Chrissie Wellington almost made a mockery of the rest of the field. Despite having to stand by the side of the road for almost ten minutes with tyre problems she won going away by a quarter of an hour.
On a day when conditions were less than ideal, she would undoubtedly have broken the course record were it not for the mishap.
There isn't really anything else to say.
Such was her pace on the run that she had men's winner Craig Alexander asking the time keepers what her mile splits were. He didn't want to be shown up!
Her parents, who were caught by surprise with her win last year, were there to see her storm home.
"That was the hardest thing I've ever done," Chrissie Wellington said after she lay down and rolled across the line.
"Thank you all for your support," she continued.
"I just remember what my coach tells me - I didn't panic, I stayed calm. I want to thank Rebekah Keat for giving me a cannister - she's a legend."
"I want to say first and foremost thank my mom and dad, my family and friends who came out to support me, my coach and training partners, and all the spectators."
Later she punctuated the air with colourful descriptions of the "bloody" puncture and the "blasted" canister that didn't work.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Craig Alexander wins Hawaii Ironman World Championships
Craig Alexander destroyed his opposition in the Hawaii Ironman World Championships with a well planned and executed race. He stayed around 10th place through most of the bike, and even though he hit the run some 9 minutes back, he quickly moved into contention.
The huge Viking Torbjorn Sindballe lead off the bike, but soon lost the lead to Normann Stadler through the early part of the run. Stadler cramped and faded from the scene, as Eneko Llanos moved into the lead. But all the time Alexander was flying. Initially he had Cameron Brown for company, but this early pace eventually put paid to Brown's challenge.
Early in the bike section defending champion Chris McCormack quit when be broke a cable.
But this was Alexander's day. He coasted through the last few miles making it look effortless, and as he got closer to the finish the smile on his face got bigger and bigger.
He savored the finishing stretch stopping to walk, turned and saluted the crowd before hovering at the finishing tape. He crossed the line and fell to the ground clutching his young daughter.
"It's a big dream, a big goal. I can't believe it," he said as the enormity of his achievement started to sink in.
He became the third Australian man to win the race after Greg Welch and McCormack.
Eneko Llanos finished second, with Rutger Beke taking the bronze.
Provisional Results
1 8:17:45 Alexander, Craig AUS 51:43 1:41 4:37:19 2:04 2:45:01
2 8:20:50 3:05 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko ESP 51:39 1:48 4:33:27 2:10 2:51:49
3 8:21:23 3:38 41 Beke, Rutger BEL 54:44 1:50 4:34:45 2:16 2:47:49
4 8:21:46 4:01 31 Schildknecht, Ronnie SWI 54:56 1:58 4:34:26 2:08 2:48:20
[5 8:23:04 5:19 15 Bracht, Timo GER 52:25 1:37 4:35:25 2:30 2:51:09]
5 8:26:17 8:32 25 Brown, Cameron NZL 51:50 2:04 4:36:47 1:59 2:53:39
6 8:30:23 12:38 10 Vernay, Patrick NCL 51:58 1:52 4:42:49 2:06 2:51:40
7 8:33:50 16:05 36 Potts, Andy USA 48:38 1:50 4:46:00 2:51 2:54:31
8 8:34:02 16:17 53 Hecht, Mathias SWI 51:42 1:46 4:36:55 2:28 3:01:13
9 8:34:47 17:02 9 Lovato, Michael USA 52:58 1:52 4:45:21 2:27 2:52:12
Update: Timo Bracht was removed from the above results for failing to complete a penalty stop
The huge Viking Torbjorn Sindballe lead off the bike, but soon lost the lead to Normann Stadler through the early part of the run. Stadler cramped and faded from the scene, as Eneko Llanos moved into the lead. But all the time Alexander was flying. Initially he had Cameron Brown for company, but this early pace eventually put paid to Brown's challenge.
Early in the bike section defending champion Chris McCormack quit when be broke a cable.
But this was Alexander's day. He coasted through the last few miles making it look effortless, and as he got closer to the finish the smile on his face got bigger and bigger.
He savored the finishing stretch stopping to walk, turned and saluted the crowd before hovering at the finishing tape. He crossed the line and fell to the ground clutching his young daughter.
"It's a big dream, a big goal. I can't believe it," he said as the enormity of his achievement started to sink in.
He became the third Australian man to win the race after Greg Welch and McCormack.
Eneko Llanos finished second, with Rutger Beke taking the bronze.
Provisional Results
1 8:17:45 Alexander, Craig AUS 51:43 1:41 4:37:19 2:04 2:45:01
2 8:20:50 3:05 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko ESP 51:39 1:48 4:33:27 2:10 2:51:49
3 8:21:23 3:38 41 Beke, Rutger BEL 54:44 1:50 4:34:45 2:16 2:47:49
4 8:21:46 4:01 31 Schildknecht, Ronnie SWI 54:56 1:58 4:34:26 2:08 2:48:20
[5 8:23:04 5:19 15 Bracht, Timo GER 52:25 1:37 4:35:25 2:30 2:51:09]
5 8:26:17 8:32 25 Brown, Cameron NZL 51:50 2:04 4:36:47 1:59 2:53:39
6 8:30:23 12:38 10 Vernay, Patrick NCL 51:58 1:52 4:42:49 2:06 2:51:40
7 8:33:50 16:05 36 Potts, Andy USA 48:38 1:50 4:46:00 2:51 2:54:31
8 8:34:02 16:17 53 Hecht, Mathias SWI 51:42 1:46 4:36:55 2:28 3:01:13
9 8:34:47 17:02 9 Lovato, Michael USA 52:58 1:52 4:45:21 2:27 2:52:12
Update: Timo Bracht was removed from the above results for failing to complete a penalty stop
2008 Leaderboard Hawaii Ironman
Women 20 miles:
* Chrissie Wellington (#101) continues to pull away from the rest of the women.
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 13 minutes
* Sandra Wallenhorst (#127) at 16:24
* Erika Csomor (#110) at 18 minutes
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 19:25
* Virginia Berasategui (#135) at 21:48
* Gina Ferguson (#118) at 25:30
* Bella Comerford (#128) at 25:34
* Gina Kehr (#116) at 26:50
********************************************************
The top three women at 18 miles
* Chrissie Wellington (#101)
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 12:01
* Sandra Wallenhorst (#127) at 16:03
********************************************************
Alexander Takes it
Final Results:
1 8:17:45 Alexander, Craig AUS 51:43 1:41 4:37:19 2:04 2:45:01
2 8:20:50 3:05 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko ESP 51:39 1:48 4:33:27 2:10 2:51:49
3 8:21:23 3:38 41 Beke, Rutger BEL 54:44 1:50 4:34:45 2:16 2:47:49
4 8:21:46 4:01 31 Schildknecht, Ronnie SWI 54:56 1:58 4:34:26 2:08 2:48:20
5 8:23:04 5:19 15 Bracht, Timo GER 52:25 1:37 4:35:25 2:30 2:51:09
6 8:26:17 8:32 25 Brown, Cameron NZL 51:50 2:04 4:36:47 1:59 2:53:39
7 8:30:23 12:38 10 Vernay, Patrick NCL 51:58 1:52 4:42:49 2:06 2:51:40
8 8:33:50 16:05 36 Potts, Andy USA 48:38 1:50 4:46:00 2:51 2:54:31
9 8:34:02 16:17 53 Hecht, Mathias SWI 51:42 1:46 4:36:55 2:28 3:01:13
10 8:34:47 17:02 9 Lovato, Michael USA 52:58 1:52 4:45:21 2:27 2:52:12
********************************************************
The women at 14 miles
* Chrissie Wellington (#101)
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 11:45
* Sandra Wallenhorst (#127) at 14:50
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 16:42
* Erika Csomor (#110) at 17:10
* Virginia Berasategui (#135) at 19:45
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 21:40
* Gina Ferguson (#118) at 22:09
* Bella Comerford (#128) at 23 minutes
* Dede Griesbauer (#107) at 23:13
Men 22 miles
* Craig Alexander (#2)
* Eneko Llanos Burguera (#7) at 2:50
* Rutger Beke (#41) at 4:05
* Ronnie Schildknecht (#31) at 4:55
* Timo Bracht (#15) at 5:20
* Cameron Brown (#25) at 5:30
********************************************************
Cameron Brown's early pace with Craig Alexander is now costing him as he falters and fades out of the podium positions.
