TRIATHLON

Currie, Kessler corkers at IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo

By Ironman New Zealand

Multisporter-turned-triathlete Braden Currie scored arguably the best win of his fledgling triathlon career to win the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo on Saturday.

Currie, a two-time Coast-to-Coast winner, dominated off the bike to beat a quality international field in the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 event in Taupo.

He held off the well-performed Kiwi Callum Millward and early leader Dylan McNeice to win in 3:51:47.


Braden Currie winning the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo. Credit: Darryl Carey


Meanwhile superstar American Meredith Kessler, a four-time winner of IRONMAN New Zealand, was forced to dig deep to hold off the charge from young Kiwi Amelia Watkinson to win the women's title.

US-based British athlete Laura Siddall was third ahead of Samantha Warriner, the former world number one ITU athlete and IRONMAN New Zealand champion, who brought the curtain down on her stellar career in her new hometown of Taupo.

The Wanaka-based Currie, who has his sights set on the Rio Olympics, surprised many with a superb swim, coming out o f the 1.9km splash in the crystal clear waters of Lake Taupo fourth in 24"33, just 50s down on leader McNeice.

By the 45km turn at Reporoa, Currie, Millward and McNeice had formed a flying group with fellow Kiwis Matt Franklin and Graham O'Grady, as pre-race favourite Tim van Berkel (AUS) fell behind and then crashed and Auckland hope Mark Bowstead punctured.

Currie was first into transition and put the hammer down opening a 51s lead at 5km and 1:06 from Millward at the halfway mark back in the city. He managed to protect his advantage on his way to his first IRONMAN 70.3 victory.

"I was really happy with that. It was a great win and reasonably unexpected for me," Currie said. "It showed the gains I've made in training and that was really pleasing because I really didn't have a clue how I would go today.

"The swim set things up for me because I didn't have to work so hard. It is reasonably hilly the first part of the ride and suited me coming from a mountain bike multisport background. I used it to jump back on to the back of that front bunch and I was able to pace off those guys more."

Millward was pleased with his effort on the back of a long season with some excellent podium placing and after recovering from a tough debut at the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii.

"I was pretty solid and had a good day. Braden had an exceptional day and surprised everyone with his good swim which is usually his Achilles heal. That put him straight in the race.

"It came down to a foot race and he went like a bat out-of-hell out of transition.  I just settled into my work and couldn't really get close to him but was able to see him the whole way.

"I am pleased to have a good race after Hawaii which was a bad day."


American Meredith Kessler was forced to dig deep for her win. Credit: Darryl Carey

Kessler has enjoyed a stellar season with three IRONMAN Victories and four wins over IRONMAN 70.3, coming to Taupo after defending her title at IRONMAN Arizona last month.

She was a minute clear out o f the 1.9km swim and maintained that buffer midway on the 90km bike from Warriner, who was ensuring she gave her final professional race everything she could muster.

Warriner closed the margin to 30 seconds going on to the 21.1km run but her challenge faded, eventually finishing fourth.

However Kessler found a new challenge as the 24-year-old Watkinson closed to within 50 seconds with 5km remaining.

"I didn't see her until after the turn at Rainbow Point and I literally had to really sprint it home from there," said Kessler.

"That was by far the toughest race and toughest win this year. I had to use everything in my toolbox to hold Amelia off especially the last 5km.

"My husband and I are instantly at peace when we touchdown in Taupo. We love this place and I am so thrilled to start the year and now end the year with wins in Taupo where we are supported so well is very special."

Watkinson was delighted she was able to close the gap on Kessler, benefitting from hard work during the winter, after moving to Hawkes Bay.

"It sets me up now to look at racing more IRONMAN 70.3s next year to qualify for the world championship."

The podium presentation was halted as all rose to welcome home Warriner in fourth place and end an outstanding career in the sport.

The race attracted 1200 competitors from 34 countries.

Results:

Elite Men: Braden Currie (NZL) 3:51:47, 1; Callum Millward (NZL) 3:52:37, 2; Dylan mcNeice (NZL) 3:57:47, 3; Graham O'Grady (NZL) 4:03:14, 4; Dougal Allan (NZL) 4:03:35, 5.

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