Tim Don continues his winning ways in 2014, while Mirinda Carfrae starts her season with a victory at IRONMAN 70.3 Brazil.
Don does it on the run
A lead pack of six men exited the water within 10 seconds of each other to open up the race in Brasilia. The group contained Almir Sorbo (BRA), Tim O’Donnell (USA), Reinaldo Colucci (BRA), Luiz Francisco (BRA) and Tim Don (GBR). Race contenders, Igor Amorelli (BRA) and Santiago Ascenco found themselves 1:09 and 1:58 behind the lead pack and still in good shape to challenge for the lead.
It was Amorelli who took charge on the bike and he had a minute advantage over a chase pack of three that included O’Donnell, Don and Asenco as the race hit T2.
Once on the run, Don made quick work of getting to the front of the race, capturing the lead in the opening miles of the run. O’Donnell, in his first race of the season, was next to pass Amorelli. It was Don’s race-best run of 1:14:10 that netted the speedster his second IRONMAN 70.3 title with a time of 3:46:54. Holding on for second was O’Donnell (3:49:38), while Amorelli claimed the final podium spot with a 3:51:04 clocking.
"It was really hard but race course is great," said Don after breaking the tape at the finish line. "After leaving the water at first position the bike portion got difficult because of the heat. Thanks to good hydration I could set a pace better than other athletes. Course, by the way, was very technical and offered a competitive race. I loved coming to Brazil.”
Carfrae opens season strong
Amanda Stevens (USA) displayed her dominance in the water again, recording the fastest swim split on the day of 25:22. Running into transition with up to three minute deficits was Carol Furriela (BRA), Ewa Bugdol (POL), Vanessa Gianinni (BRA), Mirinda Carfrae (USA) and Valentina Carvallo (CHL).
Stevens maintained a clear lead throughout the 90 km and dismounted the bike with a 2:24 advantage over the fleet-footed Carfrae. Racking their bikes over four minutes after the leader was Carvallo, Gianinni and Bugdol.
Once on the run, Carefrae showed no signs of early-season rust as she quickly took the lead and eventually recorded the fastest run split of the day (1:23:37). As Stevens slowed on the run Furriela grabbed second, but could not match Carfrae’s pace up front. The defening IRONMAN world champion captured the win (4:15:01) by over five minutes over Furriela who stopped the clock at 4:30:04, while Stevens gamely hung on to finish on the podium with in 4:23:12.
"I had to sweat a lot to win this race," said Carfrae after the race. "It was amazing and I enjoyed every passage, specially the run course which presents many ups and downs. It was a great debut in Brazil, where I was very well received.”
Top 5 Pro Men
1 Tim Don GBR 3:46:55
2 Tim O'Donnell USA 3:49:39
3 Igor Amorelli BRA 3:51:05
4 Santiago Ascenco BRA 3:55:00
5 Guilherme Manocchio BRA 3:55:21
Top 5 Pro Women
1 Mirinda Carfrae USA 4:15:01
2 Carol Furriela BRA 4:20:04
3 Amanda Stevens USA 4:23:12
4 Valentina Carvallo CHL 4:25:08
5 Vanessa Gianinni BRA 4:25:32