Craig Alexander can only lose it now. No one is going to get by him unless he falters. The same could be said of Chrissie Wellington.
The women at 10 miles
In the lead is Chrissie Wellington (#101), followed by:
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 11:15
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 14:47
* Sandra Wallenhorst (#127) at 15 minutes
* Erika Csomor (#110) at 15;15
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 17:15
* Virginia Berasategui (#135) at 18:35
* Kate Major (#103) at 20:00
********************************************************
Corbin moves into second in the women's race
The first five men through the turn at the Energy Lab
1 7:23:32 2 Alexander, Craig Sydney AUS
2 7:24:16 0:45 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko Vitoria-Ga ESP
3 7:26:36 3:04 25 Brown, Cameron Manukau NZL
4 7:26:58 3:26 41 Beke, Rutger Heverlee BEL
5 7:27:16 3:44 15 Bracht, Timo Eberbach GER
********************************************************
Craig Alexander surges into the lead, as Stadler falters to cramp and Cam Brown moves past him to third.
The women through 5.5 miles
1 6:42:04 101 Wellington, Chrissie Thetford GBR
2 6:52:07 10:04 156 Van Vlerken, Yvonne Schwarzach AUT
3 6:54:20 12:17 140 Corbin, Linsey Missoula MT USA
4 6:54:49 12:45 109 Granger, Belinda Peregian B AUS
5 6:56:48 14:44 127 Wallenhorst, Sandra Hannover GER
6 6:56:48 14:44 110 Csomor, Erika Szazhalomb HUN
7 6:57:56 15:52 104 Lawn, Joanna Parnell NZL
8 6:58:36 16:33 107 Griesbauer, Dede Boston MA USA
9 6:59:23 17:19 135 Berasategui, Virginia Bilbao ESP
10 6:59:39 17:35 124 Matter, Sibylle Plaffeien SWI
The men through 13 miles
Eneko Llanos Burguera (#7) currently leads the men's field. Behind him:
* Normann Stadler (#4) at 10 seconds
* Craig Alexander (#2) at 1:15
* Cameron Brown (#25) at 2:20
* Timo Bracht (#15) at 2:45
* Rutger Beke (#41) at 3:40
* Ronnie Schildknecht (#31) at 4 minutes
* Torbjorn Sindballe (#3) at 4:05
* Faris Al-Sultan (#11) at 4:55
********************************************************
Brown and Beke are tracking closer to the lead as well
Chrissie Wellington superb
Despite losing 7 or 8 minutes from a bike puncture, Wellington is nearly 10 minutes ahead of second place. And she is looking really good.
At 4 miles behind her are:
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 9:35
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 11:36
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 11:53
Eneko Llanos takes the lead
But Normann is not letting him go. Meanwhile Alexander has moved into third.
********************************************************
Alexander makes his move
Craig Alexander has pulled away from Bracht and Brown and is closing the gap on the men ahead of him.
Men 9 miles:
* Normann Stadler (#4)
* Eneko Llanos Burguera (#7) at 18 seconds
* Torbjorn Sindballe (#3) at 1:31
* Chris Lieto (#6) at 1:51
* Craig Alexander (#2) at 2:30
* Timo Bracht (#15) at 2:40
* Cameron Brown (#25) at 2:40
* Faris Al-Sultan (#11) at 3:40
* Rutger Beke (#41)
* Ronnie Schildknecht (#31)
********************************************************
Women at 1 mile
* Chrissie Wellington (#101)
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 8:30
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 8:40
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 11:08
* Joanna Lawn (#104) at 12:37
* Dede Griesbauer (#107) at 12:55
********************************************************
Men at 6 miles
* Normann Stadler (#4)
* Torbjorn Sindballe (#3) at 3 seconds
* Eneko Llanos Burguera (#7) at 26 seconds
* Chris Lieto (#6) at 1:50
* Faris Al-Sultan (#11) at 3:17
* Timo Bracht (#15) at 3:25
* Cameron Brown (#25) at 3:25
* Craig Alexander (#2) at 3:35
********************************************************
Brown and Alexander are running together and keying off each other. In 4 miles they have picked up nearly 4 minutes. Stadler in now in the lead.
********************************************************
Women at 100 miles
* Chrissie Wellington (#101)
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 4:33
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 6:40
* Dede Griesbauer (#107) at 8 minutes
* Joanna Lawn (#104) at 8:55
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 8:58
********************************************************
Stadler has moved passed Lieto on the run after a couple of miles, and Cam Brown and Craig Alexander have reduced their T2 gap on the leader by 2 minutes and are just behind Bryan Rhodes.
********************************************************
Men off the bike
1 5:21:32 3 Sindballe, Torbjorn Horsholm DNK
2 5:25:49 4:17 6 Lieto, Chris Danville CA USA
3 5:26:02 4:30 4 Stadler, Normann Mannheim GER
4 5:26:53 5:21 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko Vitoria-Ga ESP
5 5:27:08 5:37 11 Al-Sultan, Faris Al-Ain ABU UAE
6 5:27:51 6:19 24 Juhanson, Ain Alar Tartu EST
7 5:29:25 7:53 35 Rhodes, Bryan Taupo NZL
8 5:29:26 7:54 15 Bracht, Timo Eberbach GER
9 5:30:22 8:50 53 Hecht, Mathias Willisau SWI
10 5:30:39 9:08 25 Brown, Cameron Manukau NZL
Right with Brown was Craig Alexander.
********************************************************
The women through 95 miles
* Chrissie Wellington (#101)
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 3:30
* Dede Griesbauer (#107) at 6:14
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 6:15
* Joanna Lawn (#104) at 7:30
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 7:31
* Gina Kehr (#116) at 8:18
* Sibylle Matter (#124) at 8:40
* Erika Csomor (#110) at 9 minutes
The story about Wellington being unable to change her tubular appears to be false. She was riding clinchers, and because a spoke was going through the tube, she was refilling without success.
********************************************************
Sinballe through to the run in first place. Stadler had moved up to third and looks really great on the run.
********************************************************
Sinballe has suddenly increased his lead to 4 minutes as he heads for T2.
