NEWS
Vernay and Paul Ironman WA champions
Patrick Vernay has topped off his 2007 with a win at the Ironman Western Australia Triathlon Busselton this afternoon.
The New Caledonian triathlete was just inside the record course time when he crossed the finish in 8:06:11.
The 2007 Ironman Australia winner said he enjoyed the flat and fast course.
``It was a very nice course. I would prefer more sun because I like it when it is very hot, but it was a good course,’’ the teacher said.
``I didn’t expect to win. I was pretty happy after Hawaii and when I finished there I was invited to race here. I love racing in Australia.
``I tried not to let Mitch (Anderson) and Raynard (Tissink) too far away on the bike because I was sure I could do something on the run,’’ he said.
Vernay shaved 15 minutes off his personal best of 8:21:00.
He kept the pace at the top of the pack throughout the day, with a leaderboard tussle on the final leg with 2005 champion Mitch Anderson and South African Raynard Tissink.
Vernay pulled away from his competition in the later half of the run along Busselton foreshore in perfect conditions.
Tissink finished second, just three minutes ahead of Victorian Mitch Anderson.
``I never really enjoy flat courses. . . I never gave up and I thought Patrick Vernay would struggle on the run with Hawaii (only seven weeks ago) but he refused,’’ Tessink said.
``I have to be happy though. I did a personal best,’’ he said.
2005 winner Mitch Anderson said the field lifted the bar again this year.
``This was my best race ever. I shaved five minutes off my personal best,’’ Anderson said.
``This was a great confidence boost for me to sign up as a full time athlete next year. I hope I become as much of an institution here as this race,’’ Anderson said of Busselton.
Hundreds of fans lined the finish line runway to welcome home the top three, followed by Australian Craig McKenzie and the UK’s Stephen Bayliss.
Defending champion Jason Shortis said he was disappointed he couldn’t match last year’s effort, but he struggled to make lost time from the bike leg – where he served a stint in the penalty box for drafting.
Women’s winner Charlotte Paul was rewarded for her domination of the 42.2km run and finally crossing the line in 9:00:55 – a course record for a female .
``I was so scared,’’ Paul said.
``I could see Gina ( Ferguson) coming and that was scary. At one point she was gaining on me.’’
Paul said she had made the switch to a time trial bike which had made a big difference to her race.
``Winning the Port Macquarie Half Ironman helped with my confidence,’’ she said.
``I was just thinking `oh God’ there is no tomorrow. No pain.’’
The elite ladies mixed it up on the track with New Zealand’s Gina Ferguson taking the second spot after a consistent race, featuring in the top five throughout.
Ferguson said she didn’t have a great swim and enjoys more hilly terrain than the Busselton course, but still had a good result.
``I’m not strong on the flat course which is why I came here – to work on that so I can be an allrounder,’’ Ferguson said.
UK ’s Bella Comerford powered her way into the top three in the run leg, followed by Ali Fitch from the Northern territory, who led the entire bike leg.
For more information about Ironman Western Australia Triathlon , visit www.ironmanwa.com
Media contact:
Hayley Wootton
0407862419
shane@sport3.com.au
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