Rudy Von Berg (USA) played his cards smart in Buenos Aires. After exiting the swim with a slim lead, he exercised patience on the bike while riding with Reinaldo Colucci (BRA) and Santiago Ascenco (BRA) for much of the two loop 90 km bike course. The lead trio headed into T2 together with a gap of two minutes on their closest chaser.
In the opening kilometers of the run, Von Berg and Colucci dropped Ascenco. Colucci was next to succumb to the pace shortly before the 9 km mark, and Von Berg ran away unchallenged. The 24-year-old claimed the IRONMAN 70.3 South American tile by a comfortable +4:19 margin.
Pamella Oliveira (BRA) and Lauren Goss (USA) exited the water together and managed to build up a leading gap of close to four minutes by the conclusion of the bike. Oliveira, who claimed a fourth-place finish at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in September, was solid on the run and was rewarded with the effort; Goss came up 41 seconds short of first.
Top 5 Pro Men
1 Von Berg, Rudy USA 3:46:16
2 Colucci, Reinaldo BRA 3:50:35
3 Ascenco, Santiago BRA 3:51:46
4 Laundry, Jackson CAN 3:52:12
5 Libin, Alex USA 3:55:09
Top 5 Pro Women
1 Oliveira, Pamella BRA 4:19:37
2 Goss, Lauren USA 4:20:17
3 Jerdonek, Lindsey USA 4:20:47
4 Palacio, Romina ARG 4:25:38
5 Davis-Hayes USA 4:28:27