As if the absence of the defending champion Courtney Atkinson was not enough, there’s more good news for participants of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines, after it was officially announced yesterday that another top contender, Pete Jacobs, is also not competing in the individual race this Sunday.
The three-time Philippine champion said he will instead be competing in the relay competition together with his wife, Jamielle.
“I’m competing in the relay,” Jacobs said during the meet the pros event at The Marquee of Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa. “[I’m] a little bit sore from a couple of races that I did the last two weekends. So I’m just doing the bike leg and my wife will do the bike and the swim leg,” Jacobs added.
This news leaves Century Tuna 5150 champion Casey Munro of Australia, 9-time New Zealand Ironman winner Cameron Brown, and Brent McMahon as the top contenders in the men’s pro race.
Meanwhile, defending women’s pro champion Caroline Steffen expressed confidence of retaining her crown this Sunday.
“It feels pretty good to win, that’s why I’ll do my best to win again,” the multi-titled Swiss told CDN.