Andy Potts, Angela Naeth Win Ironman 70.3 Eagleman

Published June 9, 2013 11:42AM

The United States’ Andy Potts and Canada’s Angela Naeth claimed victories at the 2013 Ironman 70.3 Eagleman triathlon in Cambridge, Md.

Men’s Race
Potts led the men out of the 1.2-mile swim with a time of 23:43. Fellow American David Kahn followed just over a minute back, with Igor Amorelli (BRA) and Greg Bennett (AUS) earning the third and fourth spot into T1. Both Amorelli and Bennett posted blazing bike splits on the 56-mile course to catch up to Potts by the time they reached T2. Amorelli gained the edge out of transition with Bennett and Potts chasing. James Cunamma (NZL), one of the fastest runners in the sport, started the half marathon 2:30 back of that lead trio. Potts found the lead up front and while Cunnama did get into striking distance, the gap was too large. Potts earned an impressive victory in 3:47:46. Cunnama posted the fastest run split of the day (1:12:16) to claim second in 3:49:00. Ukraine’s Victor Zyemtsev passed a fading Bennett and Amorelli to earn third. Bennett, one week removed from a 70.3 Raleigh victory, finished fourth, with Amorelli grabbing fifth.

Women’s Race
The women’s race was broken wide open early on. Both pre-race favorites and former 70.3 Eagleman winners Meredith Kessler (USA) and Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) completed the swim, but did not post any splits beyond that. It was reported that Kessler was sent to a local hospital after a bike crash, and Carfrae later tweeted that her hamstrings locked up on the bike. (Update on Kessler: She tweeted that she has a concussion and no broken bones. Keep up on her recovery by following her on Twitter @Mbkessler.)

Olympian Laura Bennett (USA) led the women out of the 1.2-mile swim in 25:49 with Kessler right on her heels. American Jenna Parker was the third women into transition just under a minute back of Bennett. Naeth was the 10th women out of the water and quickly went to work on the bike to try to eliminate a nearly four-minute deficit out of the swim. Naeth crushed the cycling portion of the race in 2:18:29 to gain a 90-second lead over Tenille Hoogland (CAN) and Parker to start the run. Naeth backed up the dominate bike performance with a race-best run performance. Her 1:23:27 half marathon gave her the 4:14:06 win. Bennett, who like her husband won 70.3 Raleigh a week ago, finished second. Amber Ferreira (USA) rounded out the podium in third thanks to a solid day across swim, bike and run.

Ironman 70.3 Eagleman
Cambridge, Md. – June 9, 2013
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run

Men
1. Andy Potts (USA) 3:47:46
2. James Cunnama (NZL) 3:49:00
3. Viktor Zyemtsev (UKR) 3:53:24
4. Greg Bennett (AUS) 3:54:05
5. Igor Amorelli (BRA) 3:55:24

Women
1. Angela Naeth (CAN) 4:14:06
2. Laura Bennett (USA) 4:17:21
3. Amber Ferreira (USA) 4:22:26
4. Ashley Clifford (USA) 4:22:53
5. Sarah Piampiano (USA) 4:25:41

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