Once again in 2012 Communication Specialists are off to the world famous course of Abu Dhabi for the International Triathlon to sponsor this fabulous event with communications. There are some changes this year to accommodate the growth of the event. The swim has been relocated to the public beach in the centre of Abu Dhabi. This means that each discipline will leave from the same place and there will only be one transition. The bike course will leave the Corniche and weave through the unmistakable scenery of the city of Abu Dhabi, featuring tree-lined roads, landscaped parks and gardens and the sparkling waters of the Arabian Gulf, which surround the city, all under the safety of completely closed roads.
To the east of the city the bike route passes over Saadiyat Island and on to another attraction sure to whet the appetite of the cyclist; the brand new sports and leisure island known as Yas Island. Here athletes in the short and long course will cycle round the Yas Marina Circuit which hosts the penultimate race of the F1 season.
The run course remains unchanged, heading west along the Corniche out onto the breakwater with stunning views back to the city on the return leg. Athletes will finish on the public beach.
The Distance of the Triathlon
Abu Dhabi Long Distance 3km Swim – 2 laps, 200km Bike, 20km Run – 2 laps
Abu Dhabi Short Distance 1.5km Swim – 1 lap, 100km Bike, 10km Run – 1 lap
Abu Dhabi Sprint Distance 750m Swim, 50km Bike, 5km Run
Team Relay (Short Distance) 1.5km Swim – 1 lap, 100km Bike, 10km Run – 1 lap
Team Relay (Sprint Distance)
Abu Dhabi Triathlon Team
Tackling the course with you will be The Abu Dhabi Triathlon Team. The team features seven of the world’s leading triathletes, headed by Abu Dhabi resident and 2005 World Ironman Champion, Faris Al-Sultan. The other members are: Swen Sundberg, Andi Böcherer, Ina Reinders, Pete Jacobs, Jan Van Berkel and Rachel Joyce
With the exception of Pete all the team took part in the 2010 event. In the long course distance, Faris and Andi were in the prize money finishing 6th and 8th respectively, whilst Swen took 15th place. Unfortunately, Rachel had to pull out after a nasty foot injury in T1. In the short course distance there was double delight for the team with Ina Reinders and Jan Van Berkel taking the women’s and men’s titles respectively.
They will all return to the event in 2012.
The team is the fourth arm to the Team Abu Dhabi initiative which was successfully launched by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) early last year. They join the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, Team Abu Dhabi F1 Powerboat Team and Team Abu Dhabi Hannes Arch (Red Bull Air Race) – taking the emirate’s name worldwide across land, sea and air.
