Zeiger, Cunningham Lay Down the Law In Austin
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Current Ironman 70.3 World Champion Joanna Zeiger proved she is more than ready to defend her crown next month, while Australia’s Richie Cunningham successfully defended his 2008 Longhorn title.
American Zeiger exited the warm waters of Decker Lake first in a speedy time of 23:47, followed closely by Canadian Tereza Macel. Despite a slower 32-minute swim, young pro Heather Jackson proved her bike skills will make her one to watch by posting a smoking 2:16:33 on the bike, by far the fastest female bike split of the day. Zeiger continued her lead, finishing in 4:14:53, while Jackson ran her way to second place in 4:17:14. Swiss triathlete Nicole Hofer posted impressive 2:12:47 bike and 1:28:53 run times, finishing in third place in 4:20:44.
Cunningham and American Brian Fleischmann battled for much of the day, exiting the water within a minute of one another in 22:57 and 22:35 and exiting the bike in 2:10:22 and 2:10:56. The pushing point finally came in the run, when Cunningham was able to pull ahead, running a 1:12:11 and crossing the line in 3:48:55. Fleischmann ran a 1:13:39 for a second-place finish in 3:50:43. Italy’s Alessandro Degasperi rounded out the podium in 3:51:15.
Longhorn Ironman 70.3
October 24, 2009
Austin, Texas
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Men
- Richie Cunningham (AUS) 3:48:55
- Brian Fleischmann (USA) 3:50:43
- Alessandro Degasperi (ITA) 3:51:15
- Luke Bell (AUS) 3:51:51
- Massimo Cigana (ITA) 3:52:28
Women
- Joanna Zeiger (USA) 4:14:53
- Heather Jackson (USA) 4:17:14
- Nicole Hofer (SWI) 4:20:44
- Kelly Williamson (USA) 4:21:45
- Tereza Macel (CAN) 4:26:46