********************************************************
Chrissie Wellington is having a phenomenal race. She lost 10 minutes unable to get her tire off after a puncture and she is back in the lead. Jo Lawn is looking good.
Macca's retirement was due to mechanical problems. He decided the 20 minute estimate to fix it, was just too long.
********************************************************
Bike: 90 miles
Men
1 4:23:08 3 Sindballe, Torbjorn Horsholm DNK
2 4:25:20 2:13 6 Lieto, Chris Danville CA USA
3 4:27:28 4:20 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko Vitoria-Ga ESP
4 4:27:31 4:24 11 Al-Sultan, Faris Al-Ain ABU UAE
5 4:27:34 4:27 4 Stadler, Normann Mannheim GER
6 4:29:21 6:14 15 Bracht, Timo Eberbach GER
7 4:29:23 6:15 35 Rhodes, Bryan Taupo NZL
8 4:29:36 6:28 25 Brown, Cameron Manukau NZL
9 4:29:41 6:34 2 Alexander, Craig Sydney AUS
10 4:29:44 6:36 53 Hecht, Mathias Willisau SWI
11 4:30:10 7:02 24 Juhanson, Ain Alar Tartu EST
12 4:30:48 7:41 26 Twelsiek, Maik Lemgo GER
13 4:31:42 8:34 41 Beke, Rutger Heverlee BEL
14 4:31:47 8:40 31 Schildknecht, Ronnie Ruschlikon SWI
15 4:31:49 8:41 68 Van Lierde, Frederik Menen BEL
16 4:32:09 9:02 13 Sturla, Eduardo Buenos Air BS ARG
17 4:32:31 9:23 10 Vernay, Patrick Noumea NCL
18 4:32:38 9:31 36 Potts, Andy Colorado S CO USA
19 4:33:43 10:35 71 Marr, Timothy Honolulu HI USA
20 4:33:51 10:44 5 Vanhoenacker, Marino Jabbeke BEL
Women (between 85-90 miles)
* Chrissie Wellington (#101)
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 1:02
* Dede Griesbauer (#107) at 2:22
* Leanda Cave (#108) at 4:09
* Joanna Lawn (#104) at 5:03
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 5:10
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 5:11
* Gina Kehr (#116) at 5:25
* Erika Csomor (#110) at 6:25
* Gina Ferguson (#118) at 7:45
********************************************************
Chris McCormack is out! The defending champion has thrown in the towel. Normann Stadler, two time winner has moved out of the chasing group and is closing on the three leaders.
Wellington has made up two of the ten minutes she lost to puncture when a spoke went through her tyre.
********************************************************
60 miles
Men:
1 3:17:18 3 Sindballe, Torbjorn Horsholm DNK
2 3:17:21 0:03 6 Lieto, Chris Danville CA USA
3 3:18:14 0:57 11 Al-Sultan, Faris Al-Ain ABU UAE
4 3:20:06 2:49 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko Vitoria-Ga ESP
5 3:20:23 3:05 35 Rhodes, Bryan Taupo NZL
6 3:20:26 3:09 4 Stadler, Normann Mannheim GER
7 3:20:31 3:13 25 Brown, Cameron Manukau NZL
8 3:20:44 3:26 15 Bracht, Timo Eberbach GER
9 3:20:46 3:28 53 Hecht, Mathias Willisau SWI
10 3:20:49 3:31 2 Alexander, Craig Sydney AUS
Women:
1 3:43:57 109 Granger, Belinda Peregian B AUS
2 3:43:59 0:02 107 Griesbauer, Dede Boston MA USA
3 3:44:02 0:05 108 Cave, Leanda Mill Valle CA USA
4 3:46:56 2:59 113 Norton, Tara Toronto ON CAN
5 3:47:21 3:24 101 Wellington, Chrissie Thetford GBR
6 3:47:27 3:30 135 Berasategui, Virginia Bilbao ESP
7 3:47:37 3:40 118 Ferguson, Gina Oxford NZL
8 3:47:38 3:41 106 Keat, Rebekah Burleigh H QLD AUS
9 3:47:40 3:43 124 Matter, Sibylle Plaffeien SWI
10 3:47:54 3:57 116 Kehr, Gina Redwood Ci CA USA
********************************************************
Drama for Chrissie Wellington
Wellington had blasted her way into the lead until disaster struck in the form of a puncture. Until recently she had always ridden on clinchers. Today she is riding tubulars and is unable to get them off. Finally after Rebekah Keat sportingly stopped to help she is back on the road some 10 minutes down on where she would have been.
Conditions are extremely tough out there, with even the top guns getting blown all over the road.
********************************************************
Bike 15 miles
MEN:
* Benjamin Sanson (#178)
* Andy Potts (#36) at 3 seconds
* Chris Lieto (#6) at 2:05
* Chris McCormack (#1) at 2:05
* Luke McKenzie (#19) at 2:05
* Bryan Rhodes (#35) at 2:05
* Cameron Brown (#25) at 2:05
* Craig Alexander (#2) at 2:05
* Faris Al-Sultan (#11) at 2;05
* Pete Jacobs (#159) at 2:05
Women:
* Dede Griesbauer (#107)
* Nina Kraft (#119) at 4 seconds
* Chrissie Wellington (#101) at 15 seconds
* Gina Kehr (#116) at 44 seconds
* Gina Ferguson (#118) at 1:18
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 1:28
* Rebekah Keat (#106) at 1:30
* Sibylle Matter (#124) at 4:02
* Erika Csomor (#110) at 4:24
* Virginia Berasategui (#135) at 5:04
********************************************************
Out of T1
Men
1 50:28 36 Potts, Andy Colorado S CO USA
2 50:41 0:13 178 Sanson, Benjamin Bordeaux FRA
3 50:45 0:17 159 Jacobs, Pete Sydney NSW AUS
4 53:03 2:35 35 Rhodes, Bryan Taupo NZL
5 53:12 2:44 8 Van Lierde, Luc Brugge BEL
6 53:15 2:47 85 Goehler, Rene Saarbrueck GER
7 53:23 2:55 2 Alexander, Craig Sydney AUS
8 53:25 2:57 19 McKenzie, Luke Gold Coast NSW AUS
9 53:27 2:59 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko Vitoria-Ga ESP
10 53:27 2:59 53 Hecht, Mathias Willisau SWI
Women
1 56:44 116 Kehr, Gina Redwood Ci CA USA
2 56:47 0:03 108 Cave, Leanda Mill Valle CA USA
3 56:51 0:07 119 Kraft, Nina Braunschwe GRD
4 56:57 0:14 107 Griesbauer, Dede Boston MA USA
5 56:59 0:15 118 Ferguson, Gina Oxford NZL
6 57:16 0:32 158 Biscay, Hillary Tucson AZ USA
7 58:26 1:42 101 Wellington, Chrissie Thetford GBR
8 58:26 1:43 109 Granger, Belinda Peregian B AUS
9 58:29 1:45 106 Keat, Rebekah Burleigh H QLD AUS
10 59:18 2:34 124 Matter, Sibylle Plaffeien SWI
********************************************************
Out of the water!
