Leanda Cave has retained the World Ironman title for Great Britain (last year won by Chrissie Wellngton) in difficult conditions in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
After finishing the 2011 event in third place and having won the World 70.3 championships in Las Vegas this year, Cave was hotly tipped to do well.
Right from the start Cave was well placed, at the end of the swim, Amanda Stevens (USA) exited the water first, followed closely by Meredith Kessler (USA), Gina Crawford (NZL), Cave and Mary Beth Ellis (USA).
But during the 112-mile bike course on the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway, Ellis, Steffen (SUI) and Cave pulled away and headed into T2 (transition two) with the lead. Ellis had to sit out a four minute penalty during the transition which enabled Steffen a small headstart and she went on to set the lead pace for much of the run.
In the final 5k, Cave made her pass for the win finishing one minute ahead of Steffen in a time of 9.15.54. With the victory, Cave became the first female, to win the IRONMAN World Championship 70.3 and IRONMAN World Championship in the same year.
Also representing GBR Rachel Joyce finished a very respectable 11th place in a time of 9:40:16. Great Britain have a fantastic heritage in this event having held on to the pro women’s title for the last five out of six races.
Other notable performances in the age-group categories were Simone Daily who finished 5th in the 18-24 category; Catherine Faux, 2nd in the 25-29 category and Melissa Dowell, 7th in the 45-49 category.
In the hugely competitive 30-34 age group, Britains Emma Cranfield finished in 35th, whilst Olympic Gold Cycling medallist Rebecca Romero finished in 46th place in only her second ever attempt at this event.
Sportsister, The Women’s Sports Magazine
Stats:
Leanda Cave: 9:15:54 (swim: 56:03, bike: 5:12:06, run: 3:03:13)
Rachel Joyce: 9:40.16 (swim: 57:42, bike: 5:24:27, run: 3.12:31)
Catherine Faux: 9:53:53 (swim: 1:00:43, bike: 5:21:34, run: 3:25:53)
Simone Daily: 10:57:11 (swim: 1:12:35, bike: 5:49:34, run: 3:46:43)
Melissa Dowell: 10:56:20 (swim: 1:00:48, bike: 5:47:25, run: 4:00:25)
Emma Cranfield: 11:13:18 (swim: 1:04:48, bike: 5:56:34, run: 4:03:54)
Rebecca Romero: 11:39:08 (swim: 1:21:58, bike: 5:25:50, run: 4:41:09)
