Nine for Brown, record for Lawn in Taupo

Written by ironman.com Sunday, 07 March 2010 07:04

Cameron Brown showed all his experience to overcome the challenge from
fellow Kiwi, Terenzo Bozzone, to claim his ninth victory at the Bonita
Ironman New Zealand. Their countrywoman Jo Lawn gained the upper hand over
rival Gina Crawford to reclaim the women's title that she lost to the
Christchurch triathlete last year in Taupo, setting a new course record in
the process despite the windy conditions.

The 25-year-old contender, Bozzone, threw down the gauntlet to open an
eight minute buffer after the first lap of the 180km bike, but paid for
his boldness as Brown ground down the gap to just one minute off heading
into T2 as the south-east winds picked up.

From there he was quickly able to exert his dominance, claiming the lead
within 5 km on the way to another sub-2:50 marathon. Brown produced a
regal performance to win in 8:21.52, his third fastest time in Taupo,
where he has now recorded six of the fastest seven times in history.
His win sees him become the first athlete to ever win the same Ironman
race nine times.
Brown is already setting his sights on an attempt for a 10th win in Taupo
which would cement his place in the history of the sport in this country
and around the world.

“It was a tough day and Terenzo really laid it down out there on the bike.
There was no way I could go faster, but we managed to claw it back,” Brown

said.

“It was tough conditions and very hard, so I am really pleased with the
performance. To win once, anywhere is special in this sport, so to achieve
nine is amazing. It means a lot to me, to my family, friends and
sponsors.”

Bozzone was brave in his challenge, but the first to hand out the plaudits
to his rival.

“I gave it a shot, but I guess I paid for my lack of experience. I felt I
was OK at that pace on the bike, but on the second lap my wattage went
down when the winds blew, and I was in trouble.

“But hats off to Cameron. He is an absolute legend.”

Bozzone finished eight minutes back in 8:30.00, with the Kiwi trifecta
completed with an encouraging third place for Kieran Doe (Auckland) in
8:34.16.

Lawn came to Taupo determined and confident to put her career firmly back
on track following the disappointment of losing her crown last year.

She trailed national time trial cycling champion Melissa Holt by 30
seconds off the bike, but had opened a handy two minute advantage over
Crawford. The six-time champion quickly rounded up Holt on the run, and
ran away from Crawford with a 3:06 marathon, the best of her career, to
set up a course record 9:14.35.

“I had extra motivation and determination not just for Jo Lawn but for
everyone who stuck by me for last year. I came here this week with a
mission,” Lawn said.

“To get a race record today, in those conditions is amazing. I’m just so
happy, not just for today but that I know I am back to my best and I have
a lot more to achieve in the sport.”
Crawford finished second in 9:28.26, with American Kim Loeffler running up
to third place in 9:30:57

PLACE	ATHLETE	SWIM	BIKE	RUN	TOTAL
Pro Women
1	LAWN, Joanna	0:50:46	5:12:19	3:06:23	9:14:35
2	CRAWFORD, Gina	0:50:02	5:15:17	3:17:41	9:28:26
3	LOEFFLER, Kim	1:04:09	5:13:01	3:08:21	9:30:57
4	POLLETT, Sarah	0:50:47	5:22:39	3:26:53	9:45:44
5	MARTIN, Britta	1:02:54	5:11:50	3:26:38	9:47:11
6	WARD, Nicole	0:54:40	5:26:18	3:25:18	9:51:05
7	BEVILAQUA, Kate	0:57:11	5:12:48	4:02:19	10:18:12
8	HOLT, Melissa	0:54:49	5:07:15	4:16:25	10:24:18
9	SCOTT, Jodie	0:54:57	5:33:20	3:49:15	10:24:51
Pro Men
1	BROWN, Cameron	0:49:28	4:40:29	2:47:35	8:21:52
2	BOZZONE, Terenzo	0:46:29	4:42:31	2:56:53	8:30:00
3	DOE, Kieran	0:45:38	4:44:05	3:00:07	8:34:16
4	WILLIAMS, Keegan	0:50:11	4:49:10	2:55:44	8:40:11
5	BOWSTEAD, James	0:53:10	4:41:11	3:22:49	9:02:46
6	WATERHOUSE, Chris	0:50:02	4:59:48	3:15:42	9:10:41
7	LÜSCHER, Stefan	1:04:04	4:57:48	3:08:19	9:15:44
8	MUNRO, Rich	0:51:43	4:55:52	3:33:15	9:26:18
9	CROWTHER, Jason	0:50:04	5:08:00	3:23:05	9:26:19
10	CAREY, John	0:57:02	5:11:41	3:27:48	9:42:16
11	VRABEL, Jozef	0:54:52	5:16:30	3:32:24	9:50:09
12	LUBINSKI, Jim	1:02:29	5:24:02	3:24:20	9:55:30
13	NEMCIK, Marek	1:10:04	6:36:01	4:22:28	12:21:51