Canadians dominate 70.3 events
We’re hardly into our traditional race season and it’s already been a killer year for Canadians on the international front. By the time this magazine arrives on your doorstep there will likely be many more top performances, but here are a few of the 2017 highlights so far:
Lionel Sanders opens 2017 with early wins
The Windsor, Ont. native hasn’t slowed down much since he set a new world-best time in Arizona last year. In January he took Ironman 70.3 Panama in a screaming-fast 3:38:53 finish time. He followed that performance up with another impressive win in taking Ironman 70.3 Buenos Aires. Sanders has said his big focus is on the 70.3 worlds in Chattanooga in September – he certainly seems on track for a big day there.
Heather Wurtele continues her winning ways
Over the last few years Heather Wurtele has become one of the most successful Ironman 70.3 racers ever and she continued her winning ways at Ironman 70.3 Campeche in Mexico, taking her 19th 70.3 title. Husband Trevor had a great day in Campeche, too, finishing third in the men’s race, one spot behind Cody Beals.
Taylor Reid takes biggest win of his career in San Juan
At Ironman 70.3 Puerto Rico Taylor Reid ran away from the rest of the field that included former Ironman 70.3 world champion Andy Potts to take the win. He was joined on the podium by Quebec’s Stephanie Roy, who ran her way past two-time Puerto Rico champ Helle Frederiksen to finish second.
Sanders takes Oceanside showdown
Triathlon fans were excited about the much-ballyhooed battle between Jan Frodeno, two-time defending Ironman world champion and Lionel Sanders at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside last month, but the drama quickly fizzled when the German flatted 25 km into the ride and eventually dropped out. Sanders enjoyed one of his best-ever swims and was within 38 seconds of swimleader Frodeno by 20 km of the ride and took the lead as he passed Frodeno as he tried to fix the flat. A dominant ride followed by a solid run allowed the Windsor native to easily defend his title. Heather Wurtele couldn’t catch defending world 70.3 champ Holly Lawrence to defend her title, but still finished a solid third.—tmc