Daniela Ryf became the inaugural Challenge Dubai champion on the first step to what she hopes will land her a $1,000,000 payday by the end of the year.
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The Swiss triathlete must have performed a jig of delight when she woke to fiercely windy conditions in the Emirates’ state tailor-made for the all-round strength she’s honed under Australian coach Brett Sutton.
And she took full advantage by powering through to the fastest bike split (2:18) and run (1:17) to win by over four minutes in 4:05:01 from Canadian Heather Wurtele and Denmark’s Challenge Bahrain champion Helle Frederiksen.
Ryf, 27, the reigning Ironman 70.3 champion will now prioritise Challenge Oman in the summer and if successful Bahrain in December as she chases the biggest prize purse ever staked in the sport.
“I’ll discuss it with my coach, he’s kind of the boss,” she said. “The priority is Kona but the Triple Crown is a great opportunity and I’ve put down a great platform. I hope to go to Oman and step up another level.”
“It was really hard and choppy, but I had a fantastic swim, and then on the bike I was really struggling at the start,” she continued. “I couldn’t keep pace and had to drop, but after about 40km I started to feel better. In the run, I knew if I could keep the speed I’d be ok.”
Jodie Swallow was the highest-placed British woman in fourth after emerging second from the water 78secs behind the express-paced US star Lauren Brandon. After a strong bike leg in 2:22 Swallow just couldn’t hold off the charging Wurtele or Frederiksen on the beach-side run.
“I’m not really happy, I wanted a podium, but you can only do your best,” she said. “There was a bit of drafting going on but the right girl won. I didn’t know there was anyone in front coming out of the swim. It was tough and I couldn’t see anything because of the waves. I just felt flat on the run. What do I put that down to? It’s February.”
The New Zealander was 2008 World Ironman 70.3 champion and has shown he can compete with the world’s best on many occasions, but given the level of talent in such a packed field in the Middle East, few touted his potential for victory here.
Instead, all eyes were on Spain’s four-time ITU world champion Javier Gomez, butas he wilted on the bike and dropped out on the run, it was Bozzone that stayed strong to win in a dominating 3hrs 41mins 45secs, just over a minute from Germany’s Michael Raelert.
There was shock in third place too, with Switzerland’s Manuel Kung rounding out the podium 2mins 50s behind Raelert.
The windy early morning conditions meant the race start was delayed for five minutes and the swim course revised due to strong currents. When they did get going it was American Andy Potts and 2012 Ironman champion Pete Jacobs who led a front pack from the swim that included Gomez and Britain’s Dan Halksworth and David McNamee.
Denmark’s Martin Jensen was soon to the fore on the bike, the 2013 Ironman Japan champion looking to put 18 months of injury behind him as he posted a 2:02 split. But that was matched by Kiwi Bozzone, who knew the most likely danger was Challenge Bahrain champion Raelert, alighting in T2 1min 49sec back, with the rest of the field splintered to pieces.
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Although Raelert clawed 45secs back over the half-marathon, it was never enough to threaten Bozzone, who was disbelieving in crossing the line for the first victory in what he hopes to be a $1,000,000 Triple Crown win. With Challenge Oman and Bahrain to follow, watch this space to see how it develops.
The Brits raced within a few miles of the world’s tallest building, but failed to hit the heights after a day of struggles at Challenge Dubai.
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With the backdrop of the 830m Burj Khalifa, it was the women who fared best with the highest placing – a commendable fourth – returned by Jodie Swallow.
But that was still one spot shy of the podium she achieved three months ago in the sister-race in Bahrain and failed to meet her own high expectations after finishing the bike leg with only Daniela Ryf in front.
Leanda Cave put in a solid show on ‘home soil’ racing for the new Arab-backed Alameda o.n. Triathlon Team team and Alice Hector, at the start of just her second season back in triathlon, will have taken many lessons from finishing 13th in the half iron-distance contest she described as the ”biggest race of her life.”
It was on the men’s side where the real disappointment came. Joe Skipper was best-placed in 19th after picking up from a 26:07 swim to force his way through the field with a 2:07 bike split and 1:15 run, but was far from content with finishing almost 12mins behind race-winner Terenzo Bozzzone’s 3:41:45.
“I was 20 watts down on the bike and felt s*** the whole way,” he says. “On the run I didn’t even feel that good. Five minutes back was quite a lot out of the swim too, it’d normally be about 2 ½ minutes.
“I felt really unfit swim-wise and that took a lot out of me and I couldn’t hit my power numbers. In an Ironman I’m not swimming at the same intensity so I can bike more to my potential. Racing a half, I’m not fit enough in the water and it impacts the rest of the race.
“It’s just a shame to go home £500 down. You want to race the best people in the world, so do these races but even if I got 10th place I’d have only made £100.”
Skipper was followed in by David McNamee in 21st. The Scot couldn’t have picked a much tougher non-drafting debut after stepping out of the British Olympic programme at Christmas.
