BE13 champs go Oceanside this weekend

Manama, Apr. 4 (BNA): "Expect some white-hot fast racing this weekend as Bahrain Endurance 13 athletes Holly Lawrence, Ben Kanute, and Daniela Ryf line up at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside." Lawrence competes at this early season major race annually and has already collected gold, silver, and bronze medals. Last year the California-based British athlete broke her foot and still took the runner-up position. This year, fully healthy, she will again be a force on the course. "It’d be awful not to race Oceanside as it’s only two hours away from where I live in Los Angeles -- so it’s kind of a home race!" says Lawrence, who now begins her season in earnest after her comeback wins at Ironman 70.3 Bahrain last year and Ironman 70.3 Dubai in February. "My 2019 goals are definitely all about being my best for Ironman 70.3 Worlds in September. So after Dubai I had a little break and will be building throughout the year." Kanute makes his Oceanside debut looking to race a competitive field early in the year and take the sole qualifying spot for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship. The American says, "From what I have seen and heard, this course suits my strengths. It seems like each leg has its own challenges, and I know the competition will make it a fast race. I always enjoy a tough race and I know between both the course and competitors it will be just that." In early March, Ryf announced her intention to compete in Oceanside as part of a race block that also includes Ironman Texas. After training camps in Gran Canaria and back home in Switzerland, she is bound to show up fit and ready for this first race of her season.