And so race week of the most anticipated debut triathlon event of the season is now underway - Abu Dhabi International Triathlon (www.abudhabitriathlon.com) is a 'go'.

Your Editor is on site for the next few days, and will be bringing you regular updates both on site, and via our Twitter account. I've also secured the literary services of Dann Brook (www.dannbrook.co.uk) to bring you an athletes eyes perspective on events. Though describing himself as "the little fish in deep water", Dann secured a couple of international wins himself last season, and so we're sure he will be looking forward to testing himself against the high quality field assembled here. You can read his first update HERE.

This morning (Thursday) was the press conference launch, and featured Faris Al-Sultan, Bjorn Andersson, Phil Graves, Raynard Tissink, Julie Dibens, Yvonne van Vlerken and Virginia Berasetegui. Master of Ceremonies was a voice familiar to many Brits - Don Ryder - and as with the announcement of the event last November, was on a large scale (at least, in triathlon terms).

Everyone seemed to playing their cards pretty close, and killer quotes were hard to come by. Bjørn Andersson, infamous for his blazing biking skills (and unfortunately several run course meltdowns) was probably the most bullish: "I've been waiting my whole career for a race like this". He admitted that the event had been a big motivator over the winter, and he certainly looked in pretty good shape - perhaps having lost a few pounds too. $50,000 is a pretty good carrott I guess...

The experienced South African Raynard Tissink, who will soon be reaching the 20th anniversary of his first race said after travelling the world, racing in Abu Dhabi was an "extreme privelege to experience", and that he expected "a lot of walking and a lot of tears!" to be seen at the front end of the race. That wouldn't surprise me either, as I forecast that there will be a fair few spectacular blow-ups as athletes take a few too many risks in hammering the bike leg...20km may be 'short' relatively, but it's hardly a jog around the block either.

When questioned about her race favourite tag, Julie Dibens admitted "I've never even cycled 200km before", so while the swim-bike bias would seem suited to the double world champion Brit, simply handing her the crown in advance is indeed a little premature.

Yvonne van Vlerken (NED), as always looks lean and ready to race. After a late season Ironman win in Cozumel, she took a short break from training, and of Abu Dhabi admitted that "on paper it's made for me". The tough Dutchwomen, who holds the third fastest iron-distance time ever, said her training had gone well, and she actually felt quite rested "and felt like this before breaking the world record in Roth." While Julie certainly has the speed, I'm sure that the distance won't be a problem for Yvonne, and so that could be quite a showdown - though she is likely to have a sizeable gap to make up after the swim over the fish-like Dibens.

Not at the Press Conference - I'm guessing because he only arrived this morning - was Dane Rasmus Henning. 2009 was almost a perfect season for the former ITU star, as he won almost every race he entered - fifth in Kona being the only blemish. We can excuse that though, as he raced with a broken hand! I had a long chat to the likeable Dane, and he was in a positive frame of mind, and now fully recovered from his injuries, plus a further achilles operation undertaken shortly after Hawaii. While much has been made of Abu Dhabi being a 'bikers' race, my (virtual!) money is on the Dane to take the honours. Before his pre-Kona injury, he was my pick for the Hawaii win, and with a healthy body, proven ability in the heat, all-round swim/bike/run strength and more, if he is within five minutes of almost anyone at T2 then he has the foot speed to take home the big cheque.

Whatever happens, it should be fun to watch.