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Swallow and Van Hoenacker Dominate Buffalo City 70.3
Defending Champion Jodie Swallow rose to the occasion to successfully defend her 70.3 title down at Buffalo City on January 22nd. Coming into the race, Swallow had endured a somewhat miserable on and off season since winning the event in 2011. Plagued by injury and illness since her win last year, she came to East London fresh and ready to start 2012 on a positive note. She had spent some time training down in the Cape with partner James Cunnama and this seemed to pay off as she hit the water for the start of the 1.9km ocean swim. Conditions for the swim were ideal with a water temperature of around 16 degrees awaiting the 3000 competitors as they entered the Indian Ocean for what is now, the largest 70.3 event in the world. Swallow was comfortably nestled amongst the top 5 men for the duration of the swim and indeed left T2 in 3rd place overall. A great way to start the defence of the title she cruised to in 2011. Her nearest competitor was Lucia Zelenkova herself no slouch in swim, who exited the water in second place intent on putting pressure on Swallow over the gruelling 92km bike route. Jodie extended her lead over Zelenkova to finish the bike with a healthy 6:30 lead over Zelenkova as she hit the run for the final 21km showdown. Not her greatest strength, Swallow ran within herself and never looked in trouble as she played the consummate professional by keep Lucie at bay over the 2 lap run course. Zelenkova did indeed close the gap but it was not enough as Swallow cruised across the line in just under 4:40. Zelenkova was to follow some 4 minutes back for a well deserved 2nd place with Tine Dekkers from Belgium taking the final ladies podium spot a few minutes or so back. Local Lass, Claire Horner did the country proud by coming across the line in 4th position overall to cement her position as South Africa’s leading long distance female triathlete
The men’s race had a clear favourite before it even started with Marino Van Hoenacker tipped as a likely winner ahead of the rest of the Men’s Pro field. He took his time in the transition after the swim leg and only left in 5th position looking in control and supremely confident at the start of the bike leg. He headed off in pursuit of the early pace setters who were around 45 seconds up the road. Local South African, Kent Horner had a great race as he left T2 in 2nd position overall. It was clear that the Belgium powerhouse was going to assert his dominance on the bike and he never disappointed. He came into T3 with a 7 minute lead over the chase pack. The race by then was already over bar the shouting as Van Hoenacker set off on a sub 3:20 per km run pace to drive the final nail into the coffin of his fellow competitors. Ronnie Schildeknecht who is renowned for his incredible power on the bike never came close to Van Hoenacker and rode into T3 with Italian Domenico Passuello and Horner, almost 7 minutes off the pace after the completion of the swim and bike. Having said that, Schildeknecht ran superbly to ensure that Van Hoenacker had to keep up his pace on the run or risk the Swiss powerhouse catching him from behind. The Italian, Passuello was also consistent as he strove to defend his 3rd position out on the hot and humid 2 loop run route. Marino crossed the line in a little over 4:06 with Ronnie Schidleknecht a further 6 minutes back in 2nd place. Passuello ran home for 3rd with the Brit, Mark Threfall running down Kent Horner to take 4th overall
A great start to the 70.3 season with some sterling performances from two of the World’s Top Ultra Distance Triathlon Stars
Men’s Results
1. Marino Vanhoenacker (Belgium) 04:06:25
2. Ronnie Schildeknecht (Switzerland) 04:12:56
3. Domenico Passuello (Italy) 04:18:37
4. Mark Threlfall (Great Britain) 04:19:46
5. Kent Horner (South Africa) 04:21:34
Ladies Results
1. Jodie Swallow (Great Britain) 04:39:01
2. Lucie Zelenkova (Czech Republic) 04:43:56
3. Tine Deckers (Belgium) 04:46:13
4. Claire Horner (South Africa) 04:51:39
5. Susie Hignett (Great Britain) 05:02:02