Weekend news: Sprint to the line in Chattanooga
Estonia’s Kirill Kotsegarov got the line just seconds ahead of former ITU star Matt Chrabot to take Ironman Chattanooga yesterday in a thrilling sprint to the finish. Carrie Lester dominated the women’s race. In Mallorca it was Timo Bracht (pictured) and Daniela Saemmler who led the way. At the ITU Cross World Championship Ruben Ruzafa and Flora Duffy claimed the world titles.
Chattanooga charge
American Matt Chrabot appeared to have Ironman Chattanooga in hand thanks to a 90 second lead over countryman Eric Limkemann, Estonian Kirill Kotsegarov and Germany’s Stefan Schmid with nine miles to go. The 2012 Olympic alternate began to fade, though, and found himself battling with Kotsegarov over the final miles of the race, leading to a dramatic sprint down the finish chute that was taken by the Estonian. Schmid ended up third just eight seconds beyind.
Australian Carrie Lester used the fastest bike split of the day to pull to a seven minute lead over Bree Wee into T2, and then opened up even more of a gap on the rest of the women during the run to take the women’s race. American Lisa Roberts used the fastest run of the day to move into second place, over 12 minutes behind the Australian champ.
Top 5 Men:
- Kirill Kotsegarov (EST) 8:08:32
- Matt Chrabot (USA) 8:08:34
- Stefan Schmid (DEU) 8:08:40
- Eric Limkemann (USA) 8:12:59
- Esben Hoygaard (DNK) 8:15:56
Top 5 Women:
- Carrie Lester (AUS) 8:56:00
- Lisa Roberts (USA) 9:08:46
- Kim Schwabenbauer (USA) 9:14:11
- Bianca Steurer (AUT) 9:18:17
- Bree Wee (USA) 9:19:41
Bracht does it again
There is no runner in the sport who can dominate the last 10 km of an Ironman marathon run the way Timo Bracht can, and he proved it once again on the beautiful island of Mallorca yesterday. South African James Cunnama had passed the German to move into first at the half way point of the run, only to see Bracht re-take the lead and pull away in dramatic style to take the win. Both Bracht and Cunnama are chasing qualifying points for the 2016 world championship and will be happy with this start in their quest.
Mallorca also showcased the arrival of yet another supermom to the world of Ironman racing. After moving to a slim lead over British Ironman rookie Emma-Kate Lidbury on the bike, Germany’s Daniela Saemmler, who has a four-year-old son, pulled away from the six time Ironman 70.3 champ on the run for her first Ironman title.
Top 5 Men
- Timo Bracht (GER) 8:17:22
- James Cunnama (RSA) 8:19:36
- Alessandro Degasperi (ITA) 8:23:56
- Gwenael Ouilleres (FRA) 8:31:22
- Ritchie Nicholls (GBR) 8:32:47
Top 5 Women
- Daniela Saemmler (GER) 9:24:48
- Emma-Kate Lidbury (GBR) 9:31:49
- Alexandra Tondeur (BEL) 9:34:32
- Katharina Grohmann (GER) 9:37:07
- Corina Hengartner (SUI) 9:40:01
Full results at www.ironman.com
ITU Cross Triathlon World Championship
Ruben Ruzafa (ESP) and Flora Duffy (BER) took the 2015 Sardegna ITU Cross Triathlon World Championship yesterday. Ruzafa successfully defended his title, while Duffy claimed her first.
Duffy used the fastest run of the day to hold off Chile’s Barbara Riveros. Ruzafa led off the bike and was able to hold off the charge by Mexico’s Francisco Serrano for his win.
