It was the first Ironman World Championship ever held outside of Hawaii. It was the toughest course (in terms of elevation) ever seen for a world championship, too. A look back at an incredible day of pro racing in St. George:
The women hit the cold water at Sand Hollow ReservoirThere were over 2,800 athletes who started the race in St. George, a record number for an Ironman World Championship.Sam Laidlow led the men out of the waterHaley Chura led the women after the swimOnce she was out on the bike there was no stopping Daniela Ryf.A group of five men including Kyle Smith, Sam Laidlow, Daniel Baekkegard, Florian Angert and Braden Currie stayed clear through the entire bike leg.Canada’s Angela Naeth finished 18th in the pro women’s race.Lionel Sanders made his move late in the bike, catching up to Kristian Blummenfelt on the long (but beautiful) climb up Snow Canyon.Daniela Ryf steadily pulled clear of the rest of the women on the bike.Skye Moench tried to ride with Daniela Ryf early on, but like everyone else couldn’t keep up with the Swiss star’s “ballistic” bike rideKristian Blummenfelt rode a new prototype Cadex bike … it seemed to work!Canada’s Jason Pohl took 21st in the men’s raceFor the next time you want to say “I couldn’t do that …”An incredible triple – Olympics, World Triathlon World Championship and the Ironman World Championship … Kristian Blummenfelt is on top of the triathlon world right now …… and he’s happy about it… very happyRespect … Lionel Sanders greets Braden Currie at the line after passing the Kiwi in the last few hundred metres of the race. They finished second and third.This will be Sebastian Kienle’s last year of racing Ironman World Championship events. He finished 14thCount them … one, two, three, four, five Ironman World Championships for Daniela RyfKat Matthews is thrilled with a runner-up finishRespect – Ryf greets runner-up Kat Matthews at the lineAnne Haug runs to the line in thirdKat Matthews, Daniela Ryf and Anne HaugA many time winner returns to the top, while the men’s race sees a new star at the top of the podium
