January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Naude twins favourites for triathlon title
Naude twins favourites for triathlon title
With reigning champion Tyler Butterfield off the island, the South African brothers look the strongest competitors in the event, which starts at 9:30am at Albouy's Point on Sunday.
Modest Evan Naude, who won the event in '05 but sat out last year, insisted he'd be happy with a top three spot. He expects his brother Riaan to be his main rival. "It's normally pretty close between the two of us. We have a good rivalry. I enjoy it as long as he doesn't beat me, I guess.
"We push each other but there's no pressure really. There's no harm in losing to him."
The Naudes are the clear favourites in most observers eyes but Evan insists it is not a done deal. "The competition is very stiff. You've got John Legge who is a very strong swimmer. I know I'm going to have to make up a lot of ground on him.
"Ashley Couper's husband Chris Estwanik is a really strong runner so I'll need to open up a cushion on him on the bike."
Estwanik, a former US Olympic hopeful, clocked a 15:07 time on the 5k run in last week's team triathlon (41 seconds faster than next best - Naude) but is not noted for his prowess on the bike.
Steve Petty, the race director and president of the Bermuda Triathlon Association, reckons Kent Richardson is another solid contender. Petty backed Kim McMullen and Julia Hawley as the main female contenders[[In-content Ad]]
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