'Strong Like Jon' - American rallies to win Cairns tri
Marquardt recovered from an awful swim-bike transition to overhaul Thompson on the marathon to claim the title, while the rising Australian star held on for second after saying pre-race that his run form was "a bit of a mystery".
Marquardt and Jackie Hering made history on Sunday, becoming the first American winners in the event's 14-year history. Marquardt is also the first triathlete from outside Australia or New Zealand to claim the men's race.
Thompson had "Strong Like Jon" printed across the back of his race top as a tribute to long-time friend Jon Sammut, who is still regaining full use of his legs after a horrific bike crash last December at Western Australia's Busselton Ironman .
"He's always been equally as good as me," Thompson said of Sammut. "I hope he's proud of me, I think he will be.
"When he's finally allowed to have a beer at the end of the year, it will be on me. He's one of many names back home (in WA) that I'm lucky to have - I couldn't think of a better support network."
Marquardt overtook Thompson after 30km in the run to win the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon race in seven hours 50 minutes 41 seconds.
Thompson finished two minutes 49 seconds behind Marquardt and Henrik Goesch from Finland was 6:57 back in third.
Marquardt's day looked shot when he cramped badly in his legs after being among the leaders out of the water at Palm Cove, north of Cairns.
It is a problem that has happened at his last three races and the medical student thought it had been fixed.
He lost eight minutes early on the bike, before rallying, and then storming through the marathon.
"The T1 (swim-bike) was definitely really, really rough, but it's a long day and that's the beauty of an Ironman," he said.
"You can falter a lot and still come back and have a phenomenal day.
"Certainly it's a mystery. I'd love to have a little less drama."
Hering had a more straightforward day, holding off defending champion Hannah Berry from New Zealand and Australian-based Dutch triathlete Lotte Wilms for the women's title.
After having to pull out at the Ironman European championships at Hamburg a fortnight ago, Hering made a last-minute call to race at Cairns and only arrived on Wednesday.
Like Marquardt, it was Hering's first visit to Australia and she won in 8:42:15, with Berry at 3:55 and Wilms 4:48 behind the American for third.
"What I know especially about Lotte and Hanna is that they really don't quit, they're just very tough," said the 40-year-old Hering.
Penny Slater passed compatriot Regan Hollioake on the run to finish fourth and the top Australian woman.
"I came back from the dead - I retired from triathlon a few times on the bike there," Slater said.
The top-five finishers qualified for this year's Ironman world championships - the men will race in Nice and the women will compete at triathlon's spiritual home in Kona, Hawaii.
The worlds will be held on Hering's birthday and Cairns was double mission accomplished, sealing the win and her Kona berth.
"That was the main deal ... super bang for the buck," she said.
The Ironman and 70.3, or half-Ironman races were held in windy conditions, with massive crowds at the Cairns finish.
The Ironman 70.3 race featured 92-year-old Japanese finisher Hiromu Inada.
Nick Thompson stayed "Strong Like Jon" at the Ironman Cairns triathlon - only American Matthew Marquardt was even stronger.
Marquardt recovered from an awful swim-bike transition to overhaul Thompson on the marathon to claim the title, while the rising Australian star held on for second after saying pre-race that his run form was "a bit of a mystery".
Marquardt and Jackie Hering made history on Sunday, becoming the first American winners in the event's 14-year history. Marquardt is also the first triathlete from outside Australia or New Zealand to claim the men's race.
Thompson had "Strong Like Jon" printed across the back of his race top as a tribute to long-time friend Jon Sammut, who is still regaining full use of his legs after a horrific bike crash last December at Western Australia's Busselton Ironman .
"He's always been equally as good as me," Thompson said of Sammut. "I hope he's proud of me, I think he will be.
"When he's finally allowed to have a beer at the end of the year, it will be on me. He's one of many names back home (in WA) that I'm lucky to have - I couldn't think of a better support network."
Marquardt overtook Thompson after 30km in the run to win the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon race in seven hours 50 minutes 41 seconds.
Thompson finished two minutes 49 seconds behind Marquardt and Henrik Goesch from Finland was 6:57 back in third.
Marquardt's day looked shot when he cramped badly in his legs after being among the leaders out of the water at Palm Cove, north of Cairns.
It is a problem that has happened at his last three races and the medical student thought it had been fixed.
He lost eight minutes early on the bike, before rallying, and then storming through the marathon.
"The T1 (swim-bike) was definitely really, really rough, but it's a long day and that's the beauty of an Ironman," he said.
"You can falter a lot and still come back and have a phenomenal day.
"Certainly it's a mystery. I'd love to have a little less drama."
Hering had a more straightforward day, holding off defending champion Hannah Berry from New Zealand and Australian-based Dutch triathlete Lotte Wilms for the women's title.
After having to pull out at the Ironman European championships at Hamburg a fortnight ago, Hering made a last-minute call to race at Cairns and only arrived on Wednesday.
Like Marquardt, it was Hering's first visit to Australia and she won in 8:42:15, with Berry at 3:55 and Wilms 4:48 behind the American for third.
"What I know especially about Lotte and Hanna is that they really don't quit, they're just very tough," said the 40-year-old Hering.
