Posted: October 31, 2004

Triathlon: Shortis wins second Half Ironman this month, Fein dominates womens race

Round Seven, Ironman Australia Qualifying Series
Forster Half Ironman, Forster-Tuncurry, NSW - Sunday October 31, 2004

For the second year in succession, the coastal town of Forster, NSW turned on a perfect day for the running of the ninth Forster Half Ironman.

Exiting the 1.9km swim in eleventh place it wouldnt take long for race favourite Jason Shortis to catch and pass his main rivals on the bike leg, including early swim leader Ben Harley. Nick Saunders was expected to be Shortis toughest opponent and started the day well, heading onto the bike course 35 seconds ahead of Shortis. However, Shortis strength on the bike would see him gain an advantage and head into the bike-to-run transition with a three-minute lead.

"I was pleased with my form on the bike today as I have been training hard for Ironman WA next month. My legs felt good," said Shortis after the race.

Once onto the run Shortis, who started off conservatively, extended his lead over Saunders who was now clearly in second place. Last years runner-up, Harley started the run with Saunders but was unable to hold onto the pace, eventually fading to sixth place. When Shortis reached the finish line his lead over Saunders was 3:11 giving him his second Half Ironman victory this month, having already won the Gold Coast Half Ironman four weeks earlier. Saunders held onto second while Aaron Farlow of Queanbeyan, ACT would take third spot in a time of 4:02:05. Chris Dmitieff, racing in the 25-29 age group was fourth with Leigh Birch finishing fifth.

In the womens race Sarah Fein would dominate the event winning in a time that was eight minutes faster than her closest competitor. Exiting the water behind newcomer Charlotte Paul, Fein would speed to the front of the field, producing the second fastest bike ride of the day. The fastest bike time would eventually go to age-group athlete Melanie Rassam who started in a different wave to the professional field, however her finishing time would be good enough to place second overall.

Paul, who finished second at Ironman Korea recently, ran her way into third position after a slow bike ride put her behind former Forster Half Ironman winner Angela Milne. Milne, returning to racing after recently becoming a mother, would finish in fifth place on time adjustments, behind fourth place finisher and 30-34 age group athlete Vickie Voyzey.

A record field of 978 athletes started at 6:30am in the waters of Forster Keys attempting to gain one of the elusive 200 qualifying spots available for the Snap Ironman Australia triathlon held in Forster on April 3, 2005.

Results: Forster Half Ironman, October 31, 2004
Men
Name Swim Bike Run Total
1. Jason Shortis 26:56 2:14:44 1:15:43 3:57:15
2. Nick Saunders 26:29 2:17:52 1:16:05 4:00:26
3. Aaron Farlow 26:18 2:18:09 1:17:37 4:02:05
4. Chris Dmitieff 26:26 2:17:56 1:18:28 4:02:51
5. Leigh Birch 26:23 2:18:05 1:23:08 4:07:36

Women
Name Swim Bike Run Total
1. Sarah Fein 29:13 2:32:03 1:31:34 4:32:51
2. Melanie Rassam 34:24 2:30:33 1:36:02 4:40:59
3. Charlotte Paul 28:42 2:42:36 1:30:04 4:41:22
4. Vickie Voyzey 30:10 2:40:07 1:34:02 4:44:19
5. Angela Milne 29:57 2:39:29 1:36:59 4:46:17