Vernay and Lester rule OZ
With his win today in Port Macquarie, Patrick Vernay has now captured his fourth Ironman Australia title. Carrie Lester took charge of the women’s race during the bike and won her first Ironman crown quite convincingly, leading a podium sweep of Australian women.
With Vernay's 2 titles in Western Australia and his 4th one in Port Macquarie, the New Caledonian may soon be bestowed honorary Australian citizenship. After all, he has been the one denying the Aussie pros the honor on home field for a few years now, with the exception of Tim Berkel who won Ironman Western Australia in 2008.
In September of 2009 Lester had grabbed the ITU age group World Championship title in Surfer’s Paradise, Australia, and just about a month ago she won the Australian Long Course Championships in Huskisson, Australia. Now she is an Ironman champion and has proven that she is a force to be reckoned with at various distances.
"I enjoyed it all until the last 10km," said Lester to ironmanlive. "But it was amazing out there; everyone is supporting each other, and everyone’s doing it tough."
Urban Hotel Group Ironman Australia
Port Macquarie, Australia / March 28
Top 10 men
1. Patrick Vernay (NCL) 8:23:54
2. Scott Neyedly (GBR) 8:27:58
3. Trent Chapman (AUS) 8:32:52 * AG M30-34
4. Courtney Ogden (AUS) 8:35:54
5. Matt White (AUS) 8:36:39
6. Paul Ambrose (GBR) 8:38:24
7. Tim Berkel (AUS) 8:40:46
8. Adam Holborow (AUS) 8:48:36
9. Luke Harrison (AUS) 8:55:28 * AG M30-34
10. David Meade (AUS) 8:56:14
Top 10 women
1. Carrie Lester (AUS) 9:23:50
2. Rebekah Keat (AUS) 9:33:10
3. Amelie Pearson (AUS) 9:46:09
4. Diana Riesler (GER) 9:57:04
5. Kirsten Molloy (AUS) 9:59:10
6. Tara Nolan (IRE) 10:05:01 * AG W30-34
7. Leanne Southwell (AUS) 10:21:48 * AG W40-44
8. Victoria Wilkinson (AUS) 10:23:51 * AG W35-39
9. Anna Francis (AUS) 10:28:48 * AG W30-34
10. Kristy Hallett (AUS) 10:30:20 * AG W35-39
