It was another day to forget Down Under for Spanish triathlon legend Javier Gomez as a mechanical forced him out of IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania in Hobart.
However, for fellow Dr Dan Plews coached athlete Chelsea Sodaro, today’s win was her first since she took the tape at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona 18 months ago.
In the men’s race, Australian Nick Thompson got the best of a strong field in wet and wild conditions to take a solid win on home soil.
Australians sweep the podium on home turf
In the men’s race, it seemed like a bad omen to be leading out of the water, as both Gomez and Kiwi Braden Currie saw their day ended early on the bike after a brilliant swim.
For Gomez, this was the third straight race he has failed to finish in Oceania, following a DNF at IRONMAN 70.3 Taupo and a DSQ at the Tauranga Half last month.
Unfortunately for Currie, the wet conditions on the bike caused him to crash more than once, before the combination of crashes coupled with a flat tyre saw him pull out of the race.
Taking advantage of the situation, however, was Thompson, who along with home town hero Cam Wurf surged through the field on the bike, before a slow puncture left Wurf with little choice but to roll it in over the last couple of kilometres.
[Photo Credit – Korupt Vision]
Starting the run with more than a five minute lead, Thompson was never going to be caught, despite the best efforts of fellow Australian Mitch Kibby, who just pipped Wurf to second place and a slot to Taupo for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in December.
Big win for Sodaro following great run
In the women’s race, it was Hanne De Vet who led the way out of the water, with the Belgian enjoying more than a minute lead over Grace Thek and Sodaro heading into T1.
Out on the bike, Sodaro slowly made her way to the front over the opening stages, before being joined by Australian Sarah Crowley, who in 2022 won all three of Australia’s major IRONMANS.
In the final 20km, Sodaro managed to break away from Crowley, coming into T2 with a healthy lead of close to 90 seconds, as the Australian was reeled in by Thek and De Vet.
[Photo Credit – Korupt Vision]
Out on the run, Sodaro opened up a substantial lead thanks to a lightning quick 1:20:24 split, taking the tape by almost five minutes ahead of Thek in second and De Vet in third place.
IRONMAN 70.3 Tasmania, Australia – Sunday 4th February 2024
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km
PRO MEN
1. Nick Thompson (AUS) – 3:54:10
2. Mitch Kibby (AUS) – 3:58:07
3. Cameron Wurf (AUS) – 4:00:01
4. Harison Wiles (AUS) – 4:06:21
5. Jye Spriggs (AUS) – 4:10:56
PRO WOMEN
1. Chelsea Sodaro (USA) – 4:18:59
2. Grace Thek (AUS) – 4:23:30
3. Hanne De Vet (BEL) – 4:26:40
4. Penny Slater (AUS) – 4:26:58
5. Sophie Perry (AUS) – 4:28:30
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