A show of true grit
SHARKS, bushfires and extreme heat were not enough to stop three Geelong endurance stars from qualifying for next year’s Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
GPC athletes Stephane Vander Bruggen, Kate Bramley and Ben O’Neill earned their ticket to Kona after putting in stunning performances in extraordinary conditions at the recent Busselton Ironman in Western Australia.
The Busselton Ironman was reduced to a duathlon with the swimming leg cancelled after a 2m shark was spotted near swimmers competing in the half ironman.
But the sizzling conditions during 180km bike leg — which was shortened in one section due to a nearby bush fire — and 42.2km run still took their toll on the athletes.
O’Neill had the race of his life, winning the 25-29 age group and finishing as the second fastest amateur in the field.
Head coach Vander Bruggen finished second in the male 40-44 age group and squad coach Bramley also finished second in the 30 to 34 age group.
Vander Bruggen, who has qualified for the Holy Grail of Ironman three times, will compete in the event for the first time in October.
“I’m pretty stoked,” Vander Bruggen said.
“I had a deal with my wife. She said I could go (to Kona) if I qualified two of my squad on the same day. I’ve only ever qualified one squad member (on the same day).
“This time I’ve got two so I could take my ticket.”
Vander Bruggen, who took six athletes to the event, praised the fight they all showed in some of the toughest conditions imaginable.
“Ben was in lead with 10km to go. I was third overall until 10km to go and I had bad cramps. So with 10km to go we had first and third overall,” he said.
“Kate rode a PB. But like most people we didn’t expect it to be so hot. It got to 36 degrees. We couldn’t run like we wanted to because of the cramps. Kate was the same. She couldn’t run like she wanted to because of the cramps.”
With a spot at Kona now in the bag, Vander Bruggen said he could now map out a training plan to have the trio peaking at the right time of year.
“We average 15 to 20 hours a week (leading up to Kona),” he said.
“You can plan everything (by qualifying early). You know in advance when you have your rest period and when you have to do your build-up of endurance and specific Ironman training.
“It really suits us to qualify 10 months in advance so we can map everything out now.”