Published June 22, 2014 01:07PM
Thomas, Kessler Win 70.3 Mont-Tremblant
The race served as a preview of sorts for this year’s Ironman 70.3 World Championship, which will take place on Sept. 7.
Kessler earned the women's title. Photo: Julien Heon Photography (www.julienheon.com)
Americans Jesse Thomas and Meredith Kessler won Sunday’s Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant. The race served as a preview of sorts for this year’s Ironman 70.3 World Championship, which will take place on a similar course in the same city on Sept. 7.
David Kahn (USA) was by far the fastest swimmer at this race, exiting the water at 23:41—more than two minutes ahead of Thomas, Leon Griffin (AUS) and Trevor Wurtele (CAN). Thomas, Griffin and Wurtele easily made up that gap on the bike, with Thomas posting the fastest bike split of the day (2:10:07) and earning a 1:32 lead over Wurtele and a 4:19 lead over Griffin to start the run. Thomas’ lead only grew from there. His 1:13:15 run was the exclamation point on a strong all-around day. He crossed the finish line at 3:52:31 to win and earn valuable points toward Ironman 70.3 World Championship qualification. Wurtele also had a strong run (1:14:27) to finish second. Griffin rounded out the podium at 4:05:20.
The women’s race kicked off with a battle between Julie Dibens (GBR) and Kessler, with both exiting the water just past the 25-minute mark. Magali Tisseyre (CAN), who is from the Quebec region of Canada, was third out of the water more than two-and-a-half minutes later. With Kessler and Dibens building such a strong lead early on, it left little chance for the rest of the women’s field. The two stayed close on the 56-mile bike ride and came into T2 within seconds of each other. From there, Kessler dominated the half-marathon in 1:24:39, crossing the finish line at 4:13:23 victory. Although Dibens’ pace slowed on the run, her strong performance on the swim and bike gave her enough of a cushion to easily finish second. Great Britain’s Laura Siddall finished third.
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2014 Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant
Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada – June 22, 2014
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Men
1. Jesse Thomas (USA) 3:52:31
2. Trevor Wurtele (CAN) 3:55:17
3. Leon Griffin (AUS) 4:05:20
4. David Kahn (USA) 4:06:42
5. Andrew Fast (USA) 4:22:43
Women
1. Meredith Kessler (USA) 4:13:23
2. Julie Dibens (GBR) 4:20:53
3. Laura Siddall (GBR) 4:23:48
4. Magali Tisseyre (CAN) 4:31:15
5. Suzanne Zelazo (CAN) 4:50:32