Sam Long, the USA's dominant force in long-distance triathlons, lived up to expectations at the Ironman 70.3 Pucon in Chile. Although trailing after the swim, Long showcased his exceptional biking skills to seize the lead, ultimately claiming victory with a commanding margin.
Long faced a 3:33 minute deficit after the swim, starting the bike leg in ninth position. However, his relentless pursuit paid off, and by the 60km mark, he overtook his competitors, securing a substantial lead. Transitioning to the run, Long maintained his advantage, finishing with a remarkable time of 3:46:31. Luciano Taccone secured second place in 3:53:11, followed closely by Martin Ulloa in 3:53:40.
Having chosen to kickstart his 2024 season in Chile, Sam Long's decision proved successful, adding another triumph to his impressive 2023 record.
Marta Sanchez Dominates Ironman 70.3 Pucon for Female Pros:
Marta Sanchez of Spain asserted her dominance at the Ironman 70.3 Pucon, leading from start to finish and securing a convincing victory.
Exiting the water after a swift 27:38 minutes, Sanchez quickly established herself as the frontrunner during the swim. As the race progressed, her lead expanded, reaching over nine minutes by T2. Although her run pace was not the fastest, Sanchez comfortably maintained her lead, crossing the finish line in 4:19:18.
Elizabeth Bravo claimed second place with a time of 4:26:07, while Barbara Riveros rounded out the podium in third with a time of 4:27:48.
Despite the expectations surrounding local favorite Barbara Riveros, it was Marta Sanchez who stole the show, securing the biggest win of her career at the Ironman 70.3 Pucon in Chile.
MALE PRO RESULTS:
1 Sam Long USA 3:46:31
2 Luciano Taccone ARG +6:40
3 Martin Ulloa CHL +7:09
4 Matt Sharpe CAN +8:14
5 Vince Trewhela CHL +14:17
FEMALE PRO RESULTS:
1 Marta Sanchez ESP 4:19:18
2 Elizabeth Bravo ECU +6:49
3 Barbara Riveros CHL +8:29
4 Pamella Oliveira BRA +13:17
5 Sofia Balmaceda CHL +14:00