[ad_1]
John Cowpland / Photosport
Braden Currie wins the Nutrigrain Ironman at Taupō on Saturday.
Braden Currie and Hannah Wells claimed victory at Nutri-Grain Ironman New Zealand, with Wells winning on his Ironman debut.
A close race saw Currie push through the final stages to take the title nearly nine minutes ahead of Mike Phillips. Taupō local Kyle Smith came close to third place in his Ironman debut.
Currie led the pack all day, finishing the swim leg second behind Smith. Less than a second separated the top three male athletes, Smith, Currie and Mike Phillips, at the end of the bike stage, with Currie taking the lead and dominating the race.
“I knew it was going to be a tough race, I just had to do what I could do and stay consistent,” Currie said. “I had to grit my teeth at the 30km mark, keep up and stay there.
READ MORE:
* Athlete Hannah Pascoe loves being a mom
* Rocky road on the way to Emily McNaughtan’s ironman debut
* Fighting body and mind through Ironman
* Kyle Smith of Taupō ready to debut in the ironman at home
“This race always means a lot and this result generates good confidence going into the year and focuses on the World Champions. I had my first win here on debut, this feels more solid, ”he said. “It’s a tough race at Ironman and it’s getting harder and harder.”
In the final standings, Currie took the title for the first time since his debut win in 2017, followed by Mike Phillips and then Kyle Smith.
Wells took her inaugural Ironman title, after finishing second in the swim five minutes behind Rebecca Clarke. Wells made up time and more on the bike stage, taking a more than six minute lead in the race and finishing nearly 14 minutes ahead of Clarke.
John Cowpland / Photosport
Hannah Wells. Nutrigrain Ironman, Taupo, New Zealand, Saturday March 27, 2021. Copyright photo: John Cowpland / www.photosport.nz
“This means so much that I can’t even put it into words,” Wells said. “Many thanks to the organizers who have gone through many changes, to my sponsors and family.
“I had a plan and I wanted to follow it, I just wanted to run my best career. There were always going to be surprises and difficult moments, ”he said. “I had a difficult swim and the second half of the marathon was difficult, but I am really happy to reach the finish line.
“I would like to try again, I think I can do better. This event is incredible and I look forward to racing in Cairns in June depending on the travel circumstances.
After Clarke led the swim, Wells dominated the race with Emily McNaughtan maintaining a steady pace and finishing third.
TAKE A LOOK
Ironman results
MENS
1 Braden Currie, NZL, 7:57:12
2 Mike Phillips, NZL, 8:06:38
3 Kyle Smith, NZL, 8:08:53
4 Jack Moody, New Zealand, 8:18:23
5 Ben Phillips, NZL, 8:19:59
6 Simon Cochrane, NZL, 8:24:39
7 Lucas Duross, NZL, 8:51:26
8. Cameron Brown, NZL, 8:58:47
WOMAN
1 Hannah Wells, NZL, 9:01:49
2 Rebecca Clarke, NZL, 9:15:38
3 Emily McNaughtan, NZL, 9:38:42
4 Melanie Burke, NZL, 10:05:12
