) Lifetime Fitness Triathlon in Minneapolis on July 20 will offer $US50,000 to the winner of a race in which the men's field will be handicapped to start eight to 12 minutes behind the women.

Former world champion Miles Stewart has declared Olympic team-mate Loretta Harrop early favourite for the major prize.

Australia's six-pack of world champions - Stewart, Harrop, Nicole Hackett, Michellie Jones, Peter Robertson and Chris McCormack - have entered. The race will be contested over a course comprising a 1200m swim, 30km cycle and 8km run - slightly shorter than the Olympic and Commonwealth distance.

Stewart, fresh from victory in the Sorak International Triathlon in South Korea last weekend, predicted the race would attract the best field since the Olympics.

"It's going to be a hard hit-out with one of the best fields ever assembled," he said. "We're professional athletes and if the money's there we will be there, too. I race the Commonwealth Games, Olympics and world championships for medals but every other race is for money."

English multiple world champion Simon Lessing, New Zealanders Hamish Carter and Craig Walton and Belgian former Hawaiian ironman champion Luc van Lierde are among the starters.

"It's the biggest race in the world this year, and the biggest prizemoney I have ever raced for," Stewart said.

But what of the prospect of being beaten by a woman?

"I am not worried about that," Stewart said. "It's quite possible - I believe the girls will win. Loretta is sometimes finishing within 10 minutes of us and this race is shorter than the Olympic distance."

World champion Robertson, who left for the US yesterday, said the Minnesota race would provide a good guide leading into the Commonwealth Games.

"I haven't been beaten by a girl since my first triathlon, but if the women take out the top five and I beat every guy there, I will be pretty happy with the result," he said.

The Australian