Todd Skipworth had a wire to wire win in Mexico, while Leanda Cave appears to be heading to Kona in fine form.
Skipworth leads all day
Todd Skipworth (AUS) lead the men’s race out of the tropical waters in Cozumel and recording the second fastest bike to ensure he remained in front off the bike. Chris Leiferman (USA), Paul Ambrose and Rual Tejada (GTM) were next into T2, just over a minute behind the leader.
Once on the run, Skipworth powered away from the field. Ambrose, whose glutes locked up after the bike and couldn't run properly, would eventually DNF. Leiferman was overtaken by Tejada and Steven Zawaski (USA) in the late stages of the run. Skipworth would claim the 2014 IRONMAN 70.3 title in 4:02:30. Tejada would cross the finish line over five minutes later (4:07:33), with Zawaski rounding out the podium in 4:07:43.
Cave looks strong all day
Leanda Cave (GBR) appears to be heading toward the IRONMAN World Championship presented by GoPro in terrific form. The 2012 IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 world champion was nudged by two seconds for the lead out of the water, but managed to build up leads of three and nine minutes on Jennifer Spieldenner (USA) and Valentina Carvallo (CHL) by the end of the bike.
Once on run Cave crushed the competition with the race-best run in hot and humid conditions to claim the win in Mexico in 4:20:58. Carvallo was next to cross the line, stopping the clock at 4:33:24. Corrie Kristick (USA) closed out the podium with a 4:37:47 finish time.
Top 5 Pro Men
1 Todd Skipworth AUS 4:02:30
2 Rual Tejada GTM 4:07:33
3 Steven Zawaski USA 4:07:43
4 Chris Leiferman USA 4:08:49
5 Arturo Garza MEX 4:11:50
Top 5 Pro Women
1 Leanda Cave GBR 4:20:58
2 Valentina Carvallo CHL 4:33:24
3 Corrie Kristick USA 4:37:47
4 Brooke Brown CAN 4:39:18
5 Ruth Nivon Machoud MEX 4:48:18