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IRONMAN LANGKAWI 2007 stories... read what's written by the reporters..
DUO SHOW PLENTY OF GUTS IN IRONMAN RACE
By Tan Sin Chow, The Star
Competing in the physically challenged category, visually impaired Hiromi Yanagawa of Japan came in 233rd overall while Jeffrey Glasbrenner, an American amputee, finished 280th. Their feats were commendable as out of the 550 athletes who started the race, only 463 completed the course within 17 hours to receive the Ironman certification.
Many able-bodied triathletes could not even complete the course consisting of 3.8km swim, 180.2km cycling and 42.2km run, let alone finish within 17 hours in the race dubbed "The Toughest Show on Earth".
Glasbrenner, 34, who lost his right leg below the knee, said the scorching heat in Langkawi was the toughest element to deal with. "I arrived from the United States where it was semi-cold and it is difficult to get used to the climate here," said Glasbren-ner before the race.
Sea of heads : Participants tackling the 3.8km swim event at the start of the Lotto Ironman Langkawi Triathlon Malaysia.
But his worry was quashed after the race as Glasbrenner, who hails from Arkansas, clocked a laudable 13'58:43 in only his second Ironman race. His debut was at the World Ironman Championships in Kona, Hawaii last October. In Hawaii, Glasbrenner clock-ed 13 hours 9 minutes en route to third place in the physically challenged category. Glasbrenner lost his leg during a farming accident when he was eight years old. But that only spurred him to push himself to the limit. "I have taken part in three half-Ironman competitions be-fore and my biggest achievement thus far was to able to complete a full Ironman course in Kona, Hawaii, last year." He said he was inspired to take up triathlon after watch- ing an Ironman race two years ago. And his inspiration is cyclist Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France champion. "Lance's amazing feat prompted me to give triathlon a try as I was so determined to emulate him, to prove that the disabled are also capable of great things," he said. Coming in first in the physi-cally challenged category was Japanese Hiromi Yanagawa, 51, who posted 13'25:07. Yanagawa had to rely on his guide Koji Ohoshi to steer him throughout the tough course.
Professional triathletes cross-ed the finish line at the Lang Square to a loud applause before being greeted by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said.
Unheralded Frenchman Xavier Le Floch clinched the men's professional title in a memorable maiden outing as the favourites all fell out of contention. The 34-year-old overcame the scorching heat and gruelling course to finish the race in 8'43:52 and become the first Frenchman to win in Langkawi. Coming in second was Andrew Johns of Britain, who posted 8'51:19 while Mitch Dean of Australia finished third on 8'51:43.
In the women's professional category, another debutant Germany's Nicole Leder left it late before securing the title. She clocked 9'42:33. Australia's Alison Fitch came in second with a time of 9'50:59 while Japanese Yoko Hori claimed the third spot, clocking 10'00:43.
Azalina, during a press conference, said they were working towards achieving 1,000 participants next year. More than 700 registered for the race this year. However, only 550 started the race with 463 completing the race within the stipulated 17 hours.
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UNHERALDED LE FLOCH AND LEDER WIN IRONMAN LANGKAWI TITLES
~ By Tan Sin Chow, The Star
On a high: Nicole Leder of Germany (left) and Xavier Le Floch of France in jubilant mood after winning the Ironman Langkawi Malaysia Triathlon titles.
Unheralded Frenchman Xavier Le Floch clinched the 2007 Ironman Langkawi Malaysia men's professional title in a memorable maiden outing as the favourites all fell out of contention.
The 34-year-old overcame the scorching heat and gruelling course to finish the race at 8'43:52s and become the first Frenchman to win the title.
Coming in second was Andrew Johns of Great Britain, who posted 8'51:19s while Mitch Dean of Australia finished third on 8'51:43s.
Pre-competition favourite Kiwi Bryan Rhodes, a two-time Ironman Langkawi champion, pulled out half-way through the marathon despite taking a handy lead after the first two disciplines – swimming and cycling.
Nina Kraft, the 2004 World Triathlon Championship runners-up in Kona, Hawaii, suffered a similar fate in the women's professional category.
She was leading all the way before pulling out from the marathon race after just 11km, citing exhaustion as the reason.
Le Floch, whose best achievement before this was a 14th placing at the 2004 World Ironman Championships in Kona, Hawaii, had not been among the favourites and he admitted that even he had been surprised by his win.
"It is everyone's objective to win in a race but the hot weather today made things difficult for everyone. I am happy with my achievement. The feeling is always great when you come out tops against some of the best," he said.
Le Floch sounded his intention from the start. He came out seventh in the swim and moved up to second behind Rhodes after the cycling session. With Rhodes dropping out, Le Floch opened up a sizeable lead from his rivals in the marathon and reached the finishing line a good seven-and-a-half minutes ahead of Johns.
In the women's professional category, another debutant Germany's Nicole Leder left it till late before securing the title. She clocked 9'42:33s. Australia's Alison Fitch came in second with a time of 9'50:59s while Japanese Yoko Hori claimed the third spot, clocking 10'00:43s.
The 36-year-old Leder was seven minutes behind leaders at one point during the marathon before making a late surge to seal the victory. As the day wore on, Leder grew stronger as Fitch slowed down. Britain's Bella Comerford, who led the group at that point, dropped out of the race eventually. "I was hoping for a top-three finish after the cycling event in which I finished fifth," said Leder. "But when I saw only Comerford and Fitch in front of me during the marathon, I know I had a chance for the title. That was when I decided to go all out towards the finishing line," she said. Leder broke down in tears immediately after reaching the finishing point. She received a hug from her husband, Lothar, 35, who finished 10th in the men's professional category.
Jasmi Sarael and Dr Fiona Lim emerged as the best Malaysian finishers yesterday. Jasmi, 34, clocked 10'54:29s to be placed 69th overall, ahead of local top triathlete Wong Ah Thiam. Fiona, a dentist, won the women's 35-39 years category, clocking 12'23:18.
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Hhhhmmmm... what a struggling race story... racing with full speed within 8-9 hours for that distance.. perggghhh... that needs a really strong body & strong mind too...
Really inspiring & motivating... ***wink ***wink..
Ironman Langkawi 2008??? hmmmm...
Overall, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL MALAYSIAN IRONMANs.. thumbs up, u did great job people!! Malaysia is very proud of you..
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