Nikki Butterfield returned to Long Course Triathlon with a bang this time last year, mastering the bike to win the women’s Abu Dhabi International Triathlon.
With the confidence of a big win in front of one of the deepest fields assembled outside of Kona Nikki seemed on track for some more memorable results in Ironman.
But an eighth place at Ironman Switzerland and a DNF at Ironman Frankfurt meant the Australian pro would not make the start list for Kona.
Butterfield returns to Abu Dhabi as one of the most intriguing studies in this year’s race, and she must again face up to another stellar Women’s Field, which includes Caroline Steffen, Melissa Hauschildt, Tenille Hoogland, Heather Wurtele and Michelle Vesterby among others.
Last year Butterfield rode a tactically brilliant race, forcing the agenda at all costs and putting her competition under the pump before extending her advantage on the run.
Hauschildt and Steffen on paper appear to be Butterfield’s two biggest threats, but Wurtele is going to be athlete to beat after her win at Ironman 70.3 Panama a couple weeks back.
This is going to be a seriously enthralling Women’s Race, and organizers are excited to see what Butterfield brings after missing Kona in 2012.
