Buckingham, Piampiano Victorious At Ironman Vineman

Warm conditions did not slow down Kyle Buckingham (RSA) and Sarah Piampiano (USA), who both used impressive bike and run splits to take home the crown at the inaugural Ironman Vineman triathlon.

RELATED PHOTOS: 2016 Ironman Vineman

Buckingham was third off the bike (52:46 swim), first off of the bike (4:30:39) and then capped off his day was a 3:00:13 marathon to take the win in 8:27:58. Australia’s Chris McDonald was steady all day to cross the finish line in  8:34:53. American Jonathan Shearon earned the final podium spot at 8:39:24.

In the women’s race, Piampiano dominated the field to take the victory in 9:19:05. Her day was made up of a 1:08:58 swim, a 4:57:13 bike and a 3:07:07 marathon. It was an all-American podium with Ashley Paulson in second at 10:03:38 and Jessica Smith in third at 10:17:17.

While Vineman is the oldest iron-distance event in the continental U.S. (dating back to 1990), this was its first year as an Ironman-branded race. In total, the event saw nearly 2,000 athletes representing 28 countries and 48 states start the race.

2016 Ironman Vineman
Sonoma County, Calif. – July 30, 2016
2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run

Men
1. Kyle Buckingham (RSA) 8:27:58
2. Chris McDonald (AUS) 8:34:53
3. Jonathan Shearon (USA) 8:39:24
4. Barrett Brandon (USA) 8:44:17
5. Richie Cunningham (AUS) 8:46:39

Women
1. Sarah Piampiano (USA) 9:19:05
2. Ashley Paulson (USA) 10:03:38
3. Jessica Smith (USA) 10:17:17
4. Kyra Wiens (USA) 10:19:40
5. Katy Cargiulo (USA) 10:36:41