Top 10 women out of the water
1 54:35 158 Biscay, Hillary Tucson AZ USA
2 54:45 0:10 116 Kehr, Gina Redwood Ci CA USA
3 54:45 0:10 118 Ferguson, Gina Oxford NZL
4 54:46 0:11 119 Kraft, Nina Braunschwe GRD
5 54:51 0:16 108 Cave, Leanda Mill Valle CA USA
6 54:52 0:17 107 Griesbauer, Dede Boston MA USA
7 56:09 1:35 109 Granger, Belinda Peregian B AUS
8 56:15 1:40 124 Matter, Sibylle Plaffeien SWI
9 56:17 1:42 145 Kolters, Charlotte Farum DNK
10 56:19 1:45 106 Keat, Rebekah Burleigh H QLD AUS
Men's swim leaders
1 48:38 36 Potts, Andy Colorado S CO USA
2 48:40 0:02 178 Sanson, Benjamin Bordeaux FRA
3 48:43 0:05 159 Jacobs, Pete Sydney NSW AUS
4 51:26 2:48 35 Rhodes, Bryan Taupo NZL
5 51:27 2:49 8 Van Lierde, Luc Brugge BEL
6 51:36 2:58 19 McKenzie, Luke Gold Coast NSW AUS
7 51:37 2:59 85 Goehler, Rene Saarbrueck GER
8 51:39 3:01 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko Vitoria-Ga ESP
9 51:41 3:03 29 Bayliss, Stephen Carshalton GBR
10 51:42 3:04 53 Hecht, Mathias Willisau SWI
* Chrissie Wellington (#101) continues to pull away from the rest of the women.
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 13 minutes
* Sandra Wallenhorst (#127) at 16:24
* Erika Csomor (#110) at 18 minutes
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 19:25
* Virginia Berasategui (#135) at 21:48
* Gina Ferguson (#118) at 25:30
* Bella Comerford (#128) at 25:34
* Gina Kehr (#116) at 26:50
********************************************************
The top three women at 18 miles
* Chrissie Wellington (#101)
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 12:01
* Sandra Wallenhorst (#127) at 16:03
********************************************************
Alexander Takes it
Final Results:
1 8:17:45 Alexander, Craig AUS 51:43 1:41 4:37:19 2:04 2:45:01
2 8:20:50 3:05 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko ESP 51:39 1:48 4:33:27 2:10 2:51:49
3 8:21:23 3:38 41 Beke, Rutger BEL 54:44 1:50 4:34:45 2:16 2:47:49
4 8:21:46 4:01 31 Schildknecht, Ronnie SWI 54:56 1:58 4:34:26 2:08 2:48:20
5 8:23:04 5:19 15 Bracht, Timo GER 52:25 1:37 4:35:25 2:30 2:51:09
6 8:26:17 8:32 25 Brown, Cameron NZL 51:50 2:04 4:36:47 1:59 2:53:39
7 8:30:23 12:38 10 Vernay, Patrick NCL 51:58 1:52 4:42:49 2:06 2:51:40
8 8:33:50 16:05 36 Potts, Andy USA 48:38 1:50 4:46:00 2:51 2:54:31
9 8:34:02 16:17 53 Hecht, Mathias SWI 51:42 1:46 4:36:55 2:28 3:01:13
10 8:34:47 17:02 9 Lovato, Michael USA 52:58 1:52 4:45:21 2:27 2:52:12
********************************************************
The women at 14 miles
* Chrissie Wellington (#101)
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 11:45
* Sandra Wallenhorst (#127) at 14:50
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 16:42
* Erika Csomor (#110) at 17:10
* Virginia Berasategui (#135) at 19:45
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 21:40
* Gina Ferguson (#118) at 22:09
* Bella Comerford (#128) at 23 minutes
* Dede Griesbauer (#107) at 23:13
Men 22 miles
* Craig Alexander (#2)
* Eneko Llanos Burguera (#7) at 2:50
* Rutger Beke (#41) at 4:05
* Ronnie Schildknecht (#31) at 4:55
* Timo Bracht (#15) at 5:20
* Cameron Brown (#25) at 5:30
********************************************************
Cameron Brown's early pace with Craig Alexander is now costing him as he falters and fades out of the podium positions.
Craig Alexander can only lose it now. No one is going to get by him unless he falters. The same could be said of Chrissie Wellington.
The women at 10 miles
In the lead is Chrissie Wellington (#101), followed by:
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 11:15
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 14:47
* Sandra Wallenhorst (#127) at 15 minutes
* Erika Csomor (#110) at 15;15
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 17:15
* Virginia Berasategui (#135) at 18:35
* Kate Major (#103) at 20:00
********************************************************
Corbin moves into second in the women's race
The first five men through the turn at the Energy Lab
1 7:23:32 2 Alexander, Craig Sydney AUS
2 7:24:16 0:45 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko Vitoria-Ga ESP
3 7:26:36 3:04 25 Brown, Cameron Manukau NZL
4 7:26:58 3:26 41 Beke, Rutger Heverlee BEL
5 7:27:16 3:44 15 Bracht, Timo Eberbach GER
********************************************************
Craig Alexander surges into the lead, as Stadler falters to cramp and Cam Brown moves past him to third.
The women through 5.5 miles
1 6:42:04 101 Wellington, Chrissie Thetford GBR
2 6:52:07 10:04 156 Van Vlerken, Yvonne Schwarzach AUT
3 6:54:20 12:17 140 Corbin, Linsey Missoula MT USA
4 6:54:49 12:45 109 Granger, Belinda Peregian B AUS
5 6:56:48 14:44 127 Wallenhorst, Sandra Hannover GER
6 6:56:48 14:44 110 Csomor, Erika Szazhalomb HUN
7 6:57:56 15:52 104 Lawn, Joanna Parnell NZL
8 6:58:36 16:33 107 Griesbauer, Dede Boston MA USA
9 6:59:23 17:19 135 Berasategui, Virginia Bilbao ESP
10 6:59:39 17:35 124 Matter, Sibylle Plaffeien SWI
The men through 13 miles
Eneko Llanos Burguera (#7) currently leads the men's field. Behind him:
* Normann Stadler (#4) at 10 seconds
* Craig Alexander (#2) at 1:15
* Cameron Brown (#25) at 2:20
* Timo Bracht (#15) at 2:45
* Rutger Beke (#41) at 3:40
* Ronnie Schildknecht (#31) at 4 minutes
* Torbjorn Sindballe (#3) at 4:05
* Faris Al-Sultan (#11) at 4:55
********************************************************
Brown and Beke are tracking closer to the lead as well
Chrissie Wellington superb
Despite losing 7 or 8 minutes from a bike puncture, Wellington is nearly 10 minutes ahead of second place. And she is looking really good.
At 4 miles behind her are:
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 9:35
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 11:36
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 11:53
Eneko Llanos takes the lead
But Normann is not letting him go. Meanwhile Alexander has moved into third.
********************************************************
Alexander makes his move
Craig Alexander has pulled away from Bracht and Brown and is closing the gap on the men ahead of him.
