OK CR's, 2007 Hawaii Ironman is only 10 days away (13/10). Time to get excited as it is my favourite event of the year.

Can Chris McCrmack go 1 better this year and be the first Aussie man to win since Greg Welsh? After Macca came stormin home on the run and was only beaten by 71 secs last year, he and Stadler had a lot to say. There is definitely no love lost between the two. This year is being built up as the big rematch.

Can Michellie Jones defend her title?

Hawaii is 20 hours behind Australia. Race start is 6:45am (Hawaii time) so 2:45am for East Coast Australia for the pro/elite competitors. 7am start or 3am (Aust time) for the age groupers.

All the live action should be able to be viewed here

Are any CR's competing?

Last Years results:

MEN

1) Stadler, Normann, 8:11:56, GER, 54:05, 4:18:23, 2:55:03
2) McCormack, Chris, 8:13:07, AUS, 53:51, 4:29:24, 2:46:02
3) Al-Sultan, Faris, 8:19:04, GER, 53:36, 4:29:37
4) Beke, Rutger, 8:21:04, BEL, 54:35, 4:33:33, 2:48:16

7) Bell, Luke, 8:24:26, AUS, 53:57, 4:29:34, 2:56:55
17) Jacobs, Pete, 8:38:12, AUS, 53:35, 4:40:45, 2:59:41
26) McKenzie, Craig, 8:45:27, AUS, 54:38, 4:47:29, 2:58:52
37) Anderson, Mitchell, 8:55:22, AUS, 1:01:34, 4:31:23, 3:18:15

WOMAN

1) Jones, Michellie, 9:18:31, AUS, 54:29, 5:06:09, 3:13:08
2) Ficker, Desiree, 9:24:02, USA, 1:01:46, 5:05:06, 3:11:50
3) Bentley, Lisa, 9:25:18, CAN, 1:01:31, 5:10:32, 3:08:54

6) Major, Kate, 9:31:53, AUS, 1:01:34, 5:08:24, 3:17:46,
Granger, Belinda, 9:35:48, AUS, 59:44, 5:01:45, 3:25:50
9) Ashton, Melissa, 9:38:22, AUS, 59:46, 5:10:42, 3:22:37

When I went to the information night for a beginners triathlon course, they played a bit of footage for the preparation of the Hawaii Ironman.
Before that night I had no idea what was involved in an Ironman and it truly blew me away.

I can't imagine what must be going through these people's minds as they try to psych themselves up for the day ahead of them.

*Bump*

5 of my training buddies are racing this year plus double that again over supporting. Absolutely the pinacle of triathlon, no doubt.

Will definitely be logged onto ironmanlive.com around 1045 AEST to see if Macca, Michellie or any of the other Aussie's can take out the top spot.

Go the Aussies!

Unfortunately I can't be near a computer on Sunday, but I will be praying for Macca to take it out. I remember seeing him close up at Forster a few years and he was so amazing, I reckon he can do it.

I think the women's race will be really exciting too. It will be great to see how Rebekah Keat goes and Samantha McGlone and Michellie.

Looking forward to watching Macca and Michellie online on Sunday. Hope they race well. Macca needs to stick with Stormin Norman on the bike to take the win.

MMM very tempting. I'll be cooling my heels in seoul on sunday. I guess I'll be watching and remembering the Aussie Assault on the Ironman 1986. Don't do a Wallabies you aussies.

will definitely be catching this one... a guy i work with is competing this year.. gooooo Ryan !!!

Yes the time in the transition area just immediately prior to the start of an ironman is an experience! I'm thinking about the finish line and trying not to think about the swim! (and I haven't even done Hawaii!)

Go Macca !

Macca and Michellie for the double.

I'm going out on a limb and thinking it could be one of the runner's like Beke or even Crowie (despite it being his first). Although the re-introduction of the 10m draft zone should suit Stadler and Faris.

