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Top finishers produce own drama in end

2004 Olympian wins men's stretch duel and women's winner sets Ironman 70.3 world record.

By JOEY KNIGHT, Times Staff Writer
Published November 11, 2007

CLEARWATER BEACH - As he approached the finish line Saturday, ahead of 1,465 other triathletes who had emerged from the gulf waters that morning at Pier 60, Andy Potts' outstretched arms were more horizontal than vertical, as if poised for a giant hug.

Fitting, since there was so much for the 30-year-old U.S. Olympian to embrace: glorious weather, the adulation of spectators lining the final stretch, and the Ironman World Championship 70.3 he needed 3 hours, 42 minutes, 33 seconds to capture.

Tapping into a final surge of energy, Potts outkicked 36-year-old Ironman Brazil champ Oscar Galindez (3:42:37) over the last 200 or so meters to win the second running - and swimming and biking - of this international event. An $18,000 check accompanied the victory.

"Right now, I'm on cloud nine" said Potts, the Colorado Springs, Colo., resident who kissed wife Lisa and gawked at 6-month-old son Boston upon crossing the finish line. "It hasn't really hit me in its entirety. I'm really just excited to race to my potential."

Nearly upstaging the thrilling men's pro division finish was Brisbane, Australia, native Mirinda Carfrae, who used a blistering pace during the 13.1-mile run to post a world-record women's time (4:07:25). The fourth of six children, Carfrae finished more than four minutes ahead of runnerup and defending women's pro champ Samantha McGlone of Canada. Carfrae bettered Natascha Badmann's 4:08:17 at a June 70.3 event in Maryland.

The race, featuring 13 divisions, commenced at 7 a.m. Saturday at Pier 60 under prime triathlon conditions: clear skies, crisp air and tranquil 68-degree waters.

"It was perfect conditions today," said 2006 overall champ Craig Alexander, who placed fourth.

But it ended in heat, a dead one.

A former All-America swimmer at Michigan and 2004 U.S. Olympic triathlon team member, Potts led after the 1.2-mile swim (22 minutes, 57 seconds) but was in fifth place at the end of the 56-mile bike ride.

Adhering to a patient pace throughout the run, he found himself 1 minute, 40 seconds behind Galindez at Mile 4, 1:17 behind him 2 miles later, and 15 seconds off the lead at Mile 10.

The two were essentially neck and neck upon entering the pier roundabout, with Galindez on Potts' right shoulder. The U-turn direction of the course, however, soon gave Potts an inside position he wouldn't relinquish.

"I tried to stay within myself and not do anything stupid," said Potts, who won the USA Triathlon National Championships in May in Honolulu. "And when it came down to my kick, I've got a lot of faith in my kick."

Carfrae, 26, had to overcome an imposing lead by England's Julie Dibens, who still led the field by more than three minutes halfway through the run. Carfrae caught Dibens by Mile 8, and was in command as she crossed Memorial Causeway toward the beach. She completed the run in 1:18:41. Dibens collapsed across the finish line in fourth place.

"I was getting (split times) all the way," Carfrae said. "I was seven minutes off (Dibens) at the bike, and by the 10K mark, I had taken three more minutes off, so do the math. ... It really hasn't sunk in yet."

Race officials reported nine athletes transported to local hospitals. City of Clearwater spokesman Doug Matthews said two injuries were considered serious, but none were life-threatening.

"It's beautiful," Carfrae said. "It's a really nice venue."

[Last modified November 10, 2007, 21:44:32]