Haikou 21 April 2008 - Olaf Sabatschus and Belinda Granger were crowned champions of the inaugural Ironman China as experienced triathletes hailed Ironman China tougher than Hawaii, and possibly the toughest in the Ironman series. Sabatschus, who finished in 8:52:14 was the only athlete to complete the race in under 9 hours. Belinda Granger, winner of the women’s race said Ironman China was the most challenging in her 10 years of professional racing. Granger’s finish time of 10:08:37 was almost 30 minutes slower than her recent win at Ironman Malaysia, yet still a half hour ahead of her nearest rival.

Sabatschus, a two times Ironman Brazil champ has had a tough couple of years after his battle with cancer. His win at Ironman China shows that the 36 year old is in fine form with a sterling performance on the run course where many faded. Taking the lead from Hawaii’s Tim Marr 8km into the run Sabatchus appeared unfazed by the heat, maintaining a steady pace and by the 16km marker had created an 8 minute advantage that he only extended as the race went on. Park Byung Hoon pulled off an incredible final push, picking up the pace to steal second place with less than 500m to the finish line.

In the women’s race Germany’s Ute Mueckel was the dominant face in the first phase of the race, with the strongest swim and a good lead on the bike leg for the majority of the first loop. Granger held tight in a comfortable second spot before upping her gear and by the end of the bike had taken the lead, and given her recent performances it seemed that it would take some force majeur to take her away from pole position in the race. Jo King, Donna Phelan and Abi Bailey had strong bike legs but final positions boiled down to being able to handle the heat on the run. Abi Bailey’s recent successes in Australia seemed to give her the confidence needed to push forwards as King and Mueckel dropped back, and Donna Phelan worked hard for the second spot, finishing just one minute ahead of Bailey.

The bike loop was definitely a big hit with all racers and the highlight of the day. The fast riding of wide open riding on freshly laid tarmac highways contrasted sharply with a couple of narrow short climbs through traditional market villages, where the road was just a couple of metres wide in some short sections. The atmosphere along sections of the course was uniquely China: along the rice field lined highways clusters of families sat under the shade of umbrellas to cheer on the athletes as the temperature climbed into the mid 30s. Hundreds of locals lined the streets in Shi Shan village with flags and signs welcoming the athletes.

In an historic first, the second of the double-billed Ironman China races kicked off just two hours after the full Ironman. The non-pro 70.3 race was led by Australia's Steven Waite and hussled by Shanghai based Swede Fredrik Cronenberg. Waite clung onto his lead having set up a good break on the bike and was crowned champion of the men's CLSA Ironman 70.3 China, presented by K-Swiss, in 4:29:06 just one minute before Cronenberg crossed the line.

With many of the strong international contingent hungry for a Kona slot the finish line was an emotional area and the 50 slots for the Ford Ironman World Championships, and the 25 for Clearwater will possibly be the hardest earned this season.

Ironman China Results
Men
1.Olaf Sabatschus (GER) 8:52:14
2.Byung Hoon Park (KOR) 9:13:15
3.Timothy K. Marr (USA) 9:14:17

Women
1.Belinda Granger (AUS) 10:08:37
2.Donna Phelan (CAN) 10:37:11
3.Abigail Bayley (GBR) 10:43:11




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