Schildknecth, Schutz Win On Home Turf At Ironman 70.3 Switzerland
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Switzerland’s Ronnie Schildknecht and Sarah Schutz claimed victory in their home country’s 70.3 on Sunday. The two stars narrowly beat out the second place finishers for the wins.
Schildnecht’s win expands on an already successful 2009 season. The Swiss star finished the 2008 season with a fourth-place finish in the Ironman World Championships in Kona, and looks to be in top form heading into the later part of the season with a victory at Ironman 70.3 Switzerland at 3:54:30. Fellow Swiss triathlete Mike Aigroz kept pace with Schildnecht throughout the day, and earned a second place finish thanks to a run time of 1:16:43. Aigroz’s total runner-up time was 3:56:10. Rounding out the podium was Italy’s Alessandro Degasperi 3:57:47.
Schutz’s victory was also tough, with Hungarian triathlete and Teamtbb member Erika Csomor racing tough throughout the day. Schutz’s win was in great part to her field-leading half-marathon time of 1:24:52, giving her an overall time of 4:28:26. Csomor is still looking for a victory this season with a second-place time of 4:29:03. Another Swiss triathlete, Simone Benz, faired well on her home turf, finishing third at 4:33:36.
Ironman 70.3 Switzerland
Rapperswil, Switzerland – June 7, 2009
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Men
1. Ronnie Schildknecht (SUI) 3:54:30
2. Mike Aigroz (SUI) 3:56:10
3. Alessandro Degasperi (ITA) 3:57:47
4. Jimmy Johnsen (DEN) 3:58:39
5. Massimo Cigana (ITA) 3:59:26
Women
1. Sarah Schutz (SUI) 4:28:26
2. Erika Csomor (HUN) 4:29:03
3. Simone Benz (SUI) 4:33:36
4. Karin Thurig (SUI) 4:35:03
5. Sybille Matter (SUI) 4:37:05