Phillips, Watkinson pull off Kiwi shutout
A NEW generation of athletes stamped their class on Ironman 70.3 Taupo yesterday, with Kiwis Mike Phillips and Amelia Watkinson coming out on top in amongst world class domestic and international opposition.
In a race that was minus the usual 1.8km swim due to the potentially toxic algae found in Lake Taupo, athletes took on a 3km run, 90km bike ride and 21km run in near perfect conditions.
Phillips (Christchurch) is still a relative newcomer to the sport, earlier this year posting the fastest time ever by a debutant over the Ironman distance with a 7:52:50 in Barcelona.
Yesterday, he controlled the race from start to finish, winning by over two minutes from Braden Currie, with Callum Millward in third making it an all New Zealand men’s podium.
‘‘I was second here last year so it is great to get the win,’’ said Phillips. ‘‘Duathlon is not my strength, I am more a swim-biker, so I took the opportunity to get a lead on the return leg bike and that ended up being just enough to get the win ahead of Braden and Callum. Braden is a phenomenal runner, it was important to keep an eye on him as he could always have a great run, so it is awesome to hold on.’’
Phillips must now loom as a genuine threat at Ironman New Zealand in March.
‘‘After today and my race in Barcelona, Ironman NZ is the big goal and it would be great to come back here and race all the top Kiwi guys and legends of the sport and hopefully make it to Kona. I have only done one full distance and 10 or so 70.3 races, so I am beginning to get a handle on it.’’
The Cantabrian didn’t think the late change to the course had a major impact on the Pro race.
‘‘Not everyone that was a contender could swim well so I am not sure it would have changed things much. Everyone on the bike close together is not unusual, that is usually the time to break the race up anyway.’’
Currie’s day was tougher than intended. The 2016 champion rode the 90km in one gear due to a mechanical, one that remained something of a mystery in the moments after crossing the line.
‘‘I knew it would be a tough day, but to jump on the bike and realise I had no gears made it a lot more challenging, but hands down Mike had a good race, I put it down on the run but couldn’t catch him. It is a weird one, I think my battery might have disconnected because it is definitely TIM BARDSLEY SMITH charged, downhill I was doing 130 cadence and uphill 50. That gets taxing on the legs after a while.’’
Currie agreed with Phillips that the absence of the swim did not change the race dynamic too much.
‘‘This race would have been similar with or without the swim, with the athletes here. It is still a great race on a great course and we all had plenty of fun out there.’’
Currie now looks forward to two weeks off training before he gears up again for the New Zealand summer and a return to the same venue to defend his Ironman NZ title in March.
Based in Thailand, Auckland’s Watkinson stamped her mark at a similar time to Phillips, breaking the field apart on the bike back from Reporoa into Taupo and the transition to the run.
‘‘That wasn’t an easy one out there, I wore a few layers to make sure I didn’t get too cold and I managed to hold on to the lead after making a break on the bike, but that run was tough. I was certainly pushed. It is tricky, not as hot as racing in Asia so I amprobably not as thirsty and wasn’t taking on enough electrolytes – and you need them. I was hurting on the second part of the run and was checking splits to make sure Jocelyn [McCauley] wasn’t catching.’’
Atkinson, 26, is a genuine threat now in any 70.3 event, and is starting to show and feel the confidence that regular podiums can deliver.
‘‘I have had a couple of really tough races, two weeks ago I was third at Asia Pacific champs, I am building confidence with each tough race. You take each race as it comes, there are always funny little challenges with each one and it is another win, I am really happy.’’
McCauley finished with a trademark beaming smile. The American is hugely popular wherever she races and loves Taupo.
‘‘The conditions were awesome, the sun came out for the run which I love, I love the beauty here and the sun always helps! I had Amelia in my sights the whole time, I could see the lead mountainbiker the whole way, but I am coming off my off-season and building up into the new season, so I am happy with the result.’’
‘ I was second here last year so it is great to get the win.’ MIKE PHILLIPS