Weekend Recap: 70.3 Action From Taupo And Ballarat

Though triathlon action in the Northern Hemisphere has gone quiet, both New Zealand and Australia saw competitive 70.3 action this weekend with some big names coming out on top.

Ironman 70.3 Taupo

New Zealand’s Braden Currie scored arguably the best win of his triathlon career Saturday in Taupo, while the United States’ Meredith Kessler – a four-time winner of Ironman New Zealand – held off the challenge of Kiwi Amelia Watkinson to take the women’s title. Read the recap at Ironman.com.

Ironman 70.3 Taupo
Taupo, New Zealand – Dec. 12, 2015
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run

Men
1 Braden Currie (NZL) 3:51:47
2 Callum Millward (NZL) 3:52:37
3 Dylan McNeice (NZL) 3:57:47
4 Graham O’Grady (NZL) 4:03:14
5 Dougal Allan (NZL) 4:03:35

Women
1 Meredith Kessler (USA) 4:17:30
2 Amelia Watkinson (NZL) 4:18:11
3 Laura Siddall (GBR) 4:19:31
4 Sam Warriner (NZL) 4:25:48
5 Tineke Stewart (NZL) 4:35:29

Ironman 70.3 Ballarat

It proved a breakthrough victory for Matthew Pellow, while Annabel Luxford reinforced her strong form to make it two wins in a row following victory at Western Sydney. Read the race recap at Ironman.com.

Ironman 70.3 Ballarat
Ballarat, Victoria, Australia – Dec. 13, 2015
1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run

Men
1. Mathew Pellow (AUS) 3:51:21
2. Per Bittner (GER) 3:55:16
3. Nick Baldwin (SEY) 3:56:13
4. Brad Wauer (AUS) 3:57:25
5. Hayden Armstrong (AUS) 3:57:55

Women
1. Annabel Lixford (AUS) 4:10:46
2. Yvonne Van Vlerken (NED) 4:15:15
3. Kate Pedley (AUS) 4:18:12
4. Beth Gerdes (USA) 4:20:31
5. Jessica Mitchell (AUS) 4:24:37