Butterfield feeling at home in Abu Dhabi

Tyler Butterfield is acclimatizing well in the Middle East as he prepares for the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon on Saturday.

It’s the first race of the season for Bermuda’s Butterfield, who finished third in last year’s event and went on to enjoy an incredible year on the Ironman circuit, finishing seventh at the iconic World Championship in Kona, Hawai’i.

“It’s one of the world’s best triathlons,” Butterfield said. “It’s bringing people to Abu Dhabi and it’s showcasing the city.

“I’m tapering pretty hard at the moment with really light training, if any, giving me time to really take in the city. It’s a long hard day on the long course of about 6 hours 45 minutes plus — so I want to be well rested.”