Vernay, Crawford Take Ironman Western Australia Titles
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New Caledonia’s Patrick Vernay and New Zealand’s Gina Crawford overcame tough conditions and their fellow competitors to take titles at Saturday’s Ironman Western Australia.
Vernay worked his way to the front over the course of the day, coming out of the water eighth, heading off of the bike in sixth and winning the race with a 2:47:48 marathon. Vernay’s victory was less than four minutes over runner-up Scott Neyedli of Great Britain. Neyedli earned second position with a steady effort on swim, bike and run for a total time of 8:17:47. Denmark’s Jimmy Johnsen posted the fastest bike split at 4:30:31 and held on for third at 8:21:11.
Crawford defended her 2008 title by holding the lead throughout most of the day. Crawford’s efforts earned her a total time of 9:16:52. Australia’s Christie Sym narrowly took second place at 9:20:41. Sym’s pack-leading bike split of 4:56:58 gave her just enough of a gap to hold off Australia’s Sarah Pollett by less than a minute in the end. Pollett earned the final podium position at 9:21:33.
Ironman Western Australia
Busselton, Australia
2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run
Men
1. Patrick Vernay (NCL) 8:13:59
2. Scott Neyedli (GBR) 8:17:47
3. Jimmy Johnsen (DEN) 8:21:11
4. Courtney Ogden (AUS) 8:22:06
5. Matty White (AUS) 8:35:03
Women
1. Gina Crawford (AUS) 9:16:52
2. Christie Sym (AUS) 9:20:41
3. Sarah Pollett (AUS) 9:21:33
4. Charlotte Paul (AUS) 9:33:05
5. Kate Bevilaqua (AUS)9:45:53