ABERDEENSHIRE’S Bella Comerford is confident she can retain the women’s title in the Ironman UK triathlon championship at Sherborne Castle, Dorset, tomorrow.
She also hopes her fiance, Stephen Bayliss, can upset Aberdeen’s Scott Neyedli in the men’s competition.
Comerford, who spends most of her time training and competing overseas, has been in outstanding form this year.
The Tarland athlete has posted impressive wins in the ironman South Africa and Lanzarote races and clocked the third quickest time by a woman in history, 8hr 51min, when finishing second in the Austria race.
Bayliss has also enjoyed some fine performances and the couple are hoping for a double victory on British soil this weekend.
Comerford said: “We are both in good form and looking forward to the race. I had a great ironman win in the French Alps at the EmbrunMan ironman three weeks ago so I know I am very fit and strong.
“Stephen was second in the men’s race so he’s also on form.
“Of course, Stephen and I are going for the double and we’ll be doing everything in our power to make that happen. It would be a magical day for us.”
If Bayliss is to win he will have to get the better of Neyedli, who pipped him for the title last year.
Neyedli said: “I’m looking forward to a good solid performance.”
Both men will have to look out for another north athlete, Fraser Cartmell, from Forres, is making his ironman debut, having produced a series of top level performances at the half distance.