Posted: August 15, 2004

Triathlon: Saunders And Keat Take Victory At Rydges Capricorn Half Ironman

Yeppoon in Central Queensland produced a perfect day for racing for this year's running of the Rydges Capricorn Half Ironman. Round Three of the Road to Ironman Australia Qualifying Series got under way with a record field of 375 athletes toeing the starting line, vying for one of the elusive 75 qualifying spots available for the Snap Ironman Australian Triathlon held in Forster, NSW in April.

The 1.9km swim presented idyllic pond like conditions with South Africa’s Nick Saunder leading out of the water first in 26 minutes. A group of top contenders were next to exit and included South Australia’s Matt Stephens, Canberra’s Stu Shaw, and 2003 defending champion, Accenture tour supremo, Courtney Atkinson.

Saunders, Stephens and Shaw rode strongly together as Atkinson slowly but surely started to drop off the pace. Despite Courtney’s recent appendix operation only three weeks ago he continued to give his all. Two laps into the five-lap 90km cycle course saw a stiff breeze blow up making it tough for all competitors and slowed the pace down.

Heading onto the Asics 21.1km run Nick Saunders left transition at a cracking pace determined to take the lead. Stephens was holding on tight but couldn’t challenge and dropped back, with Shaw also falling behind. Saunders, known for his foot speed was in the box seat to take victory and age grouper Philip Dove was mounting a challenge for second place against Stephens and Shaw.

However it was Nick Saunders dominating run that saw him take victory with a five-minute gap to the next competitor to become the proud winner of the 2004 Rydges Capricorn Half Ironman. After victory at the Gloria Jeans NT Long Course Championships only three weeks earlier, Matt Stephens had an excellent run to finish in second place followed by age grouper Philip Dove a further two minutes back taking out third. Age grouper Kurt Mitchell from Richmond crossed in fourth, with Dunstan Burtschinger in fifth. After a great start to the day a weary Shaw finished in sixth place.

In the women's race last minute entry and race favourite, Rebekah Keat set a blistering pace in the swim to be the early race leader. Rebekah Keat, who has a plethora of long distance wins to her credit within Australia and around the world and is currently the girl to beat in Australia in any Half Ironman triathlon!

Keat was first out of the water heading into transition and was on her way to demolishing the field. With the wind starting to lift on the bike, 2003 under 23 World Champion Nicky Edgyed was fighting hard alongside ACT’s Natalie Wood and Danielle Stephens. Danielle Stephens (wife of Matt) was second in the NT race last month and third in the 2003 Shepparton Half Ironman, and was hoping to go one better.

But it was Keat who led all day and flew home to victory in 4:26:11. Some 12 minutes back saw Nicky Edgyed finish in second in 4:39:06 and age grouper Leanne Southwell round out the top three in 4:42:17. Wood crossed in fourth and Stephens in fifth.

An exceptional result came from 2002 winner Katie Kenny who rejoined competition at Yeppoon for the first time since becoming a new mother only several months ago and placed 14th in the women’s field.

After visiting Yeppoon, The Road to Ironman Qualifying Series road show will now head to Cairns on August 29th, 2004 for round four of the series. A points system is in place for each event, which culminates with a series winner from each age category being announced at the carbo party at the Snap Ironman Australia triathlon in Forster. The series has been a huge success and looks set to continue to be the flagship of long course racing within Australia.

Men......
Name Total 
Nick Saunders 4:00:55 
Matt Stephens 4:06:02 
Philip Dove 4:08:15 
Kurt Mitchell 4:10:21 
Dunstan Burtschinger 4:12:21 

Women... 
Name Total 
Rebekah Keat 4:26:11 
Nicky Edgyed 4:39:06 
Leanne Southwell 4:42:17 
Natalie Wood 4:44:26 
Danielle Stephen 4:44:38