Ironman Australia Port Macquarie Australia

Vernay and Wellington, different races, same result

WORLD CHAMPION, WELLINGTON SMASHES COURSE RECORD

VERNAY DEFENDS TITLE

Reigning World Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington showed her class coming from behind to claim her first Panthers Ironman Australia Triathlon at Port Macquarie and smash the course record this morning from Australia’s Kate Major who took the race to the world champion. Patrick Vernay successfully defended his title but took him till the final 20km of the run to take charge from a fast finishing Mitch Anderson.

“This race was harder for me than Hawaii, I had more ups and downs but the crowd support was fantastic and got me through,” said Wellington.

Major fell short of her dream to claim the win here having finished 2nd in 2003 and 3 rd in 2004 but as first Australian claimed the title.

“I’m happy with my day, would have like to have go faster but happy,” added Major.

Wellington finished an astonishing 9 th overall and took 10 minutes off the previous course record, set in 2007 by Rebekah Keat (9:13:00). Wellington also posted the 3 rd fastest run time, only two men beating her time (3:01:55).

Vernay said he had very sore legs heading into the marathon today.

“This was a very difficult race because my swim wasn’t’ very good. On the bike I was always alone,” said the New Caledonian after the race.

“When I got to the run I was 5-6 minutes behind but I was very confident on the marathon. I did what I expected to do, around 2:50,” he added.

After an early morning drenching the skies cleared to greet the 1500 competitors in the 23 rd edition of this iconic Australian event which involved a 3.8km swim, 180km cycling, 42.2km swim.

As they exited the swim leg, it was Cameron Watt (Qld), encouraged by a sponsor’s cash incentive, who pipped Luke Mc Kenzie (Qld) by a second. Next through was Mathias Hecht (SUI) 46 seconds back then Luke Bell (Vic), Boyd Conrick another 10seconds behind. The defending champion, Vernay was 3 minutes 51sec off the leaders.

In the early stages of the bike leg at the 30km mark Mc Kenzie and Hecht had settled into the lead with Bell 2 minutes adrift and Vernay a further 1min 48sec back. While Vernay had moved through the field he was not putting time into the leaders as they continued to ride strong.

Watt and Conrick were riding within earshot of each other but fast losing time, 4 minutes down at the end of the first of three laps.

Watt was the first race casualty on the second lap of the bike.

Good friends and training partners, Hecht and Mc Kenzie continued to extend their lead throughout the remainder of the 180km bike leg. Bike specialist Mitch Anderson made his way through the field after giving the leaders over a 5 minute advantage out of the swim. He caught Vernay at the 130km mark but was still 6 minutes down, he then put in a blistering third lap to reduce that to 3 minutes 35sec.

After a disappointing race last year when he snapped his seat post out of transition Hecht was making up for it this year.

“It was good to have Luke (Mc Kenzie) out in front with me on the bike, we pushed each other and I felt bad to overtake him on the run,” said Hecht after the race.

Heading back into town for the change over, Mc Kenzie and Hecht continued the charge, both looking very strong. Anderson continued to take time from them on the straight stretches and was now only 2 minutes 42 seconds as he set about chasing the leaders down on the run. As Vernay headed out on the run he was 5 minutes 35 sec behind.

Mc Kenzie shot to the lead early on the run and looked solid with Hecht struggling 2 minutes down and Vernay holding down third but not gaining at this stage.

As the race unfolded the positions changed and Vernay took charge at the 20km mark and continued his push for a second title. By the 37km mark Mc Kenzie was fading but hung on to finish fifth. Anderson moved through to grab second place from Hecht and local athlete Tim Berkel had a strong run to grab fourth.

“I’m very happy to win again in Port Macquarie,” said Vernay after crossing the line.

The first woman out of the swim was Sarah Pollett (Qld) who competed here as an age grouper last year but stepped up to the professional ranks today. Wellington followed 26 seconds later, then Amelia Pearson another 30 seconds down quickly followed by Major. Lisa Marangon a further 1 minute 14 seconds back.

Major then set about demolishing that lead and by the 25km mark had caught Wellington and over the next 85km extended her lead to 2 minutes 5 seconds. Marangon also put in a solid first lap to join Wellington. Even at this stage the race would be fought out between these three.

At the end of the bike leg Wellington had managed to pin Major back to lead by a minute heading out onto the run leg. Unfortunately for Marangon her race ended at the bike to run transition, a stress fracture in her foot making it impossible to run 42.2km, moving Jo Bennett into third spot but 17 minutes behind. The big mover on the run was Melinda Cockshutt, local Port Macquarie athlete who had a blistering run to grab the bronze.

Wellington then got down to the business of building on this and at the 24km mark had amassed a 2 minute 49 seconds lead on Major and was never challenged from their. Both women went under the course record.

“I got hammered in the swim big time – my cap and goggles came off, I’m not used to that,” said Major.

I felt pretty good on the bike and started the run with a pace I felt comfortable with, but Chrissie had a good game plan,” said Major.

“I had a great swim, which I’ve been working hard on. I didn’t feel good on the first lap of the bike but stayed patient and came good on the third lap,” said Wellington.

I was a bit dizzy at the end and really didn’t know that I it won until the end,” said added.

Wellington will now contest one more Ironman, Frankfurt (6 July) then defend her title in Kona come October.

Results

Male

1. Patrick Vernay 8:31:33

2. Mitch Anderson 8:40:19

3. Mathias Hecht 8:42:48

4. Tim Berkel 8:44:20

5. Luke Mc Kenzie 8:46:01

Female

1. Chrissie Wellington 9:03:55

2. Kate Major 9:09:12