Men 9 miles:
* Normann Stadler (#4)
* Eneko Llanos Burguera (#7) at 18 seconds
* Torbjorn Sindballe (#3) at 1:31
* Chris Lieto (#6) at 1:51
* Craig Alexander (#2) at 2:30
* Timo Bracht (#15) at 2:40
* Cameron Brown (#25) at 2:40
* Faris Al-Sultan (#11) at 3:40
* Rutger Beke (#41)
* Ronnie Schildknecht (#31)
********************************************************
Women at 1 mile
* Chrissie Wellington (#101)
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 8:30
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 8:40
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 11:08
* Joanna Lawn (#104) at 12:37
* Dede Griesbauer (#107) at 12:55
********************************************************
Men at 6 miles
* Normann Stadler (#4)
* Torbjorn Sindballe (#3) at 3 seconds
* Eneko Llanos Burguera (#7) at 26 seconds
* Chris Lieto (#6) at 1:50
* Faris Al-Sultan (#11) at 3:17
* Timo Bracht (#15) at 3:25
* Cameron Brown (#25) at 3:25
* Craig Alexander (#2) at 3:35
********************************************************
Brown and Alexander are running together and keying off each other. In 4 miles they have picked up nearly 4 minutes. Stadler in now in the lead.
********************************************************
Women at 100 miles
* Chrissie Wellington (#101)
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 4:33
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 6:40
* Dede Griesbauer (#107) at 8 minutes
* Joanna Lawn (#104) at 8:55
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 8:58
********************************************************
Stadler has moved passed Lieto on the run after a couple of miles, and Cam Brown and Craig Alexander have reduced their T2 gap on the leader by 2 minutes and are just behind Bryan Rhodes.
********************************************************
Men off the bike
1 5:21:32 3 Sindballe, Torbjorn Horsholm DNK
2 5:25:49 4:17 6 Lieto, Chris Danville CA USA
3 5:26:02 4:30 4 Stadler, Normann Mannheim GER
4 5:26:53 5:21 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko Vitoria-Ga ESP
5 5:27:08 5:37 11 Al-Sultan, Faris Al-Ain ABU UAE
6 5:27:51 6:19 24 Juhanson, Ain Alar Tartu EST
7 5:29:25 7:53 35 Rhodes, Bryan Taupo NZL
8 5:29:26 7:54 15 Bracht, Timo Eberbach GER
9 5:30:22 8:50 53 Hecht, Mathias Willisau SWI
10 5:30:39 9:08 25 Brown, Cameron Manukau NZL
Right with Brown was Craig Alexander.
********************************************************
The women through 95 miles
* Chrissie Wellington (#101)
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 3:30
* Dede Griesbauer (#107) at 6:14
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 6:15
* Joanna Lawn (#104) at 7:30
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 7:31
* Gina Kehr (#116) at 8:18
* Sibylle Matter (#124) at 8:40
* Erika Csomor (#110) at 9 minutes
The story about Wellington being unable to change her tubular appears to be false. She was riding clinchers, and because a spoke was going through the tube, she was refilling without success.
********************************************************
Sinballe through to the run in first place. Stadler had moved up to third and looks really great on the run.
********************************************************
Sinballe has suddenly increased his lead to 4 minutes as he heads for T2.
********************************************************
Chrissie Wellington is having a phenomenal race. She lost 10 minutes unable to get her tire off after a puncture and she is back in the lead. Jo Lawn is looking good.
Macca's retirement was due to mechanical problems. He decided the 20 minute estimate to fix it, was just too long.
********************************************************
Bike: 90 miles
Men
1 4:23:08 3 Sindballe, Torbjorn Horsholm DNK
2 4:25:20 2:13 6 Lieto, Chris Danville CA USA
3 4:27:28 4:20 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko Vitoria-Ga ESP
4 4:27:31 4:24 11 Al-Sultan, Faris Al-Ain ABU UAE
5 4:27:34 4:27 4 Stadler, Normann Mannheim GER
6 4:29:21 6:14 15 Bracht, Timo Eberbach GER
7 4:29:23 6:15 35 Rhodes, Bryan Taupo NZL
8 4:29:36 6:28 25 Brown, Cameron Manukau NZL
9 4:29:41 6:34 2 Alexander, Craig Sydney AUS
10 4:29:44 6:36 53 Hecht, Mathias Willisau SWI
11 4:30:10 7:02 24 Juhanson, Ain Alar Tartu EST
12 4:30:48 7:41 26 Twelsiek, Maik Lemgo GER
13 4:31:42 8:34 41 Beke, Rutger Heverlee BEL
14 4:31:47 8:40 31 Schildknecht, Ronnie Ruschlikon SWI
15 4:31:49 8:41 68 Van Lierde, Frederik Menen BEL
16 4:32:09 9:02 13 Sturla, Eduardo Buenos Air BS ARG
17 4:32:31 9:23 10 Vernay, Patrick Noumea NCL
18 4:32:38 9:31 36 Potts, Andy Colorado S CO USA
19 4:33:43 10:35 71 Marr, Timothy Honolulu HI USA
20 4:33:51 10:44 5 Vanhoenacker, Marino Jabbeke BEL
Women (between 85-90 miles)
* Chrissie Wellington (#101)
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 1:02
* Dede Griesbauer (#107) at 2:22
* Leanda Cave (#108) at 4:09
* Joanna Lawn (#104) at 5:03
* Yvonne Van Vlerken (#156) at 5:10
* Linsey Corbin (#140) at 5:11
* Gina Kehr (#116) at 5:25
* Erika Csomor (#110) at 6:25
* Gina Ferguson (#118) at 7:45
********************************************************
Chris McCormack is out! The defending champion has thrown in the towel. Normann Stadler, two time winner has moved out of the chasing group and is closing on the three leaders.
Wellington has made up two of the ten minutes she lost to puncture when a spoke went through her tyre.
********************************************************
60 miles
Men:
1 3:17:18 3 Sindballe, Torbjorn Horsholm DNK
2 3:17:21 0:03 6 Lieto, Chris Danville CA USA
3 3:18:14 0:57 11 Al-Sultan, Faris Al-Ain ABU UAE
4 3:20:06 2:49 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko Vitoria-Ga ESP
5 3:20:23 3:05 35 Rhodes, Bryan Taupo NZL
6 3:20:26 3:09 4 Stadler, Normann Mannheim GER
7 3:20:31 3:13 25 Brown, Cameron Manukau NZL
8 3:20:44 3:26 15 Bracht, Timo Eberbach GER
9 3:20:46 3:28 53 Hecht, Mathias Willisau SWI
10 3:20:49 3:31 2 Alexander, Craig Sydney AUS
Women:
1 3:43:57 109 Granger, Belinda Peregian B AUS
2 3:43:59 0:02 107 Griesbauer, Dede Boston MA USA
3 3:44:02 0:05 108 Cave, Leanda Mill Valle CA USA
4 3:46:56 2:59 113 Norton, Tara Toronto ON CAN
5 3:47:21 3:24 101 Wellington, Chrissie Thetford GBR
6 3:47:27 3:30 135 Berasategui, Virginia Bilbao ESP
7 3:47:37 3:40 118 Ferguson, Gina Oxford NZL
8 3:47:38 3:41 106 Keat, Rebekah Burleigh H QLD AUS
9 3:47:40 3:43 124 Matter, Sibylle Plaffeien SWI
10 3:47:54 3:57 116 Kehr, Gina Redwood Ci CA USA
********************************************************
Drama for Chrissie Wellington
Wellington had blasted her way into the lead until disaster struck in the form of a puncture. Until recently she had always ridden on clinchers. Today she is riding tubulars and is unable to get them off. Finally after Rebekah Keat sportingly stopped to help she is back on the road some 10 minutes down on where she would have been.
