Adam continues her winning habit

Third time was a charm for both winners at Ironman New Zealand in Taupo as Brit Joe Skipper and New Zealand’s Teresa Adam reigned supreme in posting maiden victories.

Both had finished second twice in Taupo but put their mark on this storied race yesterday, brushing aside race records and all challengers on a day when conditions could not have been better for the 2500 competitors.

Adam was imperious in winning her first title to go with her back-to-back Asia Pacific Ironman victories, in the process obliterating the course record of Jocelyn McCauley (2019) by nearly 13 minutes on the back of a stunning 4hr 36min 11sec bike leg that took over 15 minutes off the record of Lucy Gossage (Britain) from 2016.

It also completed a remarkable double for the Aucklander after she last month won the national road cycling time-trial title, as well as finishing third in the road race.

‘‘That was awesome. I didn’t know I was on for the record until the end of the race, but I am just stoked,’’ said the Kiwi afterwards. ‘‘I had a good ride, came through halfway in 2:15 and thought ‘whoops’. But I just focused on drinking and hydrating and kept eating and drinking.

‘‘You go through ebbs and flows, but I have some smart people around me . . . I am just really happy I could execute on the day.’’

Adam shared some nervousness about how she might bring it home for her maiden Taupo victory.

‘‘There was a little bit of doubt how I would go on the run coming off a ride like that,’’ she said. ‘‘But I am obviously getting stronger as an athlete and just made sure I stuck to the pace that we had set and kept tapping along.

‘‘I really wanted to win here, my home race, and show what I can do. I have won three times in

Australia now and you do have Kiwis over there supporting and [partner] Dan travels over, but I wanted to showcase that for my family, my coach and team Pewag and all my supporters here in New Zealand.’’

Five-time champion Meredith Kessler of the USA finished second after holding that spot for much of the race after defending champion Jocelyn McCauley withdrew after the bike leg due to illness and 70.3-star Radka Kahlefeldt (Czech Republic) succumbed to illness after the swim.

‘‘I have to give her [Adam] props, that was such a performance,’’ said Kessler. ‘‘She is a contender to win Kona. That was incredible. I had the bike of my life, but she was 12 minutes ahead. That was amazing.

‘‘This reinforces my love for this race and place. I can’t tell you how many people in this town know my favourite word is ‘gumption’, I lost track of how many adults and kids shouted out to me, ‘give it some gumption’ or ‘Kiwi Kessler’. I am so grateful,’’

Third was a delighted and surprised Judith Corachan Vaquera, of Spain, who could hardly hide her delight.

‘‘I am so happy, surprised and excited,’’ she said. ‘‘I can’t find the words to explain this, I am very happy. It is a very high-level result for me. During the race I can think ‘yes, I can do it’ and ‘yes, I got it’.’’

Adam showed her intent by leading out of the water, the former water polo star putting 1:40 on McCauley, Kessler and Rach McBride (USA), with Vaquera and Kelsey Withrow next on to the bike.

But once the 30-year-old Kiwi climbed aboard her bike, affectionately called ‘Lil B’, the rest were fighting for the minor placings as history was rewritten by one of the rising stars of the sport.

In the men’s race, Skipper had confidently predicted a race record and was thrilled he had proved up to the prophecy.

‘‘I said before the race I have come here twice and each time it has taken a course record to beat

me, and I knew this time wouldn’t be any different as I had such a terrible run last time,’’ he said afterwards. ‘‘I knew I could run 2:45 off the bike today and thought whoever won today would post a course record, I am pleased I lived up to that.’’

The Brit cut an emotional figure, fighting back tears as he took in the win at the finish line and had thoughts for his grandmother, who passed away back home while he has been here in New Zealand.

‘‘She was in my thoughts all day. Every time I went through a tough moment, I was thinking of her.’’

Second home was defending champion Mike Phillips.