US soap opera legends Katherine Kelly Lang and Don Diamont, from hit CBS show The Bold and the Beautiful will compete in this year’s Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, which takes place on 15 March 2014.
Katherine Kelly Lang will compete in the Individual short course (1.5km /.93 mile swim, 100km / 62 mile bike, 10k / 6.2 mile run) while Diamont will captain The Bold and the Beautiful Tri Team, taking on the swim leg in the shimmering turquoise waters off Abu Dhabi’s picturesque Corniche beach.
Lang is the longest running cast member of the award-winning US TV show, playing the lead role of Brooke Logan, while Diamont is the hit show’s dashing debonair Bill Spencer Jr. Lang will be raising money for ‘Breakaway from Cancer’, while Diamont will be fundraising for The Don Diamont/Alyssa Mazur Foundation.
Faisal Al Sheikh, Director, Events Bureau, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), which organises the annual event, said: “Unbeknownst to many of her fans, Katherine is also a talented sportswoman and triathlete and has been persuaded to join us on the Corniche line-up adding an additional touch of glamour to our existing super-star line-up.
“This will be Don’s triathlon debut and we’re thrilled it’s being made in Abu Dhabi.”
Last year was one of athletic achievement for Lang, who in August won her age group category in Los Angeles’ Hansen Dam Triathlon. In September she came third in the celebrity division of the Malibu Triathlon and a month later won her age group in the Los Angeles Triathlon.
Lang is hoping to continue her winning streak with a podium finish in Abu Dhabi.
“I’m really excited to be competing in Abu Dhabi," she said. "I’ve heard it’s one of the world’s most beautiful and challenging triathlon courses and I’m planning to head over ahead of time to get in some training and take full advantage of the spectacular surroundings.
“This year I’m really stepping up my triathlon training with my end goal to compete in Ironman Hawaii in 2015. Here’s hoping my Abu Dhabi experience will set me up well and help me prepare for the challenging year ahead.”
Lang lives and breathes sport, spending her days off playing tennis, windsurfing, mountain bike riding, horseback riding and competing in triathlons. She owns several horses and competes in 25 mile and 50 mile cross-country endurance races.
She’s also familiar with the region, placing third in Qatar’s International Desert Marathon in 1996.
Prior to joining the American TV soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful, Diamont had a 22-year stint on CBS’ daytime mega-hit, The Young and the Restless, which cemented his status as one of the US’s most recognised soap stars.
Diamont is also the only Daytime Actor to feature in People’s Magazines 50 Most Beautiful & Sexiest Man Alive issues.
Looking ahead to the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon next month, Diamont said; “When Katherine told me she was taking part, I jumped at the chance to join her!
"As this is my first triathlon, I’ll be competing as part of a relay team which I think is the perfect way to experience a triathlon event and get a feel for what’s in store.
"I’m competitive by nature so, who knows, next year I may come back and do the full thing!
“Here’s hoping the spectators get behind The Bold and the Beautiful Tri Team as we take on this exciting challenge!”
The Bold and the Beautiful Tri Team will compete to raise money for The Don Diamont/Alyssa Mazur Foundation at UCLA’s MS Research and Treatment Center.
Diamont founded the Foundation to raise funds for MS research after his niece, Alyssa, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The National Multiple Sclerosis Society named Diamont Ambassador of the Year for his devoted work and efforts to help find a cure for this crippling disease.
Other stars scheduled for the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon starting line include Olympic Champion Alistair Brownlee and his brother, 2012 World Champion Jonathan.