Conditions are extremely tough out there, with even the top guns getting blown all over the road.
********************************************************
Bike 15 miles
MEN:
* Benjamin Sanson (#178)
* Andy Potts (#36) at 3 seconds
* Chris Lieto (#6) at 2:05
* Chris McCormack (#1) at 2:05
* Luke McKenzie (#19) at 2:05
* Bryan Rhodes (#35) at 2:05
* Cameron Brown (#25) at 2:05
* Craig Alexander (#2) at 2:05
* Faris Al-Sultan (#11) at 2;05
* Pete Jacobs (#159) at 2:05
Women:
* Dede Griesbauer (#107)
* Nina Kraft (#119) at 4 seconds
* Chrissie Wellington (#101) at 15 seconds
* Gina Kehr (#116) at 44 seconds
* Gina Ferguson (#118) at 1:18
* Belinda Granger (#109) at 1:28
* Rebekah Keat (#106) at 1:30
* Sibylle Matter (#124) at 4:02
* Erika Csomor (#110) at 4:24
* Virginia Berasategui (#135) at 5:04
********************************************************
Out of T1
Men
1 50:28 36 Potts, Andy Colorado S CO USA
2 50:41 0:13 178 Sanson, Benjamin Bordeaux FRA
3 50:45 0:17 159 Jacobs, Pete Sydney NSW AUS
4 53:03 2:35 35 Rhodes, Bryan Taupo NZL
5 53:12 2:44 8 Van Lierde, Luc Brugge BEL
6 53:15 2:47 85 Goehler, Rene Saarbrueck GER
7 53:23 2:55 2 Alexander, Craig Sydney AUS
8 53:25 2:57 19 McKenzie, Luke Gold Coast NSW AUS
9 53:27 2:59 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko Vitoria-Ga ESP
10 53:27 2:59 53 Hecht, Mathias Willisau SWI
Women
1 56:44 116 Kehr, Gina Redwood Ci CA USA
2 56:47 0:03 108 Cave, Leanda Mill Valle CA USA
3 56:51 0:07 119 Kraft, Nina Braunschwe GRD
4 56:57 0:14 107 Griesbauer, Dede Boston MA USA
5 56:59 0:15 118 Ferguson, Gina Oxford NZL
6 57:16 0:32 158 Biscay, Hillary Tucson AZ USA
7 58:26 1:42 101 Wellington, Chrissie Thetford GBR
8 58:26 1:43 109 Granger, Belinda Peregian B AUS
9 58:29 1:45 106 Keat, Rebekah Burleigh H QLD AUS
10 59:18 2:34 124 Matter, Sibylle Plaffeien SWI
********************************************************
Out of the water!
Top 10 women out of the water
1 54:35 158 Biscay, Hillary Tucson AZ USA
2 54:45 0:10 116 Kehr, Gina Redwood Ci CA USA
3 54:45 0:10 118 Ferguson, Gina Oxford NZL
4 54:46 0:11 119 Kraft, Nina Braunschwe GRD
5 54:51 0:16 108 Cave, Leanda Mill Valle CA USA
6 54:52 0:17 107 Griesbauer, Dede Boston MA USA
7 56:09 1:35 109 Granger, Belinda Peregian B AUS
8 56:15 1:40 124 Matter, Sibylle Plaffeien SWI
9 56:17 1:42 145 Kolters, Charlotte Farum DNK
10 56:19 1:45 106 Keat, Rebekah Burleigh H QLD AUS
Men's swim leaders
1 48:38 36 Potts, Andy Colorado S CO USA
2 48:40 0:02 178 Sanson, Benjamin Bordeaux FRA
3 48:43 0:05 159 Jacobs, Pete Sydney NSW AUS
4 51:26 2:48 35 Rhodes, Bryan Taupo NZL
5 51:27 2:49 8 Van Lierde, Luc Brugge BEL
6 51:36 2:58 19 McKenzie, Luke Gold Coast NSW AUS
7 51:37 2:59 85 Goehler, Rene Saarbrueck GER
8 51:39 3:01 7 Llanos Burguera, Eneko Vitoria-Ga ESP
9 51:41 3:03 29 Bayliss, Stephen Carshalton GBR
10 51:42 3:04 53 Hecht, Mathias Willisau SWI
Saturday, 11 October 2008
Hawaii Ironman Leaderboard 2008
Well, its the big day tomorrow. Getting online access to the Ironman website can often be problematic on race day. So watch this space for the race Leaderboard in Kona.
No predictions from The Pink Triathlete this year. Best of luck to the Kiwis, in particular Cam Brown, Jo Lawn, Gina Ferguson and Bryan Rhodes.
No predictions from The Pink Triathlete this year. Best of luck to the Kiwis, in particular Cam Brown, Jo Lawn, Gina Ferguson and Bryan Rhodes.
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Bryan Rhodes to race in Kona
Press Release: Triathlon New Zealand.
8th October 2008.
Taupo Ironman competitor Bryan Rhodes has thrown his hat into the ring at Kona this weekend, making a late decision to contest the World Ironman Championship.
Rhodes makes a return to the holy grail of Ironman racing after last racing there in 2006. He and Coach Graham Park decided his recovery from winning Ironman Canada in August has been sufficient to line up on Sunday (NZT).
For most of this season Rhodes has been based in Boulder, Colorado in the USA. Training in the heat of the USA summer and gaining that extra edge to his training with the 'altitude effect' described by Coach Park as ideal preparation.
As usual his recent swim times have seen him emerge out of the water within seconds of the leader if not in first place. The key then for Rhodes will be to position his new Cervelo in the lead bunch off the bike.
If he can do that and put together a similar run that took him to victory in Canada, the number two ranked Kiwi male Ironman says he shouldn’t be ruled out of a top placing.
Rhodes will line up alongside fellow New Zealander and one of the race favourites in Cameron Brown while in the women’s elite pro category, Jo Lawn and Gina Ferguson both go in with high hopes.
The race takes place on Sunday (NZT).
8th October 2008.
Taupo Ironman competitor Bryan Rhodes has thrown his hat into the ring at Kona this weekend, making a late decision to contest the World Ironman Championship.
Rhodes makes a return to the holy grail of Ironman racing after last racing there in 2006. He and Coach Graham Park decided his recovery from winning Ironman Canada in August has been sufficient to line up on Sunday (NZT).
For most of this season Rhodes has been based in Boulder, Colorado in the USA. Training in the heat of the USA summer and gaining that extra edge to his training with the 'altitude effect' described by Coach Park as ideal preparation.
As usual his recent swim times have seen him emerge out of the water within seconds of the leader if not in first place. The key then for Rhodes will be to position his new Cervelo in the lead bunch off the bike.
If he can do that and put together a similar run that took him to victory in Canada, the number two ranked Kiwi male Ironman says he shouldn’t be ruled out of a top placing.
Rhodes will line up alongside fellow New Zealander and one of the race favourites in Cameron Brown while in the women’s elite pro category, Jo Lawn and Gina Ferguson both go in with high hopes.
The race takes place on Sunday (NZT).
