THE dark horse when the women’s Challenge Cairns takes off tomorrow has never beaten Rebekah Keat or Belinda Granger over ironman distance but it doesn’t mean she can’t do it this weekend.

Keat deflected some attention Pearson’s way earlier this week while Granger, the woman known as the German tank of triathlon because she never breaks down, also rates the Tasmanian as a genuine contender.

While the two great mates will start as pre-race favourites, Pearson is hoping to be the one that spoils the pair’s party.

"I’m feeling pretty good. There’s some good girls in the field and those two are world class, but I’d like to think I’m a shot of winning it," she said after completing a preparation swim at Yorkeys Knob yesterday.

A bonafide all-rounder, Pearson’s strength is her consistency.

That means an interesting battle is ahead, considering Granger (bike) and Keat (run) both confess to favouring specific disciplines.

Granger told The Cairns Post that she planned to attack the undulating sections of the bike ride to Port Douglas.

"For me it’s all about the bike. There’s a couple of places on the bike where I will try and make a move," she said.

"Hopefully I won’t give away much time in the swim and it’ll depend how I’m feeling but I’ll try and target those undulating sections."

Granger, a member of the Australian Ironman Hall of Fame, didn’t miss her chance to heap pressure on young rival Keat.

"On paper she’s definitely got the pace, but Amelia has been fast lately too," she said.

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