Europe Triathlon

The Turkish city of Alanya is ready to host the 2013 European Triathlon Championships.

The President of the Turkish Federation, Hamdi Gunes, has already spoken of his desire to host the best ever European Championships and it is with much excitement and anticipation that well over 1,200 athletes across Elite, Junior, Paratriathlon and Age Group competitions head to Turkey for these Championships.

Over the next few days, we will be reviewing all the events taking place across three days of action and we begin with the Elite’s.

ELITE WOMEN PREVIEW

A mouth-watering start list line up for the Elite Women’s race and if form is anything to go by then Great Britain’s Non Stanford will be the one to watch.

Her international results since winning the U23 World title in Auckland last October read: 1st Quarteira European Cup, 2nd World Triathlon Series San Diego, 1st World Triathlon Series Madrid.

She is quite simply in supreme form and if she can maintain her standards then the rest of the field will have a battle on their hands.

Similarly, Germany’s Rebecca Robisch is also in excellent form. She has finished second in every International race in 2013, at Quarteira, Antalya and Cremona.

Will it be 4th time lucky for Robisch to take top spot? Although cementing a podium place in a European Championship, where her previous best has been 14th in Athlone in 2010, would be a huge result for the German.

Agnieszka Jerzyk (POL) also comes into the race in fine form following victory at the ITU European Cup in Banyoles early last month.

But the saying goes: form is temporary, class is permanent and among the field is a dearth of talent and experience and the likes of Vendula Frintova (CZE), Emmie Charayron (FRA), Rachel Klamer (NED) and Ainhoa Murua (ESP) are but a handful of contenders.

2011 European Champion Emmie Charayron (FRA) couldn’t quite defend her title in Eilat but still secured a third place podium finish. Murua (ESP) was runner up last year and already has a podium place under her belt this year from Banyoles.

2011 runner up Vendula Frintova (CZE) hasn’t raced on European soil since the World Series race in Stockholm in August last year but is a quality performer.

Elite Women Start List

The Elite Women’s race will start at 1600 on Friday, 14th June.

For live coverage of the 2013 European Championships - visit www.triathlon.org/live

NB: Non Stanford has withdrawn from the European Championships after publication.