teamTBB Kona Wrap

teamTBB Kona Wrap

Great Performances by teamTBB at Ironman 2012 World Championships

Ironman World Championships

Kona, Hawaii

October 13^th 2012

With an already great 2012 season for teamTBB till date with race wins across all continents in of the largest race held (e.g. IM Melbourne, IM Frankfurt, IM New York and Challenge Roth, etc.) three of our teamTBB athletes managed to qualify for Kona 2012, being Caroline Steffen (Xena), Mary Beth Ellis (MBE) and David Dellow.

The team performed very well in this year’s World Championship edition with Xena finishing as the Runner Up World Champion in 2^nd place, MBE finishing in a very solid 4^th place and Dave finishing in 9^th position on his first Kona appearance. Xena and MBE were leading the race just past the half way point of bike ride till just 3km before the finish line. To the surprise of many, Xena, MBE and in the end winner Leanda Cave all received a 4 min penalty which was not clear at all for what reason. Xena and MBE however refocused on the race and both helped produce an epic women’s race under some of the hottest race conditions this race has seen in recent years. At the finish line, MBE improved from her last year’s 15^th place and Xena from her 5^th placing in 2011, it shows great progress of both and the future for them is bright! David’s 9^th place finish as his 4^th Ironman distance event after switching over from the short course races, just consolidates a great season for him and demonstrates he is a real podium contender for the years to come.

Kona 2012 was an epic day of racing with stacked fields and weather that showed the Big Island Gods were ready to make the athletes suffer. The swim was unusually choppy then the bike seemed calm until the 50km mark when the winds started to blow. The Islands winds were brutal pounding the athletes all day long from the front and sides. Then the weather on the run was one of the hottest days in history. The weather and strong field led to great races in both the women’s and men’s professional races. We are very proud of our teamTBB warriors for fighting hard and all coming in the top ten. Dave battled strong all day and faded a bit but still finished a strong 9^th in his Kona debut. While MBE rebounded from a disappointing race here in 2011 to come in 5^th but only a minute outside 3^rd place despite serving a 4 min penalty. Xena raced like the warrior princess she is and battled all day despite being hampered with an early penalty on the bike. She showed that she is one of the toughest ladies in Ironman and will come back and win in Kona one day soon.

Xena reported in on her race to say “it was a tough day with a lot of nasty crosswind and oven like heat in the marathon. I tried to do my very best, even I had to change my plan in the middle of the race because of a 4min penalty (my first penalty ever). I tried to show a strong smart race. I didn`t had much left in the tank the last 3km on the run. It was a unique battle for the woman triathlon sport, that’s for sure and I loved it. Great job girls, great race MB and a big congrats to David for his fantastic 9th place. Way to go Team TBB. Thanks to all of you for all your lovely text and cheering out there at the racecourse!”

MBE also reported in after her 5^th place finish. She said ”while I am a bit disappointed in my performance, I am so proud of Xena and Dave. I know I was capable of finishing higher up, but I made some crucical mistakes that cost me a podium. In addition, I faded badly in the run and didn’t battle as valiantly as Xena. I am leaving Kona more excited for the next 12 months with teamTBB then I have ever been for anything in my life. I know that Xena and I can finish 1,2 next year. A huge thank you to my amazing sponsors, Brett, Alex, and my great friends and family. Without all your support, I could never get to the start line.”

Dave reported in to say "'all in all I was a bit disappointed with my race. The ride was a lot harder than I was expecting with the stronger than usual cross winds but I still managed to get of the bike in reasonable position. The first half of the marathon was perfect and I could see the two blokes in 3rd and 4th but over the second half of the marathon I payed the price for having to ride harder than I expected and faded back to 9th. I know what to work on now and I'll be much better here in 2013."

Congrats to our teamTBB warriors! We are proud to see you all in the top ten and look forward to an even more successful world championships in 2013!

Ironman World Championship
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
October 13, 2012
S 2.4 mi. / B 112 mi. / R 26.2 mi.

Results

Pro Men

1. Pete Jacobs (AUS) 8:18:37
2. Andreas Raelert (GER) 8:23:40
3. Frederik Van Lierde (BEL) 8:24:09
4. Sebastian Kienle (GER) 8:27:08
5. Faris Al-Sultan (GER) 8:28:33
6. Timo Bracht (GER) 8:30:57
7. Andy Potts (USA) 8:31:45
8. Timothy O'Donnell (USA) 8:33:28
9. David Dellow (AUS) 8:35:02
10. Dirk Bockel (LUX) 8:36:21
11. Bart Aernouts (BEL) 8:37:31
12. Craig Alexander (AUS) 8:40:49
13. Jordan Rapp (USA) 8:42:49
14. Jeremy Jurkiewicz (FRA) 8:44:45
15. Axel Zeebroek (BEL) 8:45:12

Pro Women

1. Leanda Cave (GBR) 9:15:54
2. Caroline Steffen (SUI) 9:16:58
3. Mirinda Carfrae (AUS) 9:21:41
4. Sonja Tagsich (GER) 9:22:45
5. Mary Beth Ellis (USA) 9:22:57
6. Natascha Badmann (SUI) 9:26:25
7. Gina Crawford (NZL) 9:28:54
8. Linsey Corbin (USA) 9:32:18
9. Caitlin Snow (USA) 9:36:18
10. Amy Marsh (USA) 9:38:15

teamTBB in the media

There was a huge interest in teamTBB athlete’s leading up to the race this year and we therefore provide some references to a selection of this media coverage.

Tri Radar: http://www.triradar.com/news/caroline-steffen-ready-to-run-for-gold-in-kona/

Triathlete Europe (UK): http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com/2012/10/16/teamtbb-to-run-on-clouds-after-partnering-with-on-running/

The Sun (UK): http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/other_sports/triathlon/4579852/Ironman-UK-champion-Daniel-Halksworth-looks-ahead-to-Saturdays-showdown-in-Hawaii-and-plans-to-take-the-Big-Island-by-storm-in-2013.html

On and teamTBB press release on global partnership: http://www.on-running.com/files/2012-10-11_-_on_-_en_on_and_teamtbb_announce_gobal_partnership.pdf

On Blog:

http://www.on-running.com/index.php?article_id=4

Triathlon Competitor (USA):

http://triathlon.competitor.com/2012/10/gear-tech/kona-pro-bike-caroline-steffens-cervelo-p5_63783/attachment/_dsc8988

Triathlon Competitor (USA):

http://triathlon.competitor.com/2012/10/video/video-caroline-steffen-chats-about-third-place-kona-finish_64609

Triathlon Competitor (USA):

http://triathlon.competitor.com/2012/10/video/video-mary-beth-ellis-top-five-finish_64670