Whyte, Granger take Wanaka
Kiwi Jamie Whyte was first out of the water at the 2011 Challenge Wanaka and held on for his first win at this distance. Belinda Granger took charge of the women's race and earned her second Challenge Wanaka title.
The men
Whyte started his day off well with a 52:18 swim in Lake Wanaka and an early lead.
Whyte was joined on the bike by Aussie Josh Rix and the duo rode up front up until 120k into the bike segment. That is when Whyte got away and established a nice gap over all other pursuers. By the time Whyte reached T2 he was more than 4 minutes ahead of Brendan McKinnon and a few more minutes in front of Courtney Ogden.
Once on the run 38-year old Ogden charged past the 39-year old McKinnon for second place, but Whyte was too far out of reach and the 29-year old Kiwi held on for his biggest win to date.
"It's an unbelievable feeling," said Whyte after his Challenge Wanaka win. "I could not have asked for a more perfect race today."
"I just couldn't believe how tough it was out there. That takes the edge off your run as well," said runner-up Ogden. "My quads were just toasted when I got off the bike."
The women
Belinda Granger had been chasing Kiwie Belinda Harper for most of the day until Harper crashed on her bike around the 140k mark. At that point Granger moved into the lead and pretty much took it home from there. Simone Maier took second place and Christie Sym rounded out the podium.
"It was by far the toughest bike ride I have ever, ever done," said a very elated Granger. "I didn't think I was
going to make it back from Cromwell at one stage. I looked down at my bike computer and I was
doing 12 kilometers an hour."
Challenge Wanaka
Lake Wanaka, New Zealand / January 15, 2011
2.4 mile swim / 112 mile bike / 26.2 mile run
Top men
1. Jamie Whyte (NZL) 9:03:53
2. Courtney Ogden (AUS) 9:07:25
3. Bevan McKinnon (NZL) 9:07:37
4. Jimmy Johnsen (DEN) 9:16:45
5. Josh Rix (AUS) 9:20:32
6. Petr Vabrousek (CZE) 9:27:44
7. Richard Thompson (AUS) 9:29:15
8. Brendan Hart (NZL) 9:31:28 * AG M30-39
9. Axel Reiser (GER) 9:35:29
10. Chris Bisley (NZL) 9:37:50 * AG M30-39
Top women
1. Belinda Granger (AUS) 10:26:17
2. Simone Maier (GER) 10:32:25
3. Christie Sym (AUS) 10:36:57
4. Joanna Carritt (GBR) 10:57:21
5. Belinda Harper (NZL) 11:23:15
