Athletes set records in near-perfect conditions at Ironman NZ 2015
They came, they saw, they conquered. Well, most of them did. The 2015 Ironman New Zealand at Taupo had near perfect conditions, but was as tough as ever.
A calm, chilly Taupo dawn was shattered Saturday by the boom of the cannon at 6.45am signalling the start of Ironman New Zealand 2015.
With only their swimming caps to differentiate them, 1250 wetsuit-clad male and female Ironman athletes plunged into the lake and jostled for position in the 3.8km swim first leg.
Near-perfect conditions resulted in swim-time bests for many of the competitors before they embarked on the hilly 180km bike leg. Dedicated volunteers directed the cyclists and army medics and emergency services picked up (and patched up) competitors whose dreams had met unplanned mishaps.
For the professional athletes, especially New Zealanders Cameron Brown, Terenzo Bozzone, Gina Crawford and American, Meredith Kessler it was another day to show just what they have got.
Brown and Bozzone battled it out – taking turns at the front of the swim and cycle legs. At the end of the day, it seemed age continues to have no barriers for Brown as he ran comfortably over the finish line. Despite his best efforts, once again Bozzone played second fiddle and he finished a in second place.
Kessler looked sharp from the start and proved once again to spectators why she has been the fastest woman competitor for the last three Ironman Taupo events.
Kessler looked comfortable throughout each of the swimming, cycling, and running legs and remained some distance in front of second-placed Crawford to maintain her winning edge.
For the amateurs, those fast enough to finish around the 10-hour mark beat the rain, wind and cooling autumnal conditions that greeted slower athletes out on the 42.2km marathon course until the event finished at midnight.
A delighted-looking Hamilton-based Mike Wright, competitor number 283, who finished fifth in his age group at 9.45.29 hours must have been well-pleased to be inside the massage tent at the end of the event when the weather closed in.
Throughout the event, whether professional or amateur, the well-known Ironman voice of MC, American Mike Reilly filled the Taupo evening sound waves, greeting each and every individual finisher with “You are an Ironman”.
