Cat 3-peats St. Croix, Kriat breaks through
Catriona Morrison has evidently figured out St. Croix. The Brit has now prevailed three times, this her quickest, only the second woman to break the 4:30 barrier. In so doing, she bested her likely toughest competitor at the 70.3 distance, Mirinda Carfrae. Reigning Ironman world champ Carfrae was 3rd, behind Canadian Angela Naeth in a breakout race.
Naeth also broke the bike course record, no small feat considering the august list of elite women to tackle this course, including many who were world champions at everything from short course to Ironman. But then her coach and beau Chuckie V is a former pro triathlete and elite bike racer known for punishing competitors on the bike. Her course record was performed aboard a BH GC Aero (soon to be reviewed on Slowtwitch) outfitted with Shimano components.
Ukrainian Maksym Kriat has found moving from short course to 70.3 racing to his liking. Last year's Mooseman and 70.3 Augusta winner nailed down his biggest career victory, besting Luke Bell and a strong field overall.
Photo of Maksym Kriat courtesy Ramon Serrano
St. Croix 70.3
May 1, 2011
1.2mi swim / 56mi bike / 13.1mi run
Men
1. Maksym Kriat (UKR): 4:11:43
2. Luke Bell (AUS): 4:11:59
3. Richie Cunningham (AUS): 4:15:50
4. Patrick Evoe (USA): 4:15:51
5. Alessandro Degasperi (ITA): 4:16:24
6. Romain Guillaume (FRA): 4:24:31
7. Gabriel Raff (ARG) 4:29:03 (M25-29)
Women
1. Catriona Morrison (GBR): 4:29:28
2. Angela Naeth (CAN): 4:32:07
3. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS): 4:36:01
4. Leslie Patterson (GBR): 4:39:09
5. Kate Major (AUS): 4:41:33
6. Amy Marsh (USA): 4:52:31
7. Jacqui Gordon (USA): 4:59:24
