Aussie Sarah Crowley third at Hawaii ironman triathlon
SARAH Crowley had to overcome the shock and pain of a mid-race bike crash to claim Australia’s only elite medal at the infamous Hawaii ironman at the end of a standout year for the gutsy triathlete.
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SARAH Crowley had to overcome the shock and pain of a mid-race bike crash to claim Australia’s only elite medal at the infamous Hawaii ironman at the end of a standout year for the gutsy triathlete.
Just minutes after her breakthrough performance in one of the toughest multi-endurance races in the world, world long distance champion Crowley claimed she still has plenty of room to improve in her ironman racing.
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“There is still some work to do but that is a good thing because it means there is more to come,’’ Crowley said on Sunday.
Crowley saved the day for Australia in the elite racing in Hawaii as she came from behind to run her way onto the podium in the wake of Swiss triathlete and triple Hawaii champion Daniela Ryf and Hawaii debutant Lucy Charles from Great Britain.
“It was the hardest win I have ever had to fight for a win,’’ said Ryf who posted a winning time of 8:50:47.
“I am so happy.’’
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While Australia’s men have not won an elite medal since Luke McKenzie’s silver in 2013, Crowley’s bronze follows on from Mirinda Carfrae’s silver last year and three world crowns in 2014, 2013 and 2010, bronze in 2012 and silvers in 2011 and 2009, Kate Majors bronzes in 2007, 2005 and 2004 and Michellie Jones win in 2006 and silver in 2005.
“It’s unreal,’’ Crowley said after adding the Hawaii ironman bronze medal to her world long distance crown in a season to remember..
Flying under the radar in the lead-up the infamous race involving a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run, Crowley’s third was an outstanding performance against a world-class field and admirable given her crash on the bike leg when hit by a crosswind while taking a drink.
“I fell over and stacked it,’’ Crowley said.
“I had to burn a few matches to catch up.’’
German Patrick Lange won the men’s race and then apologised to Australian Craig Alexander for breaking his course record.
Patrick Lange came home in 8h 01m 39s to better Alexander’s mark of 8:03:56 clocked when the Australian won his third Hawaii ironman world crown back in 2011.
Canadian Lionel Sanders finished second and Great Britain’s David McNamee third with Tim Van Berkel (8:28:05) the best placed Australian in the men’s race with his 15th.
Australia has a long history in the Hawaii ironman with the likes of Carfrae, Jones, Greg Welch, Alexander, Chris McCormack and Pete Jacobs all previous winners of the tough multi-endurance event.
Crowley’s victory at the long course triathlon championships in Canada in August was her first world crown and was the first indication the Australian could be a force in the lava fields on the Big Island of Hawaii
Swiss triathlete Danielle Ryf won the 2017 Hawaii ironman triathlon for her third title in a row at Kailua-Kona.
“It was the hardest win I have ever had to fight for a win,’’ said Ryf who posted a time of 8:50:47 to finish ahead of British triathlete Lucy Charles
“I am so happy.’’
Charles posted a 8:59:38 in the race and Crowley a 9:01:38.