JORDAN, Aqaba The 2006 ITU World Cup triathlon series continues this Friday, March 10th in Aqaba, Jordan.  Preparations are almost complete as local organisers get set to host the International Triathlon Union (ITU) in what is considered the largest ever international sporting event to be held in Jordan.

We are very excited to bring our sport here to Aqaba, said ITU President Les McDonald.  To bring our sport to countries such as Jordan, Qatar and South Africa is ground breaking for the development of triathlon around the world.

Ninety-two athletes will be surrounded by four countries when they dive into the Gulf of Aqaba on Friday to chase the 100,000USD prize purse.

Doha World Cup silver medallist Joelle Franzmann (GER) is the top ranked woman on the start list however Vanessa Fernandes (POR) is the pre-race favourite with seven World Cup wins in the past three years, the most recent being the 2005 season finale in New Plymouth, New Zealand.  With them will be Aussie Maxine Seear who is hungry for a good result after a crash last week forced her to withdraw from the race.

In the mens event, David Dellow (AUS) will look for his first podium finish after watching it slip through his fingers in the dying moments of last weeks Doha World Cup.  Top ranked Mark Fretta (USA), who finished second in Doha, and former two-time world champion Ivan Raa (ESP) are also ones to watch.

Full start lists are available at www.triathlon.org.

The women start at 9:00am local time (GMT+2) while the mens race is scheduled for 12:30pm.

Live coverage of the 2006 ITU Aqaba World cup will begin at 08:30 local time (GMT+2) on Friday. Coverage of the second world cup of the season will include live video, audio commentary, live images, full live timing and text updates. Simply visit www.triathlon.org and launch the live coverage.

The 2006 ITU World Cup series continues on March 26th at the ITU Mooloolaba World Cup triathlon in Australia.