Leon Griffin secures the win on the run, while Melissa Hauschildt continued her dominance at IRONMAN 70.3 Timberman.
Griffin strikes on the run
Andy Potts (USA) was first out of the point-to-point swim in Lake Winnipesaukee with a 22:11 swim time. IRONMAN Brazil champion, Igor Amorelli (BRA), was next out of the water, 52 seconds off the front, while Callum Millward (NZL), Leon Griffin (AUS), Andreas Dreitz (DEU) and Chris Leiferman (USA) were all looking at a two and half minute deficit as they mounted their bikes.
Once on the bike Amorelli slowly closed the gap to Potts. Griffin and Millward continued to lose time, but still kept the damage to around three minutes as the race entered the second half of the bike. Nearing the end of the bike, Potts suffered a mechanical and surrendered the lead and over 13 minutes to the field. Amorelli was first into T2 and carried leads of 3:18 and 3:20 on Griffin and Millward, and over seven minutes on Leiferman.
Once on the run, Griffin steadily clawed his way toward the front of the race. By mile four, Griffin grabbed the lead from Amorelli as Leiferman ran his way into third. Griffin’s second-fastest run of the day secured his position for the remainder of the race and onto the win in a finish time of 3:53:46. Amorelli crossed the line 3:14 later (3:56:59) and Leiferman held onto third with his 3:59:19.
Hauschildt untouchable on the bike and run
The women’s race started with Amanda Stevens edging out Alice Henriques (USA) out of the water by three seconds. Dede Griesbauer (USA) and Valentina Carvallo (CHL) followed the lead pair, with favorites Melissa Hauschildt (AUS) and Linsey Corbin back two and half minutes.
Punching out a race best bike split, Hauschildt was rewarded with advantages of 3:20 over Corbin and 4:29 on Carvallo.
In typical Hauschaildt style, the IRONMAN 70.3 world champion proceed to stride out an unmatchable pace on run. The gap between Hauschildt and her rivals expanded with each passing mile and the race quickly became one for second and third. Hauschildt easily won the title with a winning margin of 7:20 over Corbin (4:20:11) and 12:34 on Carvallo (4:25:26).
Top 5 Men
1.Leon Griffin AUS 3:53:46
2.Igor Amorelli BRA 3:56:59
3.Chris Leiferman USA 3:59:19
4.Andy Potts USA 4:02:39
5.Travis Hawkins USA 4:10:49
Top 5 Women
1.Melissa Hauschildt AUS 4:12:52
2.Linsey Corbin USA 4:20:11
3.Valentina Carvallo CHL 4:25:26
4.Amanda Stevens USA 4:29:07
5.Dede Griesbauer USA 4:31:57