Faris Al-Sutlan talks (03.10.2011)

For the 12th time already Faris has set foot on the magical island in the Pacific. He is full of excitement and optimistic expectations, which doesn’t come as a surprise as this place as well as the race have changed his life a lot. With his victory in 2005 and two third places before and after his victory he is definitely one of the most successful triathletes. What he expects in 2011 can be read here.

Faris, you have been in Tucson, Arizona, with your teammates Rachel Joyce and Swen Sundberg. How was it?
The conditions in Tucson were pretty good. It was probably a bit too warm and a 50m pool was missing but everything else was ok. My training was almost perfect. There was hardly a session which did not work out the way I wanted it. That makes me confident.

How do you feel when you think of the World Championships which will be in a few days?
I look forward to competing in the race of the races. I am fine and Hawaii is a race I really like. When the plane touches ground here on the island, I get goose pumps. I would like to keep that feeling as long as possible. That is the reason I come just a week before the race.

2009 – 10th, 2010 – 10th, 2011 – 10th?
I hope it will be better than that. In 2008 my run was really bad, 2009 it was not better. But last year it the run was ok. Though I could not perform on the bike. It looks much better this year in both disciplines.

Do you think the race will be different than last year?
Fewer athletes at the start line mean more space and there is more focus on those who are there.

Was your preparation different from last year?
In the years when I trained in San Diego before Hawaii I developed a training system. I went back to that way of training. Last year I worked with Andi Böcherer’s program. It seems that the San Diego structure works better.

Will Kona be your last race of the season?
Yes, I think so. My season started in March and now it’s October. It has been a pretty long season and I need some time off. I do not want to race all year long and I look forward to the time after Hawaii.