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RACE REPORTS: KONA IRONMAN RACE NOTES: CHRISSIE WELLINGTON WINS KONA AGAIN AND CRAIG ALEXANDER CROWNED CHAMPION
Brad Roe
October 11, 2008
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It was quite a dramatic day in Kona. The pro athletes go off and begin their 2.4 mile swim fifteen minutes ahead of the 1700 age-groupers, many of whom are just trying to finish the event. Andy Pots and Benjamin Sanson set a blazing pace in the swim attempting to set a new Ironman swim record. They wouldn’t pull it off, but Andy finished the event in 8th place. Once on the bike, the athletes were anticipating a calm day in Kona, but the wind picked up, seemingly in all directions, side winds so strong, racers were blown off the course. Here are a few highlights from today’s event from some of the bigger names. As a reminder, the athletes swim 2.4 miles, ride 112 miles and then run 26.2 miles.
2007 and 2008 Champion, Chrissie Wellington: We have been a fan of Chrissie Wellington since she came out of nowhere and won the event last year. Humble, bright and courageous, her demeanor on and off the bike makes it difficult not to cheer for her. This year was no different. After a year spent training with team TBB, she was now in the spotlight and the pressure was on. After a solid swim, Chrissie took off, running a big ring and leading the bike leg, but got a flat and used up four Co2 cartridges and was passed on the side of the road by 20 male age-groupers until Rebekah Keat stopped and loaned her a cartridge and got her back on the road. All told, she lost 10-minutes fixing her clinchers. Did she quit? No, she got back on her bike and systematically dropped all her competitors and regained the lead of the race. Not only did she take over the lead of the bike leg, but she then proceeded to break the women’s run leg record set by Sandra Lori Bowden at 2:59:16. Chrissie ran a 2:57:45. She was about 20-seconds off of Craig Alexander’mile pace, clocking in a 6:37 mile from 18-19. Amazing. Running down Ali Drive, Chrissie then rolled across the finish line, in order to honor amateur triathlete, Jon Blais (Blazeman) who rolled across the line in 2005 in order to bring attention to his journey with ALS. John passed away in 2007. Wellington spoke into the microphone after crossing the line: "That was the hardest thing I've ever done,” she said. "Thank you all for your support. "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 canister - she's a legend." She continued, "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." Chrissie Wellington is a true champion with a total time of 9:06.23. Second place finisher, Yvonne Van Vlerken, came in 15-minutes later.
2008 Champion, Craig Alexander: Craig timed his move to the front of the race perfectly, spending most of the day in the top ten, then surging towards the front once the marathon began. He is the third Australian to become Ironman World Champion and the first triathlete to win both the Ironman and the 70.3 world titles. He finished the event in a blazing fast 8:17.45 and said at the finish line, "It's a big dream, a big goal. I can't believe it."
2007 Champion, Chris “Macca” McCormack was in a great position on the bike, but abandoned the race surprisingly four hours in, citing a snapped cable. The 2007 champion made the decision after tech support told him it would take 20-minutes to fix the bike. Chrissie Wellington’s day made this decision seem even more surprising.
Torbjorn Sindballe and Chris Lieto: Both Torbjorn and Chris Lieto looked like they were going to finish the race one and two. On the bike and at the beginning of the run the two dominated the event, but faster runners took over and they two finished outside the top ten.
Normann Stadler: Stadler was third off the bike and in good form on the run, but was swallowed up during the last half of the marathon. An emotional Stadler crossed the line with Faris Al-Sultan. Normann has won the event twice, but today seemed happy to cross the line after two tough years.
Steve Larsen: Former mountain biker, family man and friend of RBA, Steve Larsen’s comeback gave all of the triathletes of the world who hold down day jobs a ray of hope. Steve had an average swim, a great bike leg (19th) and ended up in the top 70. Not bad for a guy who works eight hours a day then helps take care of a family of five.
OVERALL RESULTS:
Men
1. Craig Alexander (Australia)...8:17:45
2. Eneko Llanos (Spain)...8:20:50
3. Rutger Beke (Belgium)...8:21:23
4. Ronnie Schildknecht (Switzerland)...8:21:46
Women
1. Chrissie Wellington (Great Britain)...9:06:23
2. Yvonne Van Vlerken (Netherlands)...9:21:20
3. Sandra Wallenhorst (Germany)...9:22:52
4. Erika Csomor (Hungary)...9:24:49
5. Linsey Corbin (USA)...9:28:51
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