4 members of PACTRAC competed in the 70.3 Half-Ironman in Antwerp.From 1147 finishers, Jaap Flikweert was the best placed in 61st
position with 2nd in his Age Group.
Jaap has said that he is very happy with his 2nd place. "I had a
great race on all 3 disciplines. The bike was flat but very windy; I
was riding with Natascha Badmann for a bit (6 times Ironman World
Champion). Good run course through the city centre, a few cobbles, just
missed the 1.30 goal. Las Vegas doesn't fit the plan at all for this
year; maybe next year now that I know it's achievable".
So Jaap did qualify for the 70.3 Half-Ironman World Championships in
Las Vegas, but will not be going this year. He has other races already
planned. Dave Patmore-Hill also qualified, and will be taking up his
slot for September's race. A great result for Dave, whose main ambition
for this year was to qualify, although he expected to have to wait
until next year to make the dream a reality.
Jaap is now currently trying to recover from a shin problem, so will
not be doing the last mini-series race tonight. In Antwerp, he pulled
away from Badman to come in off the bike 2:40 minutes ahead, but Badman
had the faster run to come in 2 minutes clear at the end.
swim 1900 metres
bike 56 miles - 3 laps
run 13.1 miles - also 3 laps.
61. Jaap Flikweert 27.57 2.30.22 1.30.30 = 4:28:49 AG = 2nd.
185. Dave Patmore-Hill 31.47 2.46.07 1.31.28 - 4:49:22 AG = 19.
694. Samantha Fielding 43.19 3.00.21 1.50.03 = 5:33:43 AG = 19.
943. Mariska Niemeijer 36.52 3.27.54 2.01.58 = 6:06:44 AG = 31.
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Paul Frampton completed the Austrian Ironman in Klagenfurt in 11:42:41
hours. This race produced the fastest ever Ironman time when Belgian
Marino Vanhoenacker produced a 7:45:59 knocking 4:28 minutes off the
previous world record.
Distances were:
swim 2.4 miles - 1 lap in the lake followed by a final 1/2 mile in the
canal. 2,400 athletes all starting in 1 wave with 1,500 metres to the
first buoy, so sufficient time to sort positions out in the warm 25*C.
bike 112 miles - 2 laps on closed roads with a couple of climbs per lap.
run 26.2 miles - 2 laps completely flat.
1509. Paul Frampton 1:17:17 6:04:19 4:21:05 = 11:42:41 AG (40-44) = 337.
This was Paul's first Ironman and he was "chuffed" to have finished. He
was happy with his time, although said afterwards that "I would spend
less time (2 x 8 minutes) in transation next time! This was a massive
event, and the swim start was "an experience". It was a great course
though, especially on the bike where 4 moderate hills (on both laps)
are followed by long, non technical descents for loads of time on the
tri-bars. I drove down with a couple of friends which took ages but it
was very convenient having the bike in the car and transport on hand
for the race weekend. I'm well up for another one and am open to
suggestions for other good races."
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Meanwhile in Nottingham husband and wife, Justin and Caroline Hattee
completed their first Ironman distance races in the Outlaw Triathlon at
Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham. They had similar swim times, with Justin
pulling away on the bike and coming into T2 52 minutes up. However,
Caroline had a much better run and pulled the time back consistently,
overtaking hubby with a quarter of the marathon still to go.
265. Caroline Hattee 1:13:29 6.49.31 4.28.26 = 12.31.26
326. Justin Hattee 1:13:07 5.57.14 5.38.51 = 12.49.12
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Matt Gunby picked up a small knee injury, so pulled out of Sunday's
European Cup Triathlon in Switzerland. He is expecting to be fit again
to race in Spain next Sunday though.