Cunnama, Dibens Victorious At Rev3 Quassy

South Africa’s James Cunnama narrowly held off New Zealand’s Terenzo Bozzone to take his first win at Rev3 Quassy. In the women’s race, Great Britain’s Julie Dibens turned in a solid all-around effort to hold off two-time defending champion Mirinda Carfrae of Australia and earn the victory.

Men’s Race

The men’s race started out with American John Kenny completing the 1.2-mile swim in a time of 22:56. American Matt Reed, the winner of this race in 2009, led a large chase pack including Andrew Starykowicz (USA), Terenzo Bozzone (NZL), Paul Matthews (AUS) and Richie Cunningham (AUS). As the large group headed onto the hilly 56-mile bike course, Starykowicz pushed the pace and found the lead early on. Despite not being in the main swim group, James Cunnama (RSA), Dan Hugo (RSA) and Joe Gambles (AUS) worked hard on the bike, passing several top contenders to make up the main chase group behind Starykowicz.

Starykowicz posted a field-leading bike time of 2:14:42 to start the run in first position. Cunnama was the next man onto the run course less than a minute later. It was obvious early on in the half marathon that a fast-running Cunnama would be the man to beat. Only Gambles and Bozzone had the firepower necessary to keep pace with the South African. Cunnama barely held on for the 3:59:17 victory. Bozzone sprinted in for second just 12 seconds later. Gambles earned the final podium spot in 3:59:48.

Women’s Race

Great Britain’s Liz Blatchford led the efforts for the women in the swim, emerging from the water in a time of 26:03. Fellow Brit Julie Dibens was next into T1 in 26:34, with American Mary Beth Ellis taking the third position. Proving that the swim is no longer a weakness for her, two-time defending champion Carfrae was the fourth women to finish the swim. As is almost always the case in any race she enters, Dibens found her way to the front in the early miles of the bike. By mile 42 Dibens had established a lead of 4:40 over American Malaika Homo, and a 5:12 lead over Carfrae and American Jessica Meyers.

By the end of the 56-mile ride Dibens’ closest competitor was Carfrae. Once again, the women’s race would come down to whether or not Dibens could manage enough running strength to hold off one of the fastest runners in the sport in Carfrae. Dibens’ half marathon effort was more than enough to earn the victory. She crossed the finish line in 4:23:37. Despite running a faster half marathon than a year ago, Carfrae was forced to settle for second at 4:26:24. Canada’s Angela Naeth finished third.

Revolution3 Quassy Triathlon
Middlebury, Conn. – June 5, 2011
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run

Men
1. James Cunnama (RSA) 3:59:17
2. Terenzo Bozzone (NZL) 3:59:29
3. Joe Gambles (AUS) 3:59:48
4. Paul Matthews (AUS) 4:00:38
5. Matt Reed (USA) 4:01:19

Women
1. Julie Dibens (GBR) 4:23:37
2. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 4:26:24
3. Angela Naeth (CAN) 4:30:52
4. Liz Blatchford (GBR) 4:32:11
5. Heather Jackson (USA) 4:34:16