Sturla, Marsh in Brazil
Argentina's Eduardo Sturla took the win at the Ironman Brazil Florianopolis for the fourth time and had to hold off some hard charging runners for this victory. Amy Marsh grabbed the win in the women's race and that is her fourth Ironman title.
Brazilian Luiz Francisco de Paiva Ferreira led the Pro men out of the water in a time of 43:34 and most of the favorites to win the race had lost about 6 minutes to the speedy swimmer and first time Ironman starter.
Out on the bike de Paiva Ferreira continued to set the pace and he was chased by Eduardo Sturla and Oscar Galindez who each had won this race 3-times, plus Guilherme Valenza Manocchio was also riding quite well. A bit further back Chris McDonald was biding his time. In the second half of the bike Sturla pushed into the lead and distanced all other challengers. By the time he hit the bike-run transition he had a 5:21 lead over Manocchio, more than 10 over McDonald and Galindez had lost a surprising 12 minutes.
During the run Manocchio came very close to catch the lanky Argentinian and managed to bring the over 5 minute gap after the bike down to about 20 seconds with 5k to go in the race. But it would not get any closer and after a few fighting words from Sturla, the Argentinian started to distance his younger Brazilian challenger. In the end Sturla took his 4th title with a bit more than 2 minute margin.
"We spend a lot of energy training down under this year with great partners and friends and all that brought results a few month after. This 4th victory down here means everything to me because it gives me the most wins at this event and that is big," said Sturla to slowtwitch. "I dedicate this to all my really true friends and of course to my wife Renata who is always by my side."
Lucie Zelenkova had a superb swim and swam with the pack that contained the favorite men. Hillary Biscay was down about 2 minutes and Amy Marsh about 4.
Out on the bike Marsh really was flying and it didn't take her too long to catch up to Zelenkova. Soon after Marsh was in the lead and only Zelenkova was able to keep somewhat pace.
Once on the run, Marsh looked really fast and she slowly added to her lead distancing Zelenkova further and further and by the time she crossed the line first she had almost 7 minutes in hand and had earned her 4th Ironman title.
"I ended up out of the water a little further back than I wanted. I rode strong and felt great on the bike. I guess you could say I rode a bit angry after my lousy swim," said Marsh. "I just tried to catch anyone and everyone in front of me on the bike. I had a 6 minute lead off the bike and just tried to be smart on the run. Plugged along at a steady pace and was very happy with the win."
Ironman Brazil Florianopolis
Florianopolis, Brazil / May 29, 2011
2.4m swim / 112m bike / 26.2m run
Top men
1. Eduardo Sturla (ARG) 8:15:03
2. Guilherme Valenza Manocchio (BRA) 8:17:20
3. Ezequiel Morales (ARG) 8:21:40
4. Santiago Alves Ascenço (BRA) 8:26:16
5. Chris McDonald (AUS) 8:26:24
Top women
1. Amy Marsh (USA) 9:09:39
2. Lucie Zelenkova (CZE) 9:16:14
3. Ariane Gomes Monticeli da Silveira (BRA) 9:19:15
4. Hillary Biscay (USA) 9:35:05
5. Fernanda Keller (BRA) 9:49:54
