Both Craig Alexander and Chrissie Wellington defended their Ironman World Championship titles in Kona last night. Awesome racing in very hot temperatures, with Chrissie breaking Paula Newby-Fraser’s record with a time of 8:54:02.GB young star Phil Graves had a great day leading the bike for up to about 40 miles and then suffered in the heat, he'll be back in future years really competing for the win.
Ironman World Championship
Kona, Hawaii – Oct. 10, 2009
Men
1. Craig Alexander (AUS) 8:20:21
2. Chris Lieto (USA) 8:22:56
3. Andreas Raelert (GER) 8:24:32
4. Chris McCormack (AUS) 8:25:20
5. Rasmus Henning (DEN) 8:28:17
Women
1. Chrissie Wellington (GBR) 8:54:02
2. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 9:13:59
3. Virginia Berasategui (ESP) 9:15:28
4. Tereza Macel (CAN) 9:23:43
5. Rebekah Keat (AUS) 9:25:48
4 comments:
Chrissie Wellington is an awesome athlete and nothing can detract from her performances. But ... when the only interest in the women's race is "How much will Chrissie win by?" it's not very exciting. Where is the challenge going to come from? There doesn't appear to be any females in the same race as her; where are the next generation of great female Ironman competitors? Unless one appears soon the sponsors may find something more interesting. LD triathlon is not the most exciting spectator sport and when it's a one-horse race even less so.
The men's race was better although I found it curious how much time they spent looking behind them on the bike course.
I agree, but it is hardly Chrissie's fault, the girls are certainly getting quicker, but when someone wins by 20 minutes it does make the womens field look rather weak.
Crowie looked awesome on the run, to run 2:48 in that heat is amazing.
Of course it's not her fault, but 2 years after she burst on to the IM scene I am surprised no-one has done some very serious analysis of her training and copied her. Or is she really just a freak of nature and built for IM racing???
She's a freak! Otherwise all the other girls on TBB would be as good as her. She's going to dominate for a long time!
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