MANILA – New Zealand's Sam Kingsford seeks a breakthrough win in the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu which kicks off on Sunday in Mactan Newtown, Cebu.

Kingsford, who has eight years of professional racing experience, finished fourth last year.

She is expected to face a strong challenge from compatriots Paige Carnage and Amelia Watkinson, and Australians Lauren Hume, Sophie Malowiecki and Sarah Thomas in the competition featuring 1.9km swim, 90km cycling, and 21km run events.

The 21-year-old Carnage has reached the podium at the Port Macquarie 70.3, while Watkinson is known for her skills and mental toughness honed through years of top-level racing in Asia and beyond.

Hume won in Cairns and Port Macquarie, while Malowiecki was runner-up in Sunshine Coast last year. Thomas has been competing in elite races for the past 10 years.

Kazakhstan’s Katya Sabalina, with over a decade of international experience, will be making her debut in the IRONMAN 70.3, the premier half-distance triathlon in the country. (PNA)