Monday, 6 October 2008
Triathletes dominate NZ's premier MTB Marathon
Press Release: Mark Leishman.
6th October 2008.
Kiwi XTERRA athletes proved their chances at October 26th's World Championships are in great shape, after dominating New Zealand's premier Mountainbike Marathon, the Whaka 100 over the weekend.
Fresh off the back of 7 weeks training in the south of France with Cameron Brown, it was Hamilton's Scott Thorne (NZ XTERRA#3), who lead home an impressive field to take his 2nd win in the event, followed home by friend and arch rival Mark "Cabin" Leishman (current XTERRA NZ #2). The pair were trailed in by National XC champion Stu Houltham (also of Palmerston North) in 3rd.
Recognized as New Zealand's premier Mountainbike Marathon, the gruelling 100km event drew a classy field of athletes, all with an eye on the $1000 bonus on offer for the first athlete able to break the magic 5hr barrier. Spurred on by the incentive Leishman, Thorne, and Houltham forced a torrid pace that obliterated not only the rest of the field, but the race record as well. All three went under the magic 5hr mark, Thorne eventually smashing the record by more than 20min. Finishing in an amazing 4hr43, followed home by Leishman some 4 minutes later.
"Awesome" was Thorne's reaction. "I haven't really felt that flash since returning from France, and I almost didn't front for the race. But I had a great sleep last night, woke up refreshed, and the rest is history!"
Leishman's reaction was similar. "I wasn't sure how my endurance was, as all my prep has been for XTERRA, a 3hr triathlon. Last time I spent 5hrs on a bike was at this race last year! But I was pretty keen for someone to break the 5hrs though, so drilled it for the first couple of hours to ensure we were on pace for the record. I'm happy. At the end of the day Scott was just stronger."
The race was also an eye opener for National Champion Houltham, who pushed the two Triathletes hard, but in the end couldn't match their endurance. " I had a great ride," commented Houltham, "but I just haven't done enough of these marathon events to sustain that pace for that long. Next year!"
Thorne and Leishman then promptly bemused their exhausted rivals as they pulled on their running shoes for a 'quick' 30min gallop in the forest.
Leary also looking strong
The shorter 50km support event also showcased NZ's XTERRA talent, as again, athletes prparing for Maui stole the show from their more fancied rivals.
In the men's event, it was Carl Jones (NZ XTERRA 18-24 champion) going head to head with NZ junior MTB representative Ash Hough. Battling neck and neck, in the end it was Jones who would pull away for the win. And in the women's, it was no different.
Mountainbike specialists took a back seat as Leishman's partner Nic Leary, (NZ XTERRA Elite #3) went head to head with NZ Elite MTB U23 #1 (and XTERRA NZ 18-24 champion) Monique Avery. Locked in battle throughout, Leary struck her killer blow on the penultimate climb, breaking free to establish a 2 minute gap. However, Leary was lead astray as she followed two other riders (not in the race, but who had joined the action) who took a wrong turn.
Despite crossing the line a comfortable winner, upon realising the mistake, Leary removed herself from the results. Disappointed, but happy to "bank it as a solid training day, and look forward to a better result in Maui."
The NZ XTERRA contingent all meet up again in just over a fortnight on Makena Beach, on the island of Maui. As they line up to do battle with 500 of the best XTERRA athletes from around the globe as they challenge for the 2008 XTERRA World Championship.
6th October 2008.
Kiwi XTERRA athletes proved their chances at October 26th's World Championships are in great shape, after dominating New Zealand's premier Mountainbike Marathon, the Whaka 100 over the weekend.
Fresh off the back of 7 weeks training in the south of France with Cameron Brown, it was Hamilton's Scott Thorne (NZ XTERRA#3), who lead home an impressive field to take his 2nd win in the event, followed home by friend and arch rival Mark "Cabin" Leishman (current XTERRA NZ #2). The pair were trailed in by National XC champion Stu Houltham (also of Palmerston North) in 3rd.
Recognized as New Zealand's premier Mountainbike Marathon, the gruelling 100km event drew a classy field of athletes, all with an eye on the $1000 bonus on offer for the first athlete able to break the magic 5hr barrier. Spurred on by the incentive Leishman, Thorne, and Houltham forced a torrid pace that obliterated not only the rest of the field, but the race record as well. All three went under the magic 5hr mark, Thorne eventually smashing the record by more than 20min. Finishing in an amazing 4hr43, followed home by Leishman some 4 minutes later.
"Awesome" was Thorne's reaction. "I haven't really felt that flash since returning from France, and I almost didn't front for the race. But I had a great sleep last night, woke up refreshed, and the rest is history!"
Leishman's reaction was similar. "I wasn't sure how my endurance was, as all my prep has been for XTERRA, a 3hr triathlon. Last time I spent 5hrs on a bike was at this race last year! But I was pretty keen for someone to break the 5hrs though, so drilled it for the first couple of hours to ensure we were on pace for the record. I'm happy. At the end of the day Scott was just stronger."
The race was also an eye opener for National Champion Houltham, who pushed the two Triathletes hard, but in the end couldn't match their endurance. " I had a great ride," commented Houltham, "but I just haven't done enough of these marathon events to sustain that pace for that long. Next year!"
Thorne and Leishman then promptly bemused their exhausted rivals as they pulled on their running shoes for a 'quick' 30min gallop in the forest.
Leary also looking strong
The shorter 50km support event also showcased NZ's XTERRA talent, as again, athletes prparing for Maui stole the show from their more fancied rivals.
In the men's event, it was Carl Jones (NZ XTERRA 18-24 champion) going head to head with NZ junior MTB representative Ash Hough. Battling neck and neck, in the end it was Jones who would pull away for the win. And in the women's, it was no different.
Mountainbike specialists took a back seat as Leishman's partner Nic Leary, (NZ XTERRA Elite #3) went head to head with NZ Elite MTB U23 #1 (and XTERRA NZ 18-24 champion) Monique Avery. Locked in battle throughout, Leary struck her killer blow on the penultimate climb, breaking free to establish a 2 minute gap. However, Leary was lead astray as she followed two other riders (not in the race, but who had joined the action) who took a wrong turn.
Despite crossing the line a comfortable winner, upon realising the mistake, Leary removed herself from the results. Disappointed, but happy to "bank it as a solid training day, and look forward to a better result in Maui."
The NZ XTERRA contingent all meet up again in just over a fortnight on Makena Beach, on the island of Maui. As they line up to do battle with 500 of the best XTERRA athletes from around the globe as they challenge for the 2008 XTERRA World Championship.
Sunday, 5 October 2008
Wakatipu course attracts competitive field for Trustpower Adventure Quest
Press Release: Southern Traverse Ltd.
5th October 2008.
The TrustPower Adventure Quest in Queenstown attracted 56 teams prepared to brave very wet and windy conditions on Saturday (October 4) with most competitors persevering on the innovative course taking in hills around the Central Wakatipu Basin and the Shotover River flats.
The annual event reflected the traditionally strong field with a mix of serious racers, orienteering experts and social competitors.
Race Director Geoff Hunt says although the weather was particularly bad in the morning, by early afternoon it had cleared and the teams encountered sunny conditions, for the latter part of the course.
