Winds Return to Kona

Ellis, Potts, O’Donnell Top Ten

By Kristen McFarland

October 13, 2012 (Kailua-Kona, HI) – After two years without an American among the top ten men at the IRONMAN World Championship the drought was ended today by Andy Potts (Colorado Springs) and Tim O’Donnell (Boulder) placing 7th (8:31:45) and 8th (8:33:28), respectively.

In addition, Mary Beth Ellis of Superior was the top American woman with her 5th place finish (9:22:57). Boulder resident Mirinda Carfrae of Australia fought hard all day in an attempt to repeat her 2010 win but was bested by winner Leanda Cave of Great Britain; Caroline Steffen of Switzerland finished 2nd only a minute behind Cave.

For several years the trademark winds that have always made this race so notoriously difficult have been absent. They returned in force this year and no records were going to be broken on this day. The surf was a bit rougher as a result and although Andy Potts was first out of the water again this year, his swim time was a couple of minutes slower than usual. A field packed with strong cyclists soon caught him and blew by.

Belgian Marino Vanhoenacker went way off the front. That and the strong winds broke up the pack. There was no long string of pro men, but instead they were exceptionally spread out with the biggest group consisting of only five guys. Vanhoenacker proved to have gone way too hard and abandoned the run about half way through. As often happens, he burned out some of the lead men who had been trying to chase him on his 4:25:49 ride.

Boulder pro Michael Lovato struggled on the bike but stuck it out for a 25th place finish in 8:56:04.

Colorado’s top age-group honors went to Steve Johnson, who came in 51st overall and fifth in the 35-39 age group, and Danielle Kehoe who won the women’s 25-29 age group with a 9:51:07. Ellen Hart took 2nd in the women’s 50-54 age group. Judy Laney won the women’s 60-65 age group.

Colorado Results