Toby Coote
Race Updates
Another weekend of racing both domestically and Internationally, with Cairns Ironman and 70.3, Asian Championships and Camsur Sprint.
Cairns didn't turn on the perfect weather that we expect at this time of year but at least it wasn't the constant drizzle that we had last year. The day started out with rain but cleared by the start of the 70.3 and Ironman race. It was tough day out on the cycle course with a strong headwind gusting up to 30km/hr on the 2 return journeys from Port Douglas back. There were a lot of souls broken on the run course due to the tough bike conditions.
In the Ironman we had Kate Gazzard who had already qualified for Kona and was fine tuning her preparations for the big one with a hit out here, while Shane Costa lined up in his first ever Ironman. Kate (The Doc of ACT Brumbies) was hoping they would win on Saturday as a lost meant she had to fly out to South Africa on Monday. Unfortunately they lost and Kate needed to be on a plane out of Cairns Airport at 7pm. Well she got there arriving at the airport in her race gear and by reports also to South Africa. Kate had a solid day out finishing in a time of 10.50.59 taking out 2nd 35-39 years and 16th female outright.
Shane Costa aim was to finish his first IM. Not only did he finished but posted a respectable time of 12.14.24 and finished 65th 40-44 years. Shane's day started out with being stung in the swim, but continued on with a solid bike ride and ran well especially as he isn't a noted runner. As the saying says "he runs well for a swimmer" but with the support of his family and friends got to the line to record his first IM finish.
Was great to see former SCTA athlete Michelle Bremer take out 3rd Professional.
In the 70.3 we saw Rachel Cullen and Ben Hogan line up. Rach had another great day out finishing 14th 30-34 years in 5.18.16 finishing 57th female overall. Ben Hogan struggled his way thru missing the cut off time but still crossed the line in 9.03.54 to finish his first 70.3. Plenty of improvement there and experienced gained.
The Filipino connection lined up in the ITU Asian Champs and Challenge Camsur Sprint. Mark Hosana took out the race win in Camsur while we saw Jonard Saim 11th Elite and Claire Adorna 5th U/23 at the Asian Champs.
Cairns didn't turn on the perfect weather that we expect at this time of year but at least it wasn't the constant drizzle that we had last year. The day started out with rain but cleared by the start of the 70.3 and Ironman race. It was tough day out on the cycle course with a strong headwind gusting up to 30km/hr on the 2 return journeys from Port Douglas back. There were a lot of souls broken on the run course due to the tough bike conditions.
In the Ironman we had Kate Gazzard who had already qualified for Kona and was fine tuning her preparations for the big one with a hit out here, while Shane Costa lined up in his first ever Ironman. Kate (The Doc of ACT Brumbies) was hoping they would win on Saturday as a lost meant she had to fly out to South Africa on Monday. Unfortunately they lost and Kate needed to be on a plane out of Cairns Airport at 7pm. Well she got there arriving at the airport in her race gear and by reports also to South Africa. Kate had a solid day out finishing in a time of 10.50.59 taking out 2nd 35-39 years and 16th female outright.
Shane Costa aim was to finish his first IM. Not only did he finished but posted a respectable time of 12.14.24 and finished 65th 40-44 years. Shane's day started out with being stung in the swim, but continued on with a solid bike ride and ran well especially as he isn't a noted runner. As the saying says "he runs well for a swimmer" but with the support of his family and friends got to the line to record his first IM finish.
Was great to see former SCTA athlete Michelle Bremer take out 3rd Professional.
In the 70.3 we saw Rachel Cullen and Ben Hogan line up. Rach had another great day out finishing 14th 30-34 years in 5.18.16 finishing 57th female overall. Ben Hogan struggled his way thru missing the cut off time but still crossed the line in 9.03.54 to finish his first 70.3. Plenty of improvement there and experienced gained.
The Filipino connection lined up in the ITU Asian Champs and Challenge Camsur Sprint. Mark Hosana took out the race win in Camsur while we saw Jonard Saim 11th Elite and Claire Adorna 5th U/23 at the Asian Champs.