How good would it be to have 2 debutant aussies take it out in Alexander and Keat?

I reckon it is going to be one hell of a race, nothing like a flat out sprint for 8 hours, Amazing athletes.

My pick; Normann Stadler to out ride and hang on like hell in the run; Michellie Jones to go Back to Back.

Would love to See Chris McCormack to win, but like mentioned earlier the 10m draft rule and with Normann Stadler pointing out to officals that McCormack was close to drafting last year I reckon the officals will be right on top of him, if he even gets close to another bike.

Happy watching.

Like most of the elites in our sport, Macca is one of the nicest, most genuine guys you can meet. There are no airs and graces about him or any of the topline guys and girls, who are hapopy to mix with, give advice and encouragement to, and stay to cheer on, all of us lesser age-groupers. Canadian Lisa Bentley is about the nicest person God put breath in.

Go guys!

when is it going to be on TV? I've checked the guide but can't see it

Hi Folks,

The men's race is too close to call! - hopefully Macca can get there. In the womens, Bek Keat looks really hungry and I think if nothing goes wrong she will be a big threat!

It's not. The only place to follow it is here

Aussie pro's in Action:

Group nbr name age
MPRO 17 Alexander Craig M 34 AUS
MPRO 7 Bell Luke M 28 AUS
MPRO 2 McCormack Chris M 34 USA (Macca with a USA listing?)
MPRO 97 McKenzie Luke M 26 AUS
MPRO 140 Watt Cameron M 28 AUS

WPRO 59 Ashton Melissa F 34 AUS
WPRO 113 Bevilaqua Kate F 30 AUS
WPRO 121 Fitch Alison F 34 AUS
WPRO 58 Granger Belinda F 36 AUS
WPRO 52 Jones Michellie F 38 USA (Trying to claim both winners?)
WPRO 101 Keat Rebekah F 29 AUS
WPRO 156 Paul Charlotte F 34 AUS
WPRO 104 Preston Rebecca F 28 AUS


And Sydney Strider Founder Charles Coville is bib 314 in the 55-59 age group.

Bike: 44 miles
1. Chris Lieto
2. Tom Evans 3:30
3. Chris McCormack
4. Francisco Pontano
5. Luc Van Lierde
6. Luke Bell
7. Eneko Llanos
8. Bert Jammaer
9. Mathias Hecht
10. Craig Alexander

Bike: 35 miles
1. Leanda Cave
2. Dede Griesbauer 54 seconds
3. Michellie Jones 2:40
4. Katja Schumacher 2:42
5. Belinda Granger 2:44
6. Rebekah Keat 2:46
7. Joanna Lawn 2:48
8. Rebekah Keat 2:46
9. Joanna Lawn 2:48
10. Melissa Ashton 2:50


Normann has asked for medical support
RACETIME: 02:18

Stadler's health issues continue to be a problem, it would seem.

He's been talking to the medical support crew, despite continuing to ride with the lead chase group.



Badmann on the side of the road
RACETIME: 02:17

We've had some conflicting reports on Natascha Badmann -- she appears to have run into problems at the 20km point of the bike. Initially there was medical support there, but now we've heard that she's waiting for technical support.

Luke Bell out - knee problem

wt

Poor Michellie

C'arn Macca and Bek

interesting that a lot of the pros are wearing the compression stockinga..

How good do Macca & Crowie look ? Go boys

Differentials at 16k (10 miles) on the run:

1. Chris Lieto
2. Torbjorn Sindballe 1:54
3. Chris McCormack 3 minutes
4. Craig Alexander 3:49
5. Timothy DeBoom 4:15
6. Marino Vanhoenacker 4:45

Sindballe led off the bike with about 9 minutes over McCormack, so he's storming. I think McCormack was about 5 minutes behind Lieto, so although Lieto's passed Sindballe he's still losing time to McCormack. However, don't write off Alexander and DeBoom, who have only faded slightly from Macca over the first 16k, and both of whom look good.