He shouldn’t see it as a disaster but after emerging from the water on the back of the front pack, he biked 2:15 on a borrowed time-trial bike against a race-best 2:02 before running through the field with a sharp 1:13 split to finish in 3:55:05, 1min 45 behind Skipper. He heads for the regional championship Ironman South Africa next as the baptism of fire away from lottery funding continues.
Probably winning a hard-fought contest for the most dejected though, was Will Clarke. “It was a really crap race, probably my worst ever,” admitted the 2008 Olympian with a frank assessment. “I can’t really complain about the swim, I found it hard but it was ok [Clarke led the second pack from the water, 56secs down on the leaders].
“I just had no power on the bike, I don’t think I passed anyone all day. I had 275 watts average, I can normally push 325, and on the run I just got round and took the workout.
“I think I came here too late and also it was the first race of the year. It’s different to do a hard swim and then ride 2 ½ hours hard and sometimes I think it takes a race to get your legs back. But, yes, I’m pretty disappointed, it’s horrendous. “
Ritchie Nicholls and Fraser Cartmell also struggled on the desert roads, but Nicholls should take some solace from an impressive 1:11 run split – the fastest of the day, and remarkable considering it still only placed him 34th. Cartmell, sporting a black eye, was 42nd and Jersey’s Dan Halksworth pulled the plug after feeling totally drained.
“I aimed for 340watts hit 260 and my heart-rate was at 180 with a max of 186, I just couldn’t get it down,” he said. “I just suffered the whole race on the bike and on the run had absolutely nothing left.
“I was burning too many matches. For my heart rate to get to 180 on the bike! I don’t hit that when I’m doing five-minute efforts. There’s something wrong. The doctor said there is a virus going round Dubai at the moment and he thinks I probably have something.
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“I wasn’t particularly well yesterday, but thought that was just nerves. I need to just get over it and do well in the next race.”
The official men’s results at Challenge Dubai have changed from the original finishing order because five of the leading triathletes were found to have cut the course, including the first three across the line.
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A four-minute penalty was handed down to the offenders with the upshot a reshuffled podium, but Terenzo Bozzone was still awarded the title and $65,000 first prize. Tim Reed moved from fourth to second and Michael Raelert slipped from the runner-up position to third.
Switzerland’s Manuel Kung dropped six places to ninth, with fifth-placed finisher Andy Potts and fellow US triathlete Ben Collins out of the prize money altogether in 12th and 15th.
It appeared something was amiss during the bike leg of the race when the ‘leader’ Denmark’s Martin Jensen (now officially awarded fifth) showed annoyance to a bike marshal after spotting triathletes placed ahead who hadn’t passed him on the road.
It became more apparent at the finish line with many of the professionals convinced the route hadn’t been adhered to, but the original podium of Bozzone, Raelert and Kung stood for the presentation ceremony before being altered for the official awards in the evening.
There is no suggestion any of the five triathletes tried to gain an advantage by deliberating cutting the course, with unconfirmed reports that they turned at an incorrect roundabout when following a motorbike outrider.
But under International Triathlon Union rules, which govern the Challenge races, an advantage gained by taking the wrong route should mean a disqualification.
Sponsored by sports nutrition brand Elivar, there were twenty categories in all, covering triathlon’s brightest athletes, brands and races from the past year. Our winners were voted for directly by you, our readers, right here on the 220 Triathlon website:
Race of the year (under 500 entries) – The Ilkley Triathlon Run shoe brand of the year – Asics Duathlete of the year – Emma Pooley Women’s age-grouper of the year – Kayleigh Adams (pictured above) Triathlon retailer of the year – TFN Men’s age-group triathlete of the year – Neil Eddy Innovative product of the year – Garmin 920XT Men’s paratriathlete of the year – Phil Hogg Youth triathlete of the year – Ben Dijkstra Online retailer of the year – Wiggle International triathlete of the year – Javier Gomez Women’s paratriathlete of the year – Lauren Steadman Triathlon wetsuit brand of the year – Huub Coach of the year – Simon Ward Bike brand of the year – Boardman Bikes Women’s elite triathlete of the year – Jodie Stimpson Race of the year (over 500 entries) – The Long Course Weekend Men’s elite triathlete of the year – Alistair Brownlee Club of the year – Leeds and Bradford Tri Club The Jane Tomlinson Award for outstanding contribution to triathlon – Iain Hamilton
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What do you think of this year’s winners? Let us know in the comments below!
British paratriathlete Rhiannon Henry made a stunning debut in South Africa last weekend with a gold in her first ever triathlon, as part of a GB team that picked up six superb medals at the 2015 Buffalo City ITU World Paratriathlon Event.
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Henry was competing in the women’s PT5 category (visually impaired), and finished nearly 5mins ahead of her teammate Melissa Reid, who took silver. Another gold was taken by Clare Cunningham, racing in the women’s PT4 category (impaired limb mobility), finishing nine minutes ahead of French athlete Gwladys Lemoussu.
Andy Lewis and Ryan Taylor won silver and bronze in the PT2 category (impaired limb mobility, less severe than PT4), and George Peasgood won an excellent silver medal in the PT4 category. Lewis races with a right leg running blade, whilst Taylor, 21, is a former member of the England cerebral palsy football team. Another youngster, Peasgood, is just 19 years old.
