The path that Pete Jacobs plans to follow back to Hawaiian Ironman triathlon greatness goes through Ballarat.
The 34-year-old is determined to regain the form that took him to the 2012 Hawaiian world title.
He has struggled for form, fitness and good health since becoming one of only six Australians to win at Hawaii.
Most recently, Jacobs was forced out of the race two months ago because illness had interrupted his training.
Now Jacobs wants to use the Ballarat 70.3, or half-Ironman, race as a springboard back to top form.
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"I'm aiming to start my comeback to winning form in Ballarat, and more consistently than before," Jacobs said.
"My focus for next year is to get back to Kona, but my first aim is to win and be consistent over 70.3 racing for six months.
"Then I will approach the Ironman beast based on how things are going.
"But I will be aiming for winning form in Kona one way or another."
The race is a 1.9km swim in Lake Wendouree, followed by a 90km cycle and a 21.1km half-marathon run.
Jacobs will be up against a strong field also featuring Victorian Luke Bell and Ballarat brothers Jamie and Ben Huggett.
German Per Bittner is racing a week after finishing third at Ironman WA in Busselton.
Australian Luke McKenzie won Busselton in a scorching seven hours 55 minutes - the fastest time for the distance in this country.
Now McKenzie will watch his American partner Beth Gerdes race in Ballarat.
Her opposition will include in-form Australian Annabel Luxford and Yvonne Van Vlerken from The Netherlands, also third at Busselton.
