Craig Alexander planning Kona comeback?

Australian champ considering return in 2015

Published: January 16, 2014 at 11:35 am

Aussie athlete Craig Alexander has told local media that he is considering coming out of retirement to make one more bid for victory at the Ironman World Champs in 2015.

The three-time Kona champion, 40, announced his retirement from Iron-distance racing last year after placing 23rd in Hawaii, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.

However, according to Australia's Daily Telegraph, he still thinks he can win in Kona one more time, saying a return is a "definite possibility for next year with a longer lead-in.''

His first race of this year will be the Ironman 70.3 Auckland race taking place this weekend, where he will be targeting a top-five finish, according to the Telegraph.

Alexander won't be the first Kona champion to be coaxed out of retirement: US tri legend Dave Scott famously returned to the punishing race in 1994 at the age of 40, placing second behind Greg Welch (AUS).

And it appears the numbers may be on his side too: a recent study by Swiss researchers found that the average age of Kona winners has been rising steadily over the past two decades.

Do you think Craig Alexander can win one more time in Hawaii? Let us know in the comments below!