Jacobs, Steffen enjoy first wins in OZ

It's the biggest win of Pete Jacobs' career and oh how Jacobs would've liked to have it with countryman Craig Alexander in the field. But the 2-time Hawaiian Ironman champion was a late scratch due to a persistent cold, so Jacobs will have to wait another day to win an IM with Crowie trying to run him down.

This was Jacobs' first win at an Ironman race, and he did so at one of the biggest. Ironman Australia is typically only equaled by Ironman Germany as the Ironman races hardest to win outside of the one in Kona. He'd been second here in 2009, as well as at the Ironman on the other side of the Australian continent and at IM Wisconsin.

Jacobs, considered a swim specialist, will almost always win wire-to-wire when he wins. As usual, he stuck his nose into the lead from the gun. But Crowie's pull-out didn't mean Jacobs could coast—New Caledonian Patrick Vernay was seeking his fourth Aus IM title here at Port Macquarie.

But Jacobs built too big a lead, outriding a very strong cyclist in Vernay on a slow and windy day. It's not that Jacobs can't run—his 2:41:06 was fastest in Kona last year and one of the fastest runs ever at the Hawaiian Ironman. Still, Jacobs had to survive a charging Vernay today, and his 2:58:46 marathon was just enough and a little more.

"Winning Ironman Australia is a huge bonus for me and my sponsors to elevate my profile through title to what I have felt my ability is worthy of, and also equal to what I have achieved at Hawaii. But it is more the way I won on the bike which holds meaning to me. I had not run for 2 weeks leading into the race as I had a foot injury (which has blown up due to running a marathon on it, and I am getting an MRI this afternoon to find out what's happening), and also to protect my foot I road mostly on the wind trainer, and swam more than I would have as well," said Jacobs to slowtwitch. "I have never felt so good in the swim/bike, and the way I road has given me confidence that I am capable of being one of the best cyclists, best swimmers, and best runners, and this is what it will take to win Hawaii. I am so happy with my Boardman bike set up, and their support has helped me improve my bike leg. After I rest my foot, it is onward and upward towards the World Championships in Kona."

Forty-year-old Jason Shortis rolled back time with a 3rd place finish.

Caroline Steffen was likewise winless at this distance before this weekend. It appeared here chances were in jeopardy—twice—with flat tires, but whenever she had two tires full of air she methodically pulled away from challengers. In the end she won comfortably.

Urban Hotel Group Ironman Australia
Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia
May 1, 2011
2.4mi swim / 112mi bike / 126.2mi run

Men
1. Pete Jacobs (AUS): 8:29:28
2. Patrick Vernay (New Caledonia): 8:35:50
3. Jason Shortis (AUS): 8:46:07
4. Scott Neyedli (Scotland): 8:47:16
5. Courtey Ogden (AUS): 8:49:56

Women
1. Caroline Steffen (AUS): 9:29:54
2. Amelia Pearson (AUS): 9:38:23
3. Kirsten Molloy (AUS): 9:43:55
4. Nicole Ward (AUS): 9:49:23
5. Erin Spitler (USA): 10:08:33

Image of Pete Jacobs courtesy of Shawn Smith of Melbourne Photographer, Blinq Photography