In the best shape of her life

Ashby, a former Auburn Tigers stand-out during her career at the collegiate level is said to be in the best shape of her life and will be looking to toward a fruitful season, as she attempts to move up in the world rankings.

"Fana Ashby will be making her indoor debut at the Russian Winter indoor invitational and will then travel to the Gubernator Cup on the 3rd (February). She is in the best shape of her life and hopes to once again move up the world rankings to solidify herself as a strong 100m and 200m runner," her manager Kris Mychasiw told Caribbean Net News on Thursday.

"Like (Canadian sprinter Anson Henry), she will contest the 60m and hope to find her form that made her a dominant figure in the NCAA," Mychasiw said of the new recruit from the twin islands.

Ashby's hardest challenges are expected to come from Russian home favourites Yuliya Gushchina and Yevgeniya Polyakova.

Dixon and Savigne will compete too

Fellow Caribbean partner Vonette Dixon will start as favourite when she challenges a host of Russians for the women's 60m hurdles title. Dixon, who owns a career best time of 7.92 sec, will come up against Tatyana Pavliy (8.06), Aleksandra Antonova (8.08), Olga Korsunova (8.09) and Viktoriya Gappova (8.10).

The meet orgaanisers were also delighted to have Cuba's Yargelis Savigne competing in the capital. The IAAF World Championships bronze medallist from Helsinki, Finland, in 2005 will however have her hands full as she will be up against the world no.1 and Olympic Long Jump champion Tatyna Lebedeva of Russia.

Other serious challengers for the title in the sand are American Grace Upshaw (6.98) and Russia's Irina Simagina (6.95).