Experience proved the winning factor for both male and female winners at IRONMAN Japan.
Taiwan star Shiao-Yu Li staged a comeback of epic proportions to bag her third straight victory at the au Insurance IRONMAN Japan at Lake Toya in Hokkaido.
The 38 year old came from nearly 20 minutes behind off the bike to claim her third win in a remarkable display.
It proved a day for experience with 42 year old Swen Sundberg (Sweden) taking command on the tough bike course and holding on for his well-deserved victory.
Male Race
New Zealand’s Simon Cochrane led out of the 3.8km swim in the stunning Lake Toya in 51:54, closely followed by Thiago Vinhal (BRA) with Sundberg three minutes adrift and favoured American Patrick Evoe nearly eight minutes back.
The challenging bike course, with two major climbs and little flat terrain, was always going to be the key. Sundberg was quick to make his mark, forcing his way through the field and his 5:09:58 effort was four minutes faster than his closest rival. By the time he arrived at T2 he had a six minute buffer on leading Japanese triathlete Yu Shinozaki, nine minutes on Evoe and 12 minutes to Cochrane.
The Swede, who recently won in Bangkok, managed a 3:10.06 marathon to hold all challengers at bay. Evoe reduced the margin to 2:50 halfway through the run but could not sustain the effort and had to settle for runner-up five minutes behind the winner.
Kiwi Cochrane ran through Shinozaki to claim the final spot on the podium.
"I have raced many tough cycle courses including IRONMAN Lanzarote and this is definitely the most challenging that I have done," said Sundberg. "It was very difficult but beautiful. The volunteers were so helpful. I was impressed with the minimal traffic on the road and how well it was marked. It really is a great event here in Japan."
Evoe was delighted with his second placing and now rushes back to Texas where his wife is due to give birth to their first child.
Female Race
Japan’s Keiko Tanaka produced an outstanding swim of 55.12 to take a 1.15 lead over American Bree Wee out of the swim with 3.30 back to Sandra Fantani (FRA) with two-time defending champion Li 17.37s in arrears.
Wee produced a solid bike of 5.52.01, the second best of the day, to push through to the lead. The American opened a three minute advantage over Tanaka in T2 with popular Japanese athlete Emi Sakai moving to third 6.20 behind on the back of the day’s best bike split of 5:45.37. Li seemed to be out contention as she entered T2 nearly 20 minutes behind the leader.
Tanaka regained the lead at the 15km mark with Wee at 1:28 back and Sakai at 8:12. However Li had already taken some eight minutes out of the deficit and was flying.
Tanaka withdrew leaving Wee back in front but Li was storming through the field, now just 3:50 back in third. She claimed the lead by the 30km mark and her remarkable 3:08:53 off one of the toughest bikes in IRONMAN, was outstanding. She won in 10:22:59 and enjoyed a victory by 10 minutes from Wee.
Li’s marathon would be 30 minutes better than her closest rival, to gain her hat-trick of wins at IRONMAN Japan.
"I love racing in Japan. Everyone makes me feel so welcome," Li said. "That was the hardest year as it is a really challenging course now. I did not expect that.
"On the ride it was tough but I am so happy to win. Thank you to everyone for their support. I feel like this is my race."
The runner-up Wee also recognised the challenge of the course.
"Wow that was challenging. Just crazy. But I want to come back to race next year." Wee said.
Sakai had a solid run to finish on the podium ahead of Western Australia’s Michelle Duffield and Sandra Fantani from france.
Results:
Male Pros
1 Swen Sundberg SWE 9:22:56
2 Patrick Evoe USA 9:28:14
3 Simon Cochrane NZL 9::31:56
4 Yu Shinozaki JPN 9:40:05
5 Daiki Masuda JPN 10.06.41
Female Pros
1 Shaio-Yu Li TAI 10:22;59
2 Bree Wee USA 10:33:59
3 Emi Sakai JPN 10:45:06
4 Michelle Duffield AUS 11:03:27
5 Sandra Fantani FRA 11:07:49