Belgian wins Ironman
By Tabisa Mntengwana
24 January 2012
MARINO Vanhoenacker is the new champion of the Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa, trouncing the competition on a stiflingly hot Sunday.
Belgian Vanhoenacker has participated in various Ironman events, including those in Port Elizabeth and Austria. He has won Ironman Austria six consecutive times.
Speaking about the race, the Belgian athlete said: "It was hard in the swim but I knew I had to break away from the pack on the cycle course and that's what made me win this triathlon . I maintained the gap between me and the second lead and at the end it was comfortable but hard to win."
Second place in the men's race was Ronnie Schildknecht, followed by Domenico Passuello. The women's race was won by Jodie Swallow, with Lucie Zelenkova in second place and Tine Deckers in third.
Supporter turnout was excellent, with residents and visitors coming out in their droves to cheer on the athletes.
The event kicked off at 7am with Deputy Mayor Mzwandile Msoki pulling the trigger on the starter's gun. Edo van der Meer emerged on the beach after the swim, the first event, at 00:26:29.
Hungarian Balazs Csoke followed and Brit Mark Threlfall and South African Kent Horner contested third place just two seconds behind the leader. Vanhoenacker was in fifth place.
But he made up for time in the cycle race, when he took the lead, chased by Italian Passuello, who was two minutes behind. Schildknecht brought up third place.
Race leader Vanhoenacker sailed through the run, winning the triathlon in 04:06:25. Swiss Schildknecht clocked 04:12:56 and Passuello came through at 04:18:37.
The ladies field followed a similar trend with Swallow leading from start to finish. Brit defending champion Swallow completed her swim at 00:26:56, followed by Zelenkova at 00:28:42 and South African Andrea Steyn at 00:31:17. In fourth place was Riana de Lange; Claire Horner was fifth.
Swallow maintained her pace in the cycle and run courses, reaching the finishing line at 04:39:01; Zelenkova finished at 04:43:56 and Deckers came in at 04:46:13.
Speaking about the race, Swallow said: "The race was very difficult. I am happy I finally made it to the finishing line. It was not easy defending this title."
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