By Shawn Skene / IRONMAN.com
September 24, 2012 (Branson, MO) – USA’s Andy Potts was in a league of his own in the water as he hit Moonshine Beach on Table Rock Lake, with a 22:56 swim. Potts had six pursuers between 2:29 and 2:46 in arrears, included Australians John Polson and Mathew Pellow, New Zealand’s Crawford Napier, American Matt Taylor and Argentina’s Mario De Elias.
By 20-miles into the bike Potts remained in the lead with Ben Hoffman (fresh off a win at IRONMAN Wisconsin two weeks ago) in second, 2:22 back. The American duo had Pellow (-3:10) and Polson (-3:18) trailing in third and fourth. At 38-miles, Potts had stretched his lead to 3:18 over Hoffman and continued to put Pellow and Polson out of contention for the win.
Entering T2 and out onto the run, Potts held a 3:27 advantage over Hoffman, 4:11 on Pellow and 8:10 on De Elias, who had surged to fourth during the late stages of the bike. Completing the opening half the run, Potts was running controlled with Hoffman 3:41 back, while Pellow was making a push towards second 12-seconds behind of Hoffman. At 11-miles, Potts was 4:01 up on Hoffman, with Pellow fading back to 5:27 off the leader’s pace.
Potts cruised to the win in a time of 4:04:23, with Hoffman holding on to second, 4:01 off Pott’s winning pace. Pellow appeared to have blown up in the closing two miles, allowing De Elias to claim the final podium placing.
Pro Men
1 Andy Potts 4:04:23
2 Ben Hoffman 4:12:38
3 Mario De Elias 4:12:38
4 Mathew Pellow 4:23:21
5 John Polson 4:14:27
