Sam Warriner has returned to the winners circle, taking out today's Ironman 70.3 race in Cairns, Australia.
Warriner dominated the race throughout, winning from a fast finishing Kiyomi Niwata (JPN) and Ange Castle (AUS) in a time of 4:39:18.
 Women's podium from Cairns(Photo: Eyes Wide Open Images; click to enlarge) |
The Whangarei mum of one spoke of a busy schedule of late.
"This is my fifth race in five weeks. I love racing in Australia. To come back nine months after having a baby is just brilliant. I am so happy today.
"It's not easy however I am so lucky, we have live-in Grandparents which make the 4:30am swim sessions easier to manage, they help out so much, I have a great husband and a coach. I am very lucky in my situation."
Warriner hinted that she intends adding to the family in the near future.
"I want more kids in the next three years and after that I won't be coming back."
She enjoyed the course today, revelling in the tough conditions.
"Once you get out on the coast the rolling hills along the coastline are just beautiful here in Cairns. It's a tough course, you don't realise how undulating it is and the wind was there the whole time."
Graham O'Grady (Kinloch) finished 6th in the men's race in Cairns, won by Courtney Atkinson (AUS) from another former Olympian in Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS). O'Grady was with the leaders throughout the race but struggled for pace on the run today when the heat took its toll midway through the 21km.
Meanwhile Bevan Docherty (Taupo) made it a winning double for Kiwis, with his victory at Ironman 70.3 in Boise, USA. Docherty is showing the benefits of his long and successful ITU career as he transitions into longer distance racing, aiming at Kona later this year and a tilt at the Ironman World Championships.
The two time Olympic medallist who is in his first season out from the Tri NZ HP Programme was all class in posting the quickest bike and run splits on the day, winning by close to two minutes from Brent McMahon (CAN) and Josh Amberger (AUS).
Docherty described a great day that caps a tough month.
"It's been a hard month dealing with illness, but final feel better and felt great today. It was a very hard course, with dry heat and wind on the bike, but certainly a great test for Kona.
"I'm currently going through a bit of a racing phase; however 10 weeks out I'll shut it down & do serious Ironman training. These longer triathlons are certainly more suited to me at my age, and I'm really enjoying the sport right now."
Fellow Kiwi Callum Millward struggled on the run today and finished in 12th place. Christchurch veteran Bryan Rhodes was 17th and Jamie Whyte was 19th.
Also this weekend James Bowstead (Auckland) raced in the IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman event at Cambridge Maryland (USA) this morning, finising in 6th place, some 15 minutes behind winner Craig Alexander (AUS).
Meanwhile Gina Crawford (Christchurch) is leading the IRONMAN Cairns event on the marathon run, with fellow Kiwi Anna Ross closing quickly in third place. In the men's race Aucklander Cameron Brown has withdrawn due to illness. For live updates, visit www.ironman.com
Ironman 70.3 Cairns
Pro Women
1. Samantha WARRINER (NZL) 4:39:18
2. Kiyomi NIWATA (AUS) 4:40:24
3. Ange CASTLE (AUS) 4:45:40
Ironman 70.3 Boise
Pro Men
1. Bevan Docherty (NZL) 3:52:55
2. Brent McMahon (CAN) 3:54:36
3. Josh Amberger (AUS) 3:57:09
