International Triathlon News > Chris McCormack takes out Ironman 70.3 Austria by 3 seconds

Chris McCormack takes out Ironman 70.3 Austria by 3 seconds

26/05/2009 10:41:52 PM

Former Ford Ironman world champion and last year's Ironman Austria champ win in St. Pölten

Published Monday, May 25, 2009

Macca and Wallenhorst take Ironman 70.3 AustriaAfter an exciting day of racing Chris McCormack finished just seconds ahead of Marino Vanhoenacker at the third Ironman 70.3 Austriain St. Pölten. while Sandra Wallenhorst wins the women's race in 4:28:46.

Ironman 70.3 Austria started at with ideal weather conditions at Lake Viehofner See. About 10,000 spectators attended the swim start two watch the 1,929 participants and 71 teams start the 1.9km swim, 90 km cycle and 21.1km run.

Marko Albert (EST) set a new swim record in 23:18, followed by Adam Molnar (HUN) with McCormack in fifth. The first woman out of the water was Lucie Zelenkova (CZE) chased by Eva Dollinger (AUT) in 25:26 and Gina Ferguson (NZE) in 25:30.

On the bike course McCormack (AUS) took an early lead ahead of Adam Molnar (HUN). At 21 km there was a change of leaders as Vanhoenacker (BEL) overtook McCormack. Albert Marko (EST) and Adam Molnar (HUN) were close behind. From this point McCormack and Vanhoenacker battled in an exciting head-to-head challenge. Last year's winner Massimo Cigana found himself chasing in fourth.

Finally it was McCormack who went into the transition first with Vanhoenacker only a hundredth of a second behind. Marko and Cigana followed in third and fourth respectively.

On the women’s side Zelenkova held the lead, chased by Dollinger.

McCormack and Vanhoenacker started the run together. Even at 11 km the two were running side by side.

Zelenkova and Dollinger started the run at the same time followed by Caroline Steffen (SUI), but Wallenhorst (GER) took the lead at 4.2 km.

McCormack got to the line in 3:54:15, with Vanhoenecker just three seconds behind. Third was Massimo Cigana in 3:54:18.

Sandra Wallenhorst took the women's title in 4:28:46. Second was Lucie Zelenkova in 4:30:00 and Caroline Steffen took third in 4:31:50.