Another successful Ironman weekend

18 May 2010

The 2010 Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa got off to a cracking start at Hobie Beach in Nelson Mandela Bay on Sunday 25 April 2010. A record number of over 1800 entries competed, despite a number of athletes having to withdraw from this premier event due to travel restrictions as a result of the volcanic ash over Europe.

The early morning rough seas and nippy conditions didn’t damper the spirits of the athletes as they prepared both mentally and physically for the challenging day ahead. After the swim leg, swimming superstar Anton Storm was first into the transition and last year’s winner, Lucie Zelenkova, was first out of the water for the women. As the top athletes took off for the cycle leg, the weather cleared and conditions became perfect with sunny skies and hardly any wind. Crowds flocked to the beachfront and got behind Nelson Mandela Bay hopeful Raynard Tissink.

The cycle leg proved to be very exciting as the athletes looked to put themselves in the perfect position to make a break for the front. Zelenkova looked to be in the driving seat but unfortunately had to retire due to emotional distress. Mathias Hecht was in the lead going into the run for the men, while Caroline Steffan seemed in great form coming into the transition first for the ladies.

The run certainly didn’t disappoint with the athletes kicking into overdrive and looking to claim victory. Tissink was determined to complete this year’s race and surged through the field to take the lead 20km into the run. James Cunnama, a strong runner, unfortunately had to pull out due to gastric distress.

Sonja Tajsich, last year’s runner up had a sterling run which saw her breeze through the field to claim a new run record and eventual overall victory just a few seconds away from Zelenkova’s course record set last year. The delighted home crowd welcomed home local hero Tissink as he crossed the finish line in first place, giving South Africa its first champion since 2005.

Athletes and spectators alike had a fantastic time in Nelson Mandela Bay over the Ironman weekend, with the MTN Corporate Triathlon Challenge also drawing in large crowds on Saturday.

The provisional results are as follows

Men:

1. Raynard Tissink (RSA) 08:23:28

2. Mathias Hecht (CHE) 08:28:53

3. Daniel Fontana (ITA) 08:33:48

4. Jason Shortis (AUS) 08:34:52

5. Stephen Bayliss (GBR) 08:40:28

6. Jan Raphael (NLD) 08:42:46

7. Max Renko (AUT) 08:51:19

8. Simon Billeau (FRA) 08:53:49

9. Aleksandar Sorensen-Markovic (DEN) 08:56:06

10. Brad Storm (RSA) 09:15:22