The following report featured in US magazine Inside Triathlon;
Langkawi Ironman race report
"That was the hardest race I have ever done."
Reflected a triumphant Luc Van Lierde after winning the Langkawi Ironman at
his first attempt. His appearance at the apres race press conference had been
somewhat delayed due to a re-hydration drip session " It was so hot and
humid. Then in the last half of the run I suddenly started to throw up. Seven
times in one hour I had to stop and throw up, I think it was a case of mixing
too many carbonated drinks. The problem was that it meant I had to risk not
eating or drinking for the last two hours in order to finish." Even so
the Belgian Ironman world record holder still hung on to a comfortable 20
minute margin over the second places racer, fellow Belgian Marino Vanhoenacker.
The dawn curtain lifted at 7.17 am on the Langkawi Jetty and the 400 hopefuls
hit the ocean for the third annual Ironman season opener. Amongst the leading
contenders were 17 pro men and 17 pro women. Pre race men’s favourite
was Kiwi Bryan Rhodes, a two-time winner and course record holder (8.10.35).
Also expected to push Rhodes hard were Van Lierde and Glen Gore of South Africa.
Leading the female challenge was last years winner Danielle Florens of Mauritius
who was anticipating a stiff challenge from the two Belinda’s –
Granger and Halloran (a last minute none starter due to illness), both of
Australia. Though as we all know the Ironman is an unpredictable beast of
an event, and surprises are the only true guarantee in this race – and
this was to be no exception.
Calm Equatorial waters made for good swim conditions on the re-vamped course.
Swim record holder Rhodes was expected to hit home hard here, though as the
lead five man group exited the water it was Van Lierde who was at the head
of the race, followed closely by Rhodes. " I made the swim hard, because
I thought Bryan would leave me behind on the bike." Said the Belgian.
But it was not to pan out that way. A two circuit wind swept and hilly bike
course was to prove together than anticipated, and while he looked over his
shoulder again and again the Belgian was not to be challenged, and ended up
with a ten minute lead after the bike leg – his weakest discipline. Rhodes
was having a bad day, and after some contemplation he decided that the respite
of an air conned hotel room would be a wiser option, leaving Van Lierde well
in command as he entered the run section.
Meanwhile not far behind the lead men Belinda Granger had a storming swim,
leaving the water in a time of 53.29, just behind Japans Akiko Sekine with
former Canadian Ironman champ Gillian Bakker a further five minutes in arrears,
while Florens was well out of contention. On the bike section Granger stayed
comfortably in control, with Bekker and Susan Peter following her home and
into the run.
A multi loop out and home layout made for tough run circuit, which was baking
in the high 30 degrees C of the afternoon sun. Van Lierde was looking good
as he entered the run " I’m only 85% fit at the moment, and this
race was a real test of form for me. I was feeling good. It took me a while
to get in to the run, and I was running on a 2.42 schedule, then the stomach
cramps hit – I lost 15 minutes through it." Even so it was not enough
to cost him victory, all be it not at his record breaking best pace "
It’s a tough race, but I will be back next year. I really think it’s
possible to break the world record here on a good day." Commented the
Belgian after his first Ironman race in some time "
I want to do Kona, so this was my only chance to get in an Ironman before
then, the rest of the season will be based around World Cup races, to get
selection for the Olympics."
As Van Lierde recovered the race for second place was hotting up along with
the afternoon sun. Second ranked Belgian Marino Vanhoenacker was running well
and seemingly comfortable in second place, though behind him Japanese ace
Yoshinori Tamura was showing just what it is that has earned him victories
in the Korea and Japan Ironman events – a formidable closing run. Moving
from 7th to third in the run he ran to within two minutes of second place,
and took the final place on the men’s podium.
It was looking as though the women’s race was only just kicking into
action. Granger was looking set for victory as the run passed the half way
stage. But striding like crazy behind was Bakker, who caught and passed Granger
in the closing miles of the race to take the win " I am so surprised
– I knew about the Belindas, and was really not sure how I would cope
with the heat. Even when I caught Belinda I was not sure, I thought maybe
she was holding back and going for a big finish. " Glinted the Canadian,
looking remarkably fresh.
Once again the early season island race had been a great success. Some 400
racers turned out for this year’s addition – 130 more than the previous
year. It’s early season listing, good road and weather conditions combined
with it’s currently low subscription numbers and financial accessibility
make this a great option for those aiming for Kona qualification, and the
last word on that goes to Van Lierde " This is a great race. It’s
the closest you will get in condition terms to Hawaii. Anybody out there who
wants to prepare for Hawaii should come here!"
Elite
men
1. Luc Van Lierde – Belgium – 47.54
swim - 8.31.16
2. Marino Vanhoenacker – Belgium 53.22 swim – 8.51.29
3. Tamura Yoshinori – Japan – 53.41 swim – 8.53.39
4. Petr Vabrousek – CZE
5. Makoto Imaeda – Japan
6. Justin Granger – Australia
7. Win De Donker – Belgium
8. Gary Mandy – SAF
9. Phillippe Achleitner – Switzerland
10. Park Byung Hoon – Korea
Elite women
1. Gillian Bakker – Canada – 58.54 swim – 10.01.33
2. Belinda Granger – Australia – 53.29 swim – 10.09.22
3. Susan Peter – Australia – 1.10.46 swim – 10.21.24
4. Akiko Sekine - Japan
5. Chiharu Chiba – Japan
6. Verity Edwards – Australia
7. Danielle Florens – Mauritius
8. Simone Mayer – Germany
9. Beate Kleindienst – Germany
10. Sabine Greipel – Austria
Male 18-24
1. Joseph Zemaitis – USA (8th rank)
2. Lars Finanger – USA (16th rank)
3. Rintaro Iwasaki – Japan
Male 30-34
1. Elmar Schuberth – Austria (13th rank)
2. Takanori Sato – Japan
3. Takehiko – Japan
Male
35-39
1. Taro Shirato – Japan (11th rank)
2. Steve Crossley – GB
3. Muhamhad Husain - Malaysia
Male 40-44
1. Uwe Schmidt – Germany (12th rank)
2. Jean-Luc Boulanger – Australia
3. George Neomanitakis – Australia
Male 45-49
1. Toshiharu Fukuda – Japan
Male 50-54
1. Kevin Hill – Australia
Male 55-59
1. Yoshihito Munemasa – Japan
Male 60-64
1. Yoshitaka Kamei – Japan
Male 65+
1. Daisaku Momino - Japan
Female 18-24
1. Manami Susuki – Japan
Female 25-29
1. Lauretta Howarth – Australia
Female 30-34
1. Izumi Oka – Japan
Female 35-39
1. Kazuko Fuchida – Japan
Female
40-44
1. Solveig Gysland – Norway
Female 45-49
1. Kathleen Swanson – USA
Female 50-54
1. Yumi Oyangi – Japan
Male Handicapped
1. Randy Caddel – USA
