Posted: April 10, 2006

Triathlon: 2006 Ford Ironman Arizona won by Jones

By Helen Manning

Tempe, AZ – Michellie Jones finished her third Ironman race today at the 2006 Ford Ironman Arizona and with it posted her second victory, she finished second in the third race. Her time of 9:11:11 put her almost twenty minutes ahead of second place Heather Gollnick. Hillary Biscay finished nine minutes behind Gollnick for third place in the women’s race.

Jones raced most of the bike and run portion of the Ford Ironman Arizona on her own and commented that in each of her Ironman races to date she’d been on her own for much of the day. The 34-year-old resident of Carlsbad, CA has enjoyed a strong start to the 2006 season, in addition to today’s win, she placed 2nd at the Ford Ironman 70.3 California held last month.

Gollnick came into the race feeling that her training in Florida, where she and her family now live, might give her an advantage in the Arizona heat. It would seem that may be correct as she finished strong, not appearing to suffer from the affects of a very warm day in Tempe.

Biscay was first out of the water, losing first to Jones fairly early in the bike but remaining strong enough to hold off fourth place Desiree Ficker on the run.

Ford Ironman Arizona was held today for the 2nd time in Tempe, Arizona. Athletes are eligible for 80 qualifying spots to the 2006 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii as well as a $75,000. pro prize purse. For more information, log onto www.ironmanarizona.com

Top 25 Women Overall

1.	MICHELLIE JONES (Australia) 9:12:53
2.	HEATHER GOLLNICK (Hartford, WI) 9:33:25
3.	HILLARY BISCAY (Manhattan, CA) 9:43:36
4.	DESIREE FICKER (Boulder, CO)9:44:56
5.	JESS DRASKAU-PETERSSON (British Isles) 9:48:34
6.	TEREZA MACEL  (Czech Republic) 9:50:37
7.	MIRANDA STACEY (New Zealand) 10:08:09
8.	UTE MUECKEL (Germany) 10:12:50
9.	TRACEY ROBERTSON (Ladera Ran, CA) 10:16:06
10.	CATHERINE LEE (Chanhassen, MN)  10:27:53
11.	STEPHANIE JONES (Yuma, AZ) 10:28:46
12.	MARIE DANAIS (Canada) 10:36.53
13.	LISA DESIDERA (Italy) 10:33:14
14.	SARAH MCMILLAN (Vancouver, WA) 10:36:14
15.	SHARON PATRICK (Hermosa Beach, CA) 10:37:35
16.	NICOLE NEWTON, (San Diego, CA) 1037:59
17.	LAURA TINGLE (Lousville, CO) 10:40:14
18.	ANGIE DEFILIPPI (South Burlington) 10:42:40
19.	JODI RUBY,(La Verne, CA) 10:43:25
20.	IRENE KINNEGIM (The Hague, Nthld) 10:45:33
21.	JOAN HELLMAN (Scottsdale, AZ) 10:45:48
22.	CLAIRE O’BRIEN (San Diego, CA) 10:53:23
23.	KATIE ELLIS (Phoenix, AZ) 10:54:09
24.	LORI TRAVIS (Palm Springs, CA) 10:56:06
25.	TERI ALBERTAZZI (Tucson, AZ) 11:05:12

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