For my money, those three (Macca, Alexander, DeBoom) will share the podium, although I wouldn't put money on the order at this stage.

Unc

Greg W has been coming out with some pearlers. "[insert athlete] is running well, both feet are coming off the ground".

And my all time favourite "[insert athlete] is leading from the front".

Well Macca's just taken the lead. Leito stayed with him for a while, but I don't think he did himself any favours by doing that. Alexander is still looking good.

carn macca

At 16 miles, McCormack had 1.12 on Alexander - at 20 miles he was 2.20 up. A lot can happen in the last 6 miles (10k), but given his sub 2.50 performances over the past two years here, you'd have to say it was just a matter of going through the motions.

doooooh, am getting goose bumps!!!
hes such a fab dude.
Go macca

Macca wins

After coming across the line, he collapsed to the ground. He is one very happy and proud champion!

His wife Emma was at the line to greet him, along with his father.

Macca got it in 8.15.
Alexander 2nd.
A good day for Australian sport.

I've got goosebumps AND tears! Macca's speech showed what a humble & respectful man he is. A sensational result from both our boys. Woohoo !!!!!!!

Right, I'm off for a swim

If we can beat the kiwi's today then it will make the trifecta!

Congratulations Macca!

His speech was one of a true champion.

Crowie has done Australia proud to come second in his first attempt at Kona.

yep - macca, crowie and then thunderbear somehow managed to hold off deBoom (mind you, that's one big unit to try and run around)

Kate Major could be looking at 2nd if she can run down McGlone (who unfortuantely is a good short-course runner). Keat and Granger in the top ten

Good One Chrissie, how relaxed does she look! good on her, shes lovin it!!

C'arn Bek and Kate

Congratulations to Chrissy Wellington and well done to Kate Major to grab a podium spot.

It's certainly a great day in Aussie sport!

Just to add another superstar to the list (although not Hawaii) our tri club legend, Lisa Tulic, won Maitland Traithlon today.

Now we just need to get Casey Stoner across the line........

done!

...must have been the good vibes CRs were sending

Congrats to Macca awesome win. Finally all the form at Forster and Port Mac has paid off at the big show.


John won the Poor mans comrades 96k in 2005 and 2006.
John Mergler
Swim Bike Run Total place
1:08:33 5:10:37 3:29:39 9:56:31 283

Sydney Striders Founder
Charles Coville
Swim Bike Run Total place
1:31:20 6:32:51 4:18:40 12:37:34 1313

Just forced myself to sit through Channel 7 news, stupidly thinking there might be coverage...

No time for triathlon results, but 3 minutes to spare on a pathetic cross-promotion of Kath and Kim...

we are a nation of idiots...

Hi Sparkie,

No coverage on 9 or 10 either! Its not everyday Australia gets 1 - 2 in the World Championships, but I guess that doesn't sell in main stream media!

I was thinking that too. How disappointing.

2:42:02 marathon split is not bad considering he slowed and soaked up the finish.

The boy can run!

I was just going to jump on and mention that there was no mention on half an hour of Fox Sports News Channel (so much for the leader in sports!) and nothing on Channel 9, but saw it had been mentioned above. Is there anywhere on the net to view highlights or see Maccas speech?

Surprisingly enough, the one network you'd expect to show it (SBS) had nothing either. I do recall Michellie Jones' victory getting some sort of press on the day last year, so a 1-2 in an international (but not mainstream enough in a non-Olympic or Commonwealth Games year) world championship doesn't warrant reporting? Sad. It may make tomorrow's news, but seeing as it finished at around 11am today, that's improbable.

Sydney morning herald online have a brief article on the race here:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/australia...2300584621.html

go aussies...great day all round...shame about the lack of press though! for the Hawaii folk

FoxSports News had a results ticker at the bottom of the page saying Macca and Alexander were first and second.

A story on ESPN. Macca Wins.