Australian Craig Alexander has been crowned King of Hawaii three times. In 2008, 2009 and 2011 he dominated the premier Ironman event of the year, the Ironman in Kailua-Kona. He also started last year with great ambitions, but was unable to fulfill them. In the end he came in 23rd place.
After the race, 41-year-old Alexander had actually intended to end his endurance racing career. However, as he told the Daily Telegraph in an interview, the chances of him competing again in October 2014 aren't bad at all. As a three-time winner, he wouldn't even need to qualify. Moreover, Alexander believes he can win the race again.
As he further explains in the interview, he will initially focus on middle-distance triathlons this season. His race program kicks off with the Ironman 70.3 Auckland this coming weekend. Jan Frodeno, the short-distance Olympic champion from Beijing, and the strong New Zealander Terenzo Bozzone are also expected to compete.