Voted the most satisfying Ironman race of 2022, the Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship lived up to that billing again in 2023 as just over 2,500 athletes enjoyed the 70.3 and Ironman races in the tropical paradise that is Cairns. It was a record-setting day as both the men’s and women’s course records were broken by Braden Currie and Kylie Simpson.
Triathlon Magazine editor Kevin Mackinnon is here in Cairns to check out the event. Here are some of his photos from the weekend’s racing:
They’re off! The pro men get started in beautiful Palm Cove. Photo: Kevin MackinnonRadka Kahlefeldt competed for the Czech Republic at two Olympics, but has now turned her sights on Ironman racing, and now represents Australia. She led out of the water alongside Sarah Crowley. Photo: Kevin MackinnonBraden Currie leads the field out of the water. Photo: Kevin MackinnonMike Phillips led the way into T2, but had Braden Currie and Steve McKenna on his tail. Photo: Kevin MackinnonSarah Crowley was competing after breaking two ribs and her sternum five weeks ago … Photo: Kevin Mackinnon… Crowley and Kahlefeldt took turns at the front o the bike after coming out of the water together.The woman making the move on the bike, though, was Kylie Simpson, who made up about 12 minutes on the women ahead of her to reach T2 at about the same time. Photo: Kevin MackinnonThere were 200 athletes from Japan competing in the race. Photo: Kevin MackinnonSteve McKenna was with Phillips and Currie off the bike and would run in second for the duration of the run. Photo: Kevin MackinnonMike Phillips would lead off the bike, but fade to fifth. Photo: Kevin MackinnonInspiration in action. Matsuko Maruo competes in the PC division. Photo: Kevin MackinnonThere was no touching Kylie Simpson once she got out on the run course. Photo: Kevin MackinnonThe wheels fell off for Sarah Crowley just before the halfway point of the run – she would struggle to get to the finish line in fourth. Photo: Kevin MackinnonCurrie would set a new course record by over two minutes with his third win in Cairns. Photo: Kevin MackinnonMcKenna would finish as the top Aussie athlete, taking second to go along with his win last month at Ironman Australia. Photo: Kevin MackinnonTim Van Berkel would run his way through the field to take third. Photo: Kevin MackinnonYou’d be happy, too, with a win like this one! Simpson set a new course record by over seven minutes. Photo: Kevin MackinnonKahlefeldt would take second for the second year in a row … Photo: Kevin Mackinnon… and be welcomed to the line by her daughters and husband Brad. Photo: Kevin MackinnonPete Jacobs, the 2012 Ironman world champion, celebrates his fourth-place finish with his family. Photo: Kevin MackinnonAfter taking fourth in Cairns twice, Penny Slater finally got that podium slot she’d worked so hard for! Photo: Kevin MackinnonThere were over 200 relay teams competing in the event. Photo: Kevin MackinnonThe support out on the course is incredible for all the athletes. Photo: Kevin Mackinnon
Photo by:
Kevin Mackinnon
