Posted: June 27, 2005

Triathlon: Zyemtsev claims men’s field at the 2005 Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene

COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO—Victor Zyemtsev (Ukraine) claimed the men’s title at the third annual Ford Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene on June 26 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Zyemtsev topped a talented men’s field by setting a new course record with an overall time of eight hours, 23 minutes and 29 seconds in route to his first Ironman North America win.

Tom Soderdahl (Finland) finished second with an overall time of 8:29:38. The Finland native gained ground on the leaders during the run with an impressive run time of 2:52:09.

2003 Ford Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene champion Michael Lovato (Boulder, Colorado) rounded out the men’s top three with an overall time of 8:32:06. Lovato also finished second at the inaugural Ford Ironman Arizona in April of this year.

Matt Seeley (Polson, Mont.), who finished fourth, has been in the top four each of the past three seasons at Ford Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene. Seeley posted a time of 8:37:27, and Brent Foster (New Zealand) set a new swim record with an overall time of 45:48 and finished fifth (8:52:35).

Kirstie Kniaziew (Canada), racing in the 30-34 age group, won the women’s race with an overall time of 9:59:08. Mindy Surratt (Pacific Grove, Calif.) finished second (10:10:44), and Australian Kate Bevilaqua was third with an overall time of 10:16:40. Sheri Fraser (Canada) finished fourth with an overall time of 10:19:37, and Erica Pedron (Aurora, Colo.) finished fifth with a time of 10:24:50.

The 2005 Ford Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene served as a men’s only professional this year. The 2005 Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid triathlon will serve as a women’s only professional race.

There will be a $50,000 pro prize purse for professional men at the 2005 Ford Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene triathlon and a $50,000 women’s prize purse at the 2005 Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid triathlon.

1,760 triathletes from around the world competed in the Ford Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene. Athletes competed for 80 qualifying spots to the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, as well as a $50,000 men’s pro prize purse.

2005 Ford Ironman USA Coeur d’Alene - Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, June 24, 2005

Men’s Top 10
1. Victor Zyemtsev, Ukraine, 8:23:29
2. Tom Soderdahl, Finland, 8:29:38
3. Michael Lovato, Boulder, Colo., 8:32:06
4. Matt Seeley, Polson, Mont., 8:37:27
5. Brent Foster, New Zealand, 8:52:35
6. Kevin Cutjar, Canada, 8:52:41
7. Andy Martin, Bend, Ore., 8:54:04
8. Curt Chesney, Boulder, Colo., 8:58:18
9. Greg Krause, Denver, Colo., 9:14:03
10. Shingo Tani, Japan, 9:19:09

Women’s Top 10
1. Kirstie Kniaziew, Canada, 9:59:08
2. Mindy Surratt, Pacific Grove, Calif., 10:10:44
3. Kate Bevilaqua, Australia, 10:16:40
4. Sheri Fraser, Canada, 10:19:37
5. Erica Pedron, Aurora, Colo., 10:24:50
6. Alyson Littman, Seattle, Wash., 10:25:57
7. Heidi Grimm, Steilacoom, Wash., 10:29:00
8. Mary Beth Cadwell, Novato, Calif., 10:33:49
9. Deborah Smith, Bothell, Wash., 10:34:11
10. Jill Walker, Breckenridge, Colo., 10:37:57