Kona 2011 – Finish Gallery
Author Mike Plant quoted one Japanese competitor about the Ironman Hawaii finish line: To paraphrase, the man said, Behind that is hell, beyond it is heaven.' Surely 2011 Ironman Hawaii winners Craig Alexander and Chrissie Wellington would second that emotion – if they hadn’t been so tapped out after their heroics that pretty much all they could muster were battlefield stares and polite efforts to simulate walking amidst the pain.
All photographs © Timothy Carlson
The exhausted duelists pay tribute to one another — Chrissie Wellington held off the furious run of Mirinda Carfrae by 2:49. After a moments of exultation, both were tapped out.
Craig Alexander won his third Ironman World title and broke Luc Van Lierde's race record by 12 seconds after fighting cramps the last three miles.
Moments after mustering a Welchy-worthy leap to the tape, a thrashed Alexander sank to the carpet.
While Alexander lay flat recovering, family sporting a Crowie's Entourage T-shirt exults.
Pete Jacobs vaulted from a bike penalty-plagued 9th last year to 2nd on the wings of a 51:38 swim, a much improved 4:31:01 bike and a second straight race-best run, this one 2:42:29.
Andreas Raelert came in the favorite after his epic duel with Chris McCormack last year. He improved his time by 70 seconds but fell to third and maintained that warm smile of the ultimate sportsman.
Somehow Andreas Raelert has more the gentle persona of the Dali Lama than a killer instinct. You think he is clasping his hands in tribute to his competitors ands the fans rather than his own great race.
Dirk Bockel exudes a powerful sense of satisfaction with his 4th ;place finish.
Dirk Bockel, a proud citizen of Luxembourg.
No matter his 17th place finish, Andy Potts exhibits the graceful gesture of a dancer at a curtain call.
Andy Potts, a world class swimmer as well as triathlete, seems to have the wingspan of an NBA star — or a 787.
Joszef Major is a proud Hungarian Ironman in the tradition of Peter Kropko.
Chrissie Wellington proudly holds the finish tape aloft after overcoming her recent bike crash injuries to earn her 4th Kona win in 8:55:08 – just 66 seconds off her 2009 women's race record.
Chrissie does the Blazeman roll in honor of the late, courageous Jon Blais – who finished the 2005 Ironman World Championship while suffering from ALS and whose foundation Wellington and third place finisher Leanda Cave heartily support.
Mirinda Carfrae approaches the finish after fighting the good fight.
Mirinda Carfrae's arm is raised in tribute to her K-Swiss teammate Leanda Cave as she crosses the finish line with a breakthrough 3rd place finish.
Rachel Joyce rejoices for her 4th place finish in 9:06:57, just 35 seconds in front of Caroline Steffen. After a 6th place in 2009 and 5th in 2010, could she continue her trend with 3-2-1 finishes in 2012, 2013 and 2014?
Last year's runner-up Caroline Steffen went all in for the win this year and fell short, so she could still be proud of her 5th place finish.
Caitlin Snow hurtled past the finish line after a very quick 2:53:51 run.
Virginia Berasategui fought through injuries and some personal issues this year but never lost her competitive fire and exuberance as she took 10th in 9:19:52.
