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Still work to do for world champion Pete Jacobs

REIGNING triathlon world champion Pete Jacobs still has work to do as he aims to defend his title in Hawaii during October.

Sunrise Beach's Pete Jacobs. Picture: Warren Lynam
Sunrise Beach's Pete Jacobs. Picture: Warren Lynam

REIGNING triathlon world champion Pete Jacobs still has work to do as he aims to defend his title in Hawaii during October.

The Sunrise Beach triathlete finished fourth today in the Cairns 70.3 (1.8km swim, 90km ride, 21km run) in his second major hit-out since returning from injury.

Jacobs was trumped by Olympic-distance converts Courtney Atktinson and Brad Kahlefeldt. Atkinson held off a fast finishing Kahlefeldt to win by 51 seconds - Jacobs was 3:31 down on Atktinson.

Mooloolaba's Casey Munro had a solid race, finishing in seventh position. 

The women's event was won by Samantha Warriner of New Zealand. Former Currimundi resident Ange Castle was fourth overall, but third in the professional field.

The men's result was a hefty improvement for Jacobs after a poor racing return at Honu 70.3 in Hawaii where he finished eighth in 4:33.

Jacobs was pleased to get the job done given a difficult lead-up. 

"Anything could have happened on race day, there has been a lot of travel lately and commitments and I had a cold in the lead up that luckily disappeared yesterday," Jacobs said.

"I felt good this morning and took it easy in the swim. I was really pleased that I felt good on the bike and things were progressing well. I ran up to fourth place, I haven't done any running since I raced last weekend so I am pretty happy with today.

"It is pretty windy on some sections but it's not too harsh."

Atkinson said the tough, wet and windy conditions will ensure everyone earns their Ironman stripes today. 

"It was really tough today. Really tough conditions out there," he said.

"I went out for a training run the other day and was pretty happy with my time and when I looked at my time today my time kept slipping and slipping and after a while you just have to let those thoughts slide and focus on the finish.

After the race Kahlefeldt recognised Attkinson won the race with a strong bike leg. 

"All credit to Courtney (Atkinson), it was a fantastic race," he said.

"He pushed the bike really hard.

"I am very happy with a podium finish here today. This distance is very different to what I am used to. It was a tough day out there, that wind was pretty brutal, especially on the highway. 

"I am enjoying this long course racing so I think I might stick around for the next one or two years at least to see what I can do."

70.3 Top 10 Men
1 Courtney ATKINSON (1610) AUS 3:56:33
2 Brad KAHLEFELDT (1624) AUS +00:00:51
3 Tim REED (1606) AUS +00:03:19
4 Pete JACOBS (1601) AUS +00:03:31
5 Sam APPLETON (1611) AUS +00:06:58
6 Graham O'GRADY (1615) NZL +00:07:47
7 Casey MUNRO (1614) AUS +00:11:43
8 Braden CURRIE (1626) NZL +00:13:55
9 Sam BETTEN (1609) AUS +00:24:23
10 Brad WAUER (1623) AUS +00:25:15

70.3 Women Top 10 
1
Samantha WARRINER (1632) Pro NZL 4:39:18
2 Kiyomi NIWATA (1636) Pro AUS +00:01:06
3 Kym JAENKE (2226) 35-39 AUS +-00:00:5
4 Ange CASTLE (1634) Pro AUS +00:06:22
5 Matilda RAYNOLDS (1638) Pro AUS +00:07:13
6 Rachael SMITH (2260) 35-39 AUS +00:03:42
7 Rebecca HOSCHKE (1633) Pro AUS +00:10:37
8 Kristy HALLETT (1639) Pro AUS +00:16:54
9 Olivia LATIMER (2232) 35-39 AUS +00:18:09
10 Rosie MCGEOCH (2244) 35-39 AUS +00:21:46

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/sunshine-coast/sport/still-work-to-do-for-world-champion-pete-jacobs/news-story/f109dbcb534045025967a2448bec293c