SEALED WITH A KISS
ALL THE ACTION AND DRAMA FROM GEELONG IRONMAN 70.3
MORE than 10,000 people cheered as Spanish superstar Javier Gomez and Australiabased Czech Radka Kahlefeldt took out Geelong’s Ironman title yesterday.
For the second year running, perfect race conditions of flat water and no wind greeted the 1300 pro and age group athletes who gathered at Eastern Beach for the early season test.
Competitors ran, swam and cycled along the waterfront and Eastern Beach precinct in the feature Ironman Geelong 70.3 event.
Figures from organiser Ironman showed 7 per cent of competitors travelled from overseas, with a large contingent from Asia and others from Europe and South America. Interstate competitors accounted for 28 per cent of the field.
In his Geelong debut, prerace favourite Gomez lived up to the expectations of his legion of fans.
“I really enjoyed it out there. I had a pretty good swim and was second out of the water and quite comfortable,” he said.
“In the first race of the year you never know what to expect, you want to save your legs for the run and see how they respond, and they responded pretty well.”
Kahlefeldt said she was delighted with her performance.
“It was one of the best days we could wish for, the conditions were perfect. We had a fast swim and there were four or five of us out of the water together.
“It is amazing to start the year with a win, I am super happy.”
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