4 Impressive performances from Ironman Florida and Ironman 70.3 Los Cabos
Paula Findlay rounds out 2023 with third big (triathlon) win and American records set in Florida
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Patrick McDermott/Getty Images for Ironman
It was a big weekend of racing and. try as we might, it was hard to keep up with all the fantastic performances. Here are a few that we wanted to note:
Paula Findlay takes another win in Los Cabos
It feels like she’s been having on to this season for a bit, but we’re sure glad that the Canadian star didn’t decide to end things after her win at Ironman 70.3 Augusta in September. Findlay (pictured above taking the win at 70.3 Chattanooga earlier this year) ended up racing at Ironman 70.3 Los Cabos last weekend, taking an impressive win to finally round out her season. That means she’ll end up her 2023 campaign with three 70.3 titles and a podium finish at the PTO US Open. (Not to mention another national TT championhship and a first appearance at the world cycling championships.)
Based on her comments after the race, competing in Los Cabos after a month of training in the cold wasn’t exactly optimal, but Findlay got it done thanks to the day’s fastest bike ride and second-fastest run. Certainly seems like a good time for a well-earned break!
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Jason West flies through another fast run to take the men’s win in Los Cabos
Canadian Jackson Laundry put it all on the line out on the bike course in Los Cabos, but his 2:02:07 bike split (compared to Jason West’s 2:05:18) wasn’t enough to give him a lead that would endure West’s 1:09:31 run split in the Mexican heat and humidity. West would run himself to the win, while Mark Kubrick would also run past Laundry to take the second spot on the podium.
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Skye Moench sets new American record
We acknowledged in our story that Skye Moench had an incredible day in Florida for the win. Her 8:22:28 finishing time was 18 minutes quicker than the previous course record, held by Kat Matthews (2020). Â That time also nets the American (who was born in Canada) the US record for a full-distance event, beating Chelsea Sodaro’s previous 8:33:45 set in Kona last year.
Rudy von Berg becomes fastest American, too
In addition to taking down Gustav Iden’s Florida course record, Rudy von Berg also becomes the fastest American over the full-distance thanks to his 7:34:41. That moves him ahead of Ben Kanute’s 7:37:01 from Challenge Roth earlier this year.
