Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
A HAPPY and relieved Caroline Steffen, of the Bahrain Endurance 13 team, crossed the finish line in first place at the Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Cebu City, bringing her number of consecutive wins at the race to a record four. She topped a strong field that included Ironman champions and Kona qualifiers.
Steffen’s early lead was put to the test when a collision at 40kmph with a spectator crossing the bike course left her with abrasions and bruised ribs. Cameron Brown stopped his race to help Caroline, a wonderful testament to this New Zealand legend and reflection of the sport.
Undeterred, she went on to win with five minutes over the next contender, and eight minutes faster than she went last year. She said, “As the defending champion, I felt I like I wanted to finish the race and if I still had the lead, I think I should win the race. So I gave it a go and never gave up.”
Fellow defending champion and Bahrain Endurance 13 teammate Brent McMahon placed third in the men’s race after Australians Tim Reed and Tim van Berkel duked it out in a sprint finish for first and second, respectively.
Steffen and McMahon will now focus on their build-up for the Ironman World Championship.
Bahrain Endurance 13 team manager and honorary member of the Bahrain Endurance Racing Team, Chris McCormack, snuck in a race at the Wales Sprint Triathlon while on a family holiday. As his wife and three children looked on, he claimed third place on a cool, overcast day.
