Christchurch triathlete Mike Phillips has claimed his second Ironman New Zealand crown after seeing off defending champion Braden Currie in Taupo.
Dutch athlete Els Visser won the women's race in similar fashion to Phillips, heading off defending champion Hannah Berry of New Zealand but just under three minutes, in a time of 9hr 05min 44sec. Phillips, whose other title came in 2019, saw off two-time winner Currie over the closing stages, opening the gap to three minutes in a winning time of seven hours, 56 minutes and 05 seconds. Christchurch triathlete Mike Phillips has claimed his second Ironman New Zealand crown after seeing off defending champion Braden Currie in a tight race in Taupo.
The Christchurch athlete enjoyed a battle with Braden Currie in the men's event, while the Dutch athlete led from a long way out in the women's.
“I won in 2019 so to come back and do it again.. * “We’ve always had a bit of banter throughout the years.
Mike Phillips won an epic battle with fellow Kiwi Braden Currie in Taupo while Els Visser took the women's title.
- 5. - 4. - 3. - 2. - 1. And she looked in control throughout much of the run, gradually increasing her advantage.
Meanwhile, flying Dutchwoman Els Visser spoiled the party, beating former champion Hannah Berry, to prevent a Kiwi double. Neck and neck for most of the race ...
TAUPO New Zealand March 4 Xinhua -- More than 1800 athletes from 54 countries and regions competed in two ironman triathlon races in the hot sun both held.
In the half-distance edition, athletes will swim 1.9km, bike 90km, and run 21.1km. The race took place in Auckland until 1998, then moved to its current venue of Taupo. TAUPO, New Zealand, March 4 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,800 athletes from 54 countries and regions competed in two ironman triathlon races in the hot sun, both held on Saturday inside and around New Zealand's Lake Taupo, the largest freshwater lake in Australasia.
Mike Phillips and Els Visser take men's and women's titles: veteran entrant in last race.
- Laura Wood – 10:22:30 - Laura Armstrong – 10:11:00 - Els Visser – 9:05:44 - Mike Phillips – 7:56:05 “This means a lot to me, my last win was in 2018 so it’s been five years. She finished second place at the 2022 GWM Ironman Western Australia in December.
Mike Phillips and Els Visser take men's and women's titles: veteran entrant in last race.
- Laura Wood – 10:22:30 - Laura Armstrong – 10:11:00 - Els Visser – 9:05:44 - Mike Phillips – 7:56:05 “This means a lot to me, my last win was in 2018 so it’s been five years. She finished second place at the 2022 GWM Ironman Western Australia in December.