Full medals as follows:
Women’s PT4
1. Clare Cunningham, GBR, 1:17:38
Women’s PT5
1. Rhiannon Henry, GBR, 1:11:46 (guided by Nicole Walters) 2. Melissa Reid, GBR, 1:16:23 (guided by Grace France)
Men’s PT2
1. Stephane Bahier, FRA, 1:16:54 2. Andrew Lewis, GBR, 1:19:41 3. Ryan Taylor, GBR, 1:20:11
Men’s PT4
1. Yannick Bourseaux, FRA, 1:06:21 2. George Peasgood, GBR, 1:08:17
The GB British Paratriathlon squad will miss the next round of the Series in Australia and resume racing in the Series in Madrid in May. The team have Rio qualification firmly in their sights this year, with a great chance of performing well in all six paratri medal events confirmed for next year’s Olympics.
British paratriathletes enjoyed dazzling success at the ITU Grand Final in Edmonton, Canada last year, with the 13-strong squad collecting eight world championship medals including two golds, four silvers and two bronzes, spanning classes from PT1 to PT5.
With just a few months to go until the 25th Windsor Triathlon, organisers Human Race have confirmed a new swim route which is expected to be faster and offer athletes new PBs this year.
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The new start will be located further west, close to Windsor Leisure Centre. Unlike previous years the swim will now go with the current of the river for the first three quarters of the 1,500m section, sticking to the south bank.
Once participants reach Eton pedestrian bridge they will turn and that’s where the real test begins with the final several hundred metres being against the flow. Everybody exits at the traditional location where transition will remain.
Small improvements will also be made to the bike and run sections, which are expected to be announced soon. A record number of people have already signed up for this year’s race, taking place on 14 June, and entries will close tomorrow (2 March) at 9pm. This year’s highlights include a ‘race with the stars’ wave, giving age-groupers the chance to line up with against top athletes including Emma Pallant and Stuart Hayes.
The Windsor Triathlon 25th Anniversary Dinner will be held at the Harte and Garter Hotel in Windsor the night before the race and will consist of a three course dinner along with options of wine and soft drinks. On each table will be one previous elite winner of Windsor Triathlon, including Spencer Smith, Emma Pallant, Stuart Hayes, and more.
To book your place at the historic 25th Windsor Triathlon or the special Anniversary Dinner, visit www.humanrace.co.uk/triathlon.
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What do you think of the new swim course? Let us know in the comments below!
The April 2015 issue of your favourite tri mag is on sale now, featuring a seven-page guide to conquering Ironman with Britain’s Kona hopeful Tim Don, an explainer of which tri gear really makes you faster, wetsuit buying guide and lots more.
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Highlights in this month’s issue include:
Conquer Ironman – take on 226km with Hawaii hope Tim Don
The science of speed – which kit really makes you faster?
Elite Q&A with Swiss rocket Daniela Ryf
Four training apps on test
Train with Chrissie – we look at techniques for measuring training improvements
Wetsuit buying guide – all you ever needed to know about neoprene
Tri aerobars grouptest
PLUS win one of four 2XU compression kit bundles worth £230 each
Find 220 Triathlon on sale at newsagents across the UK, and the digital edition can be picked up via the iTunes store, Google Play and Zinio.
After three packed days of seminar sessions, product demos, endless pool coaching, awards, sportives and a guest appearance from a Pussycat Doll, the 220 Triathlon Show closed its doors last Sunday for another 12 months.
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Let’s take a look at some of the highlights…
Exhibition
Seminars
Awards
Sportive
10K run
(Images: Dave Caudery)
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Did you go to this year’s 220 Triathlon Show? Let us know in the comments below!
The Bavarian city of Regensburg – one of Germany’s oldest and most beautiful – is to host a new Challenge Family long-distance triathlon in the summer of next year, finishing in the Cathedral Square of the Old Town.
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The action will start on 14 August 2016 with a 3.8km swim in Lake Guggenberger, located just outside of town, followed by a 180km cycle through the Bavarian Forest Nature Reserve, finishing with a 42.2km run along the Danube before finishing in the centre of town.
With a 1,500m total elevation, the bike leg is sure to challenge athletes – the two climbs of significance are located around the 30km and 100km marks, and have a maximum elevation of around 600m. By comparison, Ironman Wales has a nearly identical total elevation of 1,530m but a maximum elevation of 174m, making the climbs much more spread out.
“Regensberg is one of Germany’s most beautiful and historic towns and I have no doubt it will attract athletes and their families from all over the world,” said Challenge CEO Zibi Szlufcik.
Ironman ran its own full-distance race in the Bavarian city from 2010 to 2012 but apparently struggled to find a workable date for the 2013 edition, and it hasn’t been run since.
For more information on the new Challenge race head to www.challenge-regensburg.org.
(Images: Ulrich Oestringer / Omnidom 999)
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Will you be entering Challenge Regensburg? Let us know in the comments below!