Penny Slater passed compatriot Regan Hollioake on the run to finish fourth and the top Australian woman.
"I came back from the dead - I retired from triathlon a few times on the bike there," Slater said.
The top-five finishers qualified for this year's Ironman world championships - the men will race in Nice and the women will compete at triathlon's spiritual home in Kona, Hawaii.
The worlds will be held on Hering's birthday and Cairns was double mission accomplished, sealing the win and her Kona berth.
"That was the main deal ... super bang for the buck," she said.
The Ironman and 70.3, or half-Ironman races were held in windy conditions, with massive crowds at the Cairns finish.
The Ironman 70.3 race featured 92-year-old Japanese finisher Hiromu Inada.
Nick Thompson stayed "Strong Like Jon" at the Ironman Cairns triathlon - only American Matthew Marquardt was even stronger.
Marquardt recovered from an awful swim-bike transition to overhaul Thompson on the marathon to claim the title, while the rising Australian star held on for second after saying pre-race that his run form was "a bit of a mystery".
Marquardt and Jackie Hering made history on Sunday, becoming the first American winners in the event's 14-year history. Marquardt is also the first triathlete from outside Australia or New Zealand to claim the men's race.
Thompson had "Strong Like Jon" printed across the back of his race top as a tribute to long-time friend Jon Sammut, who is still regaining full use of his legs after a horrific bike crash last December at Western Australia's Busselton Ironman .
"He's always been equally as good as me," Thompson said of Sammut. "I hope he's proud of me, I think he will be.
"When he's finally allowed to have a beer at the end of the year, it will be on me. He's one of many names back home (in WA) that I'm lucky to have - I couldn't think of a better support network."
Marquardt overtook Thompson after 30km in the run to win the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon race in seven hours 50 minutes 41 seconds.
Thompson finished two minutes 49 seconds behind Marquardt and Henrik Goesch from Finland was 6:57 back in third.
Marquardt's day looked shot when he cramped badly in his legs after being among the leaders out of the water at Palm Cove, north of Cairns.
It is a problem that has happened at his last three races and the medical student thought it had been fixed.
He lost eight minutes early on the bike, before rallying, and then storming through the marathon.
"The T1 (swim-bike) was definitely really, really rough, but it's a long day and that's the beauty of an Ironman," he said.
"You can falter a lot and still come back and have a phenomenal day.
"Certainly it's a mystery. I'd love to have a little less drama."
Hering had a more straightforward day, holding off defending champion Hannah Berry from New Zealand and Australian-based Dutch triathlete Lotte Wilms for the women's title.
After having to pull out at the Ironman European championships at Hamburg a fortnight ago, Hering made a last-minute call to race at Cairns and only arrived on Wednesday.
Like Marquardt, it was Hering's first visit to Australia and she won in 8:42:15, with Berry at 3:55 and Wilms 4:48 behind the American for third.
"What I know especially about Lotte and Hanna is that they really don't quit, they're just very tough," said the 40-year-old Hering.
Penny Slater passed compatriot Regan Hollioake on the run to finish fourth and the top Australian woman.
"I came back from the dead - I retired from triathlon a few times on the bike there," Slater said.
The top-five finishers qualified for this year's Ironman world championships - the men will race in Nice and the women will compete at triathlon's spiritual home in Kona, Hawaii.
The worlds will be held on Hering's birthday and Cairns was double mission accomplished, sealing the win and her Kona berth.
"That was the main deal ... super bang for the buck," she said.
The Ironman and 70.3, or half-Ironman races were held in windy conditions, with massive crowds at the Cairns finish.
