The FINANCIAL — Having successfully completed the third stage of naseba seven, University of California at Berkeley graduate Scott Ragsdale heads to the United Arab Emirate of Ajman today, as the triathlon challenge reaches its halfway point,according to nasaba7.
Possessing an area of just 100 square miles, Ajman is the smallest of the Emirates by land mass. Scott started this morning at 7.00am by swimming adjacent to Ajman beach, and after a swift transition is cycling across the breadth of the city. He will complete today’s triathlon later this evening by running the required 42 km – which will see him circumnavigate the fishing vessel-laden Ajman port.
Although you would expect all eyes to be on one individual during the week-long challenge across all seven Emirates of the UAE, Scott is quick to point out that the contributions of his supporting team are invaluable in his quest to succeed.
His training programme has been designed by Austrian Mario Huys, a professional coach with more than 30 years’ expertise in sports and fitness. He is a former professional triathlete and 42 times Ironman finisher, with a personal best of 8 hours and 19 minutes. Mario is also a world record holder for double Ironman – achieving the feat with a time of 19 hours and 54 minutes.
Huys’ coaching highlights include Olympic gold medallist and double Ironman winner Kate Allen; European and French triathlon champion Philip Methion; Hawaiian Ironman Champion – Belgian Luc Van Lierde; international triathlon and duathlon winner Daniel Hechenblaickner, and Yvonne Van Vlerken from the Netherlands – a world duathlon and Ironman champion.
The lion’s share of Ragsdale’s 11-man support team are camping in tents every night, as an ode to the traditions of the UAE which is celebrating its 40th anniversary the weekend after naseba seven has finished. Two members have made the 4,500 mile trip all the way from the UK specifically to support the American. All three are members of the same UK-based triathlon group – the Pirate Ship of Fools – and all wear a striking yellow and black coloured skull and crossbones whilst competing.
Another key member of the team is the on-site doctor, who is ensuring Scott is properly assessed at the end of each day. This is particularly important given the recent knee operation he underwent, and the injury he suffered following a crash during practice four weeks ago.
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