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Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship

  • It's just starting to rain...I am told it look like the heavens could open and pour down at anytime :(
  • Ladies in 5th to 8th are:
    42. Janine Sax NZL
    45. Eva Wutti AUT
    32. Belinda Granger AUS
    34. Radka Vodickova CZE
  • So much for a 20% chance of rain. The heavens have opened it is pouring down out there. Not much chance of being cold since we are in the tropics but the rain is going to make the already challenging bike course even more tricky.

  • Pro Swim Start

  • First out the water: 29. Daniel Halksworth GBR

  • 1. Michael Raelert GER

  • The heavy rain is making it increasingly difficult to spot the lead athletes here but on the way back in the ladies field we do know that Belinda Granger has passed Amanda Stevens at the bridge.
  • Our spotters are doing a great job out there in some nasty conditions and are feeling a little cold!

  • Updates at the 70km mark for the men as follows:

    10. Paul Ambrose AUS
    14. Paul Matthews AUS
    11. Timothy James Reed AUS
    1. Michael Raelert GER
    6. Richie Cunningham AUS
    15. David Dellows AUS
    30. Joshua McHugh AUS
  • The 80 km mark for the men:

    10. Paul Ambrose AUS
    1. Michael Raelert GER
    14. Paul Matthews AUS
    15. David Dellows AUS
    30. Joshua McHugh AUS
    11. Timothy James Reed AUS
    6. Richie Cunningham AUS
    7. Matt Reed USA
  • 1. Michael Raelert GER has just rolled into T2 in first place and there is a pack chasing.
  • Bike finish:

    1 1 Michael Raelert M 1 Pro GER 02:39:15
    2 10 Paul Ambrose M 1 Pro AUS 02:39:16
    3 15 David Dellow M 1 Pro AUS 02:39:18
    4 14 Paul Matthews M 1 Pro AUS 02:39:19
    5 6 Richie Cunningham M 1 Pro AUS 02:39:22
    6 30 Joshua McHugh M 1 Pro AUS 02:39:33
  • Leading AG female at the half way point:

    93 839 Samantha Ferreira F 30-34 RSA 01:47:27
  • It looks like Massimo Cigana has had an awesome bike in some tough conditions. He has rode himself into 8th place.
  • The Aussies represent the largest contingent here to day and they are showing their strength at the top of the field with 6 pros in the top 10 at the end of the bike.

    Top 10 male off the bike:

    1 1 Michael Raelert M 1 Pro GER 02:39:15
    2 10 Paul Ambrose M 1 Pro AUS 02:39:16
    3 15 David Dellow M 1 Pro AUS 02:39:18
    4 14 Paul Matthews M 1 Pro AUS 02:39:19
    5 6 Richie Cunningham M 1 Pro AUS 02:39:22
    6 30 Joshua McHugh M 1 Pro AUS 02:39:33
    7 7 Matt Reed M 1 Pro USA 02:42:05
    8 5 Massimo Cigana M 1 Pro ITA 02:44:18
    9 11 Timothy James Reed M 1 Pro AUS 02:45:13
    10 9 Alessandro Degasperi M 1 Pro ITA 02:48:19
  • At the end of the bike course the heavy rain has ceased but a flood across the road at Layan has created some entertainment for the athletes. It is not stopping the athletes and we hear that 33. Natascha Badmann SUI just rode through laughing and with a huge smile on her face.
  • Our leading AG male has changed. First into T2 is:
    17 254 Matthias Buxhofer M 35-39 AUT 02:51:06
  • We have just heard from the booming voice of emcee Whit Raymond outside that Aussie and current Ironman 70.3 World Champion Melissa Rollison is the first into T2 and heading out onto the run.
  • Just how big the lead she has over second place remains to be seen. We also are now unsure who is holding second place, due to the freak downpour out on the course.
  • We are waiting confirmation of the second place female. We have a feeling it could be 6 time Ironman World champion 33. Natascha Badmann SUI!
  • Belinda Granger and Emma Kate-Lidbury are just going out onto the run. We can therefore confirm that Natascha Badmann is definitely in 2nd place!
  • Five men started the run within seconds of each other. Raelert, Matthews, Dellows, Ambrose and Cunningham they all have a 3minute lead.
  • Amanda Stevens is out onto the run in 5th place.
  • She has some work to do but 34. Radka Vodickova CZE can run and she is just starting the 21km now in 6th place.
  • We apologise for the delay in tracking, the water is making life tricky not just out on the course. We will update you accurately as soon as we can.

  • She said in transition this morning the nerves never go away but that has to be a great sign: Belinda Granger.

  • Massimo Cigana ITA

  • Still some techie issues, but we know that Michael Raelert is 'killing' the run. He is on the second loop ahead of Richie Cunningham

  • Melissa Rollison has been so fast today this is the first shot we have caught of her!

  • 44 years young, wearing a huge smile and coming in at 2nd place, 33. Natascha Badmann

  • Thank You Whit Raymond - that booming voice tells me that the women's leader, Melissa Rollison has just made the run turn. Yes she is in first place!

  • Cruising back after his 50ft slide, we hope Chris Lieto will be back.

  • This is Thailand!

  • Our spotters are rather wet but braving the elements to help out with the runners. Natascha Badmann has just made the run turn. Odds are she will not catch Rollison but if she can hold onto second place...what an AWESOME result!
  • Once again sorry for for the intermittent reporting: 23. Justin Granger AUS and 25. Jose Estrangeiro POR just made their run turn.
  • So making an estimate, Rollison has an 8minute lead over Badmann. 3rd place female has yet to make her turn.
  • Third place lady is 34. Radka Vodickova CZE.
  • Despite the tough conditions, Michael Raelert showed his pedigree today and came home in 3:51:37 to become the 2011 Ironman Asia-Pacific Champion!
  • Runner up is Richie Cunningham AUS. He crosses the line 03:57:16 and right behind him another Aussie, Paul Matthews 03:58:24.
  • What a great day for Michael Raelert coming home in first place there are four, yes FOUR Aussies behind him. Well done Michael - you can go enjoy your holiday now!

    1 1 Michael Raelert M 1 Pro GER 03:51:36
    2 6 Richie Cunningham M 1 Pro AUS 03:57:16
    3 14 Paul Matthews M 1 Pro AUS 03:58:24
    4 11 Timothy James Reed M 1 Pro AUS 03:59:57
    5 15 David Dellow M 1 Pro AUS 04:01:11
  • Melissa Rollison of Australia is continuing her winning streak this year. Unbeaten at the 70.3 distance, runner up in 2010 she has returned, fitter, faster and stronger and has run home with an elephant by her side for the title in 04:17:01!
  • Whoa...first age grouper across the line. He is 16th overall and I bet he wants to go to Kona!
    16 69 Niels Brandt-Joergensen M 25-29 DEN 04:17:58
  • Winner of M35-39 AG 254 Matthias Buxhofer AUT 04:18:44
  • Winner of M18-24 AG 60 Todd Thekid Spackman AUS 04:19:43
  • Winner of M30-34 AG 155 David Green AUS 04:20:45
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