"The Quest is really a mini sporting adventure requiring teamwork, clue solving and orienteering and this year it began at the Old Shotover Bridge, following a course which involved trekking around the local countryside and cycling along the Shotover River. The feedback we got was very positive and competitors went to places they didn't know existed in the area."
The race was divided into adventure (serious) and social divisions and New Zealand orienteering representative Bruce McLeod and his race partner Phil Wood of Queenstown, racing under the banner of Aurum Survey, displayed their navigational skills and were clear winners in the Open Adventure section.
"It was great to explore such new country," says Phil. "Certainly there were areas I didn't know about and will be heading back to again."
Well known Queenstown athletes Judy Knight and Paula Key won the Women's Adventure race while the Adventure Mixed went to The Funksters, the Queenstown team of Sarah Cole and Richard Lambert.
Veteran multisport athletes Bill and Irene Godsall from Cromwell, arrived three minutes late at the finish, which dropped them out of contention for first place in the Adventure Mixed.
"For each minute a team is late getting home they lose a minute which is worth one point," says Hunt. "So it was important for teams to complete the race within the allotted time."
The Social Open category was won by one of the two Placemakers teams who sponsored the event. The honours went to Lucas Fornes and Mark Littleton.
Long time TrustPower Adventure Quest supporter Robyn Metcalfe of Queenstown who has entered the event every year and is a previous winner of the Social Mixed section, won it again this year with partner Sue Tait of Queenstown, racing as The Blondines.
"We loved it although the torrential rain was a bit of a challenge," says Robyn. "However the sun came out and we had a great time particularly going along the back of Queenstown Hill. It's a great race to enter because there's not too much pressure, it' a bit more strategic."
The Breezies, represented by Emma Lange and Phil Crosbie, a More FM sponsor's team won the Mixed Social section.
Frontrunner which sponsored the event also entered a team and the award for the youngest competitor of the day went to 10-year-old Malcolm Sillars of Invercargill who competed in a family team with his father and sister.
The TrustPower Adventure Quest is supported by TrustPower, More FM, Hamills, Onsen Hot Pools, The Studio, Placemarkers, The Frontrunner and Fat Tyre Mountain Bike Adventures.
5th October 2008.
The TrustPower Adventure Quest in Queenstown attracted 56 teams prepared to brave very wet and windy conditions on Saturday (October 4) with most competitors persevering on the innovative course taking in hills around the Central Wakatipu Basin and the Shotover River flats.
The annual event reflected the traditionally strong field with a mix of serious racers, orienteering experts and social competitors.
Race Director Geoff Hunt says although the weather was particularly bad in the morning, by early afternoon it had cleared and the teams encountered sunny conditions, for the latter part of the course.
"The Quest is really a mini sporting adventure requiring teamwork, clue solving and orienteering and this year it began at the Old Shotover Bridge, following a course which involved trekking around the local countryside and cycling along the Shotover River. The feedback we got was very positive and competitors went to places they didn't know existed in the area."
The race was divided into adventure (serious) and social divisions and New Zealand orienteering representative Bruce McLeod and his race partner Phil Wood of Queenstown, racing under the banner of Aurum Survey, displayed their navigational skills and were clear winners in the Open Adventure section.
"It was great to explore such new country," says Phil. "Certainly there were areas I didn't know about and will be heading back to again."
Well known Queenstown athletes Judy Knight and Paula Key won the Women's Adventure race while the Adventure Mixed went to The Funksters, the Queenstown team of Sarah Cole and Richard Lambert.
Veteran multisport athletes Bill and Irene Godsall from Cromwell, arrived three minutes late at the finish, which dropped them out of contention for first place in the Adventure Mixed.
"For each minute a team is late getting home they lose a minute which is worth one point," says Hunt. "So it was important for teams to complete the race within the allotted time."
The Social Open category was won by one of the two Placemakers teams who sponsored the event. The honours went to Lucas Fornes and Mark Littleton.
Long time TrustPower Adventure Quest supporter Robyn Metcalfe of Queenstown who has entered the event every year and is a previous winner of the Social Mixed section, won it again this year with partner Sue Tait of Queenstown, racing as The Blondines.
"We loved it although the torrential rain was a bit of a challenge," says Robyn. "However the sun came out and we had a great time particularly going along the back of Queenstown Hill. It's a great race to enter because there's not too much pressure, it' a bit more strategic."
The Breezies, represented by Emma Lange and Phil Crosbie, a More FM sponsor's team won the Mixed Social section.
Frontrunner which sponsored the event also entered a team and the award for the youngest competitor of the day went to 10-year-old Malcolm Sillars of Invercargill who competed in a family team with his father and sister.
The TrustPower Adventure Quest is supported by TrustPower, More FM, Hamills, Onsen Hot Pools, The Studio, Placemarkers, The Frontrunner and Fat Tyre Mountain Bike Adventures.
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Manawatu Triathlon Club delivers two thirds of Kiwi Duathlon golds
Manawatu's Carolyn Martin (55 to 59) and Struan Webb (18 to 19) grabbed gold at the World Duathlon Championships in Rimini, Italy over the weekend. Stephanie Anderson added to the Kiwi tally with Gold in the 20 to 24 age group, and Ray Bennett took Bronze in the 75-79 group.
This is great for the central North Island club which already boasts among its members Mark Leishman, Tama Christensen and Kris Gemmell, and launched the career of Kieran Doe.
Team Manager Ally Boggs described the weekend as superb, despite some less than average weather.
"What a wonderful weekend we have enjoyed here in Rimini. The weather has not been great but the attitude and determination of the team has been top class. This effort has been reflected in some superb results, with everyone putting in a great race to do the uniform proud."
Racing was conducted over the traditional run, bike, run format with athletes competing from all around the world.
In the elite races, Victoria Beck was 14th in the women's while Michael Harris did not finish the men's, Ben McHale was 15th in the U23 men's, Hayleigh Niterl was 18th in the U19 women's, and in the U19 men's Nathan Coombes was 22nd, Sam Osborne 27th, Nick Rennie 29th and Tom Francis 30th.
Leading results for NZ Age Group athletes
18 to 19 Men Struan Webb GOLD
20 to 24 Women Stephanie Anderson GOLD
55 to 59 Women Carolyn Martin GOLD
75 to 79 Men Ray Bennett BRONZE
This is great for the central North Island club which already boasts among its members Mark Leishman, Tama Christensen and Kris Gemmell, and launched the career of Kieran Doe.
Team Manager Ally Boggs described the weekend as superb, despite some less than average weather.
"What a wonderful weekend we have enjoyed here in Rimini. The weather has not been great but the attitude and determination of the team has been top class. This effort has been reflected in some superb results, with everyone putting in a great race to do the uniform proud."
Racing was conducted over the traditional run, bike, run format with athletes competing from all around the world.
In the elite races, Victoria Beck was 14th in the women's while Michael Harris did not finish the men's, Ben McHale was 15th in the U23 men's, Hayleigh Niterl was 18th in the U19 women's, and in the U19 men's Nathan Coombes was 22nd, Sam Osborne 27th, Nick Rennie 29th and Tom Francis 30th.
Leading results for NZ Age Group athletes
18 to 19 Men Struan Webb GOLD
20 to 24 Women Stephanie Anderson GOLD
55 to 59 Women Carolyn Martin GOLD
75 to 79 Men Ray Bennett BRONZE
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