A delighted Tim Berkel impresses with his seventh place on debut in Hawaii ironman triathlon in Kona

A male Australian triathlete is absent from podium at the Hawaii ironman world championships for the first time since 2005 as Europeans run riot.

Action from the 2014 Cairns Ironman triathlon, held in and around Cairns. Tim Berkel competes in the run leg along the Cairns Marina. Picture: Brendan Radke.

A DELIGHTED Tim Berkel said his seventh place on debut in the Hawaii ironman triathlon has given him the confidence that one day he could race onto the podium of arguably the world’s toughest one day race.

“I’m just so happy. It is a dream come true to be here, let along with as events place,’’ said the NSW triathlete from Kona on Sunday.

“It was such a hard day. The trade winds were absolutely horrendous.

“But I survived and it has given me confidence that one day I might be able to win this race.’’

Australia’s men failed to make the podium of the Hawaii ironman for the first time since 2005 as German Sebastian Kienle claimed the world crown.

Australia’s two former Hawaii ironman champions Craig Alexander and Pete Jacobs finished outside the top 10 as did last year’s runner-up Luke McKenzie.

But Berkel impressed in his maiden Hawaii ironman, eclipsing numerous big names in the sport for a fighting seventh place.

“I was in fourth place untile 6km to go and I just blew up big time. I was in survival mode,’’ he said.

It was a tough day in the office for the more experienced Australians who struggled to find top form in the high eat and strong winds which pummelled the field from just after sunrise.

Australia has been the go-to nation for the Hawaii ironman in recent ears with Alexander wining in 2009, 2009 and 2011 and holding the course record.

“I never thought I would win this thing,’’ an emotional Kienle said.

Craig Alexander after winning the 2011 Hawaii ironman triathlon.

Chris McCormack, who was not racing, won in 2007 and 2007 and 2010 and Jacobs was victor in 2012.

Instead it was a German who today won the men’s title after conquering the gruelling 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run course.

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