Ferguson leads from front to win Ironman WA

Christchurch triathlete Gina Ferguson has led from the front to win Ironman Western Australia in Busselton today.

Ferguson, runner-up last year, was the class of the race, first out of the 3.8km swim and then clearing out on the 180km bike and 42km marathon run to go under the nine hour barrier again in 8hr 59min.

She finished more than seven minutes clear of defending champion Charlotte Paul (Queensland) with another Australian Kat Baker (ACT) third nearly 40 minutes behind the winner.

It is the New Zealander’s second Ironman win after her breakthrough victory in Ironman Wisconsin last year and follows her outstanding eighth place on debut at the World Championships in Hawaii.

Ferguson says she will enjoy a couple of weeks break before refocusing her sights for her major mission of Ironman New Zealand at Taupo in March, where she hopes to unseat six-time champion Joanna Lawn in the 25th anniversary of the world’s oldest international Ironman race.

The only problem for the 28 year old was a broken aerobar which cost her a best time although she was delighted with her improvement on the bike.

“That was really hard but I am so pleased to go under nine hours again,” Ferguson said. “My race plan was to go out from the front and the race went to plan.

“The only problem was that my aerobar broke after 60kms. I didn’t want to stop so I had to hold it in place with one hand for the last 100kms. Having said that, I still did 4hr 56min on the bike which was my first time under five hours.

“I did not eat enough on the bike because of that problem and that cost me a bit on the run because I had not fuelled up enough.”

Ferguson said she was focussing on improving her performances on the bike since Hawaii.

“I know that is what I have to do if I want to progress. I had my first ever bike set-up with my coach Greg Fraine recently and that has made a lot of difference.

“The big focus for me now is to continue to improve on the bike and set myself for Ironman New Zealand. I have not been pleased with how I have competed there before so I am keen to have a really big race there especially as it is the 25th anniversary.”

Wellington’s Vicki Jones, a former world age group champion, was an impressive seventh in her debut in the professional ranks.

Results, Ironman Western Australia (3.8km swim 180km bike 42km run):

Females: Gina Ferguson (NZL) 8:59.24 (50.30 swim, 4:56.42 bike, 3:08.54 run), 1; Charlotte Paul (AUS) 9:06.34 (57.35, 4:59.00, 3:08.59) 2; Kat Baker 9:37.24 (57.50, 4:57.33, 3:39.33) 3.

Other New Zealanders: Vicki Jones (Wellington) 9:48.24, 7.

Males: Tim Berkel (AUS) 8:07.06, 1; Jason Shortis (AUS) 8:10.57, 2; Luke McKenzie (AUS) 8:12.45, 3.

New Zealanders: Wayne Shakelton (Hamilton) 9:36.08, 21.