The Ironman 70.3 race featured 92-year-old Japanese finisher Hiromu Inada.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
AU Financial Review
3 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
How Westpac hit CBA for six in Cricket Australia sponsor deal
It was a devastating fast ball, delivered by Westpac chief executive Anthony Miller, that took out his rival Commonwealth Bank boss Matt Comyn's middle stump. Westpac, the oldest of the nation's largest banks, is now officially the flagship sponsor of Australian cricket, ending a 37-year innings by CBA in that role. The loss of the cricket sponsorship is understood to have left Comyn fuming, and means that Westpac, under the leadership of Miller, now not only sponsors the cricket but also rugby league.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Cheers at last for Olympians who defied Moscow boycott
Death threats, spittle and bribes followed Peter Hadfield after he chose to represent Australia at the Moscow Olympics. The decathlon competitor was one of 121 members of Australia's Olympic team who defied calls to boycott the 1980 Games despite immense public pressure following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Mr Hadfield had previously won the Australian championship in 1976 but was not selected for that year's Olympics in Montreal. "When the boycott was called in 1980, it looked like I was going to miss out on my second Olympics in a row," he told AAP. "I was offered a bribe of almost my entire yearly salary not to go. "There was death threats, we were called 'traitors' in the media, family members were spat on." Michelle Ford was just 17 when she won one of Australia's two gold medals at the Moscow Olympics. "We were told to sneak out of the country in case of threats on our team, on our lives - it's quite hard for a teenager to take that," the former swimmer told AAP. "I wasn't even voting age." But on Wednesday, almost 50 years after the games, the once-reviled Olympic team was recognised by the prime minister. While this has brought some relief and vindication, for many it does not erase the past. The boycott was the largest in Olympic history, with just 80 countries competing in the games after they were snubbed by 45. Though many countries, including the United States, Japan and West Germany took part in a full boycott, Australia opted to support the action but allowed athletes to make the final call over whether they would participate. Yet many of the young sports stars felt they had been forced to cop the backlash from Australia's protest, while Malcolm Fraser's Liberal government continued to trade with the Soviet Union. After most Olympic Games, Australia has celebrated its triumphs and welcomed its athletes with open arms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged their participation and their pain. "When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you," he told parliament. "Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. "Today, we fix that... you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation." While Mr Albanese's address was met with emotion, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley struck a different chord. Though she acknowledged the athletes in the chamber and said they should not have been subject to personal attacks, she also gave credit to those who abided by the boycott including sprinter Raelene Boyle and swimmer Tracey Wickham. "For many Afghan Australians who immigrated here and are now part of our Australian family ... this boycott mattered," she told the House of Representatives. "The decision made by prime minister Malcolm Fraser to support the US-led boycott was the right one - and history has judged it so. "That decision - correct as it was - takes nothing away from the Australians who did compete." The Olympians sitting in the public gallery appeared unimpressed, with some gasping during parts of the address. None applauded at its conclusion. Ron McKeon, the father of retired swimming superstar and Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon, was also one of the 1980 competitors. He and his family used the opportunity to celebrate his achievements as the source of inspiration for their own Olympic journeys. "Dad coached me growing up but never really spoke much about his Olympic experiences," Ms McKeon told AAP. "I couldn't imagine going through that - not having the ongoing support of the country - it would have been a huge struggle. "I'm so proud of him." Death threats, spittle and bribes followed Peter Hadfield after he chose to represent Australia at the Moscow Olympics. The decathlon competitor was one of 121 members of Australia's Olympic team who defied calls to boycott the 1980 Games despite immense public pressure following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Mr Hadfield had previously won the Australian championship in 1976 but was not selected for that year's Olympics in Montreal. "When the boycott was called in 1980, it looked like I was going to miss out on my second Olympics in a row," he told AAP. "I was offered a bribe of almost my entire yearly salary not to go. "There was death threats, we were called 'traitors' in the media, family members were spat on." Michelle Ford was just 17 when she won one of Australia's two gold medals at the Moscow Olympics. "We were told to sneak out of the country in case of threats on our team, on our lives - it's quite hard for a teenager to take that," the former swimmer told AAP. "I wasn't even voting age." But on Wednesday, almost 50 years after the games, the once-reviled Olympic team was recognised by the prime minister. While this has brought some relief and vindication, for many it does not erase the past. The boycott was the largest in Olympic history, with just 80 countries competing in the games after they were snubbed by 45. Though many countries, including the United States, Japan and West Germany took part in a full boycott, Australia opted to support the action but allowed athletes to make the final call over whether they would participate. Yet many of the young sports stars felt they had been forced to cop the backlash from Australia's protest, while Malcolm Fraser's Liberal government continued to trade with the Soviet Union. After most Olympic Games, Australia has celebrated its triumphs and welcomed its athletes with open arms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged their participation and their pain. "When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you," he told parliament. "Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. "Today, we fix that... you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation." While Mr Albanese's address was met with emotion, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley struck a different chord. Though she acknowledged the athletes in the chamber and said they should not have been subject to personal attacks, she also gave credit to those who abided by the boycott including sprinter Raelene Boyle and swimmer Tracey Wickham. "For many Afghan Australians who immigrated here and are now part of our Australian family ... this boycott mattered," she told the House of Representatives. "The decision made by prime minister Malcolm Fraser to support the US-led boycott was the right one - and history has judged it so. "That decision - correct as it was - takes nothing away from the Australians who did compete." The Olympians sitting in the public gallery appeared unimpressed, with some gasping during parts of the address. None applauded at its conclusion. Ron McKeon, the father of retired swimming superstar and Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon, was also one of the 1980 competitors. He and his family used the opportunity to celebrate his achievements as the source of inspiration for their own Olympic journeys. "Dad coached me growing up but never really spoke much about his Olympic experiences," Ms McKeon told AAP. "I couldn't imagine going through that - not having the ongoing support of the country - it would have been a huge struggle. "I'm so proud of him." Death threats, spittle and bribes followed Peter Hadfield after he chose to represent Australia at the Moscow Olympics. The decathlon competitor was one of 121 members of Australia's Olympic team who defied calls to boycott the 1980 Games despite immense public pressure following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Mr Hadfield had previously won the Australian championship in 1976 but was not selected for that year's Olympics in Montreal. "When the boycott was called in 1980, it looked like I was going to miss out on my second Olympics in a row," he told AAP. "I was offered a bribe of almost my entire yearly salary not to go. "There was death threats, we were called 'traitors' in the media, family members were spat on." Michelle Ford was just 17 when she won one of Australia's two gold medals at the Moscow Olympics. "We were told to sneak out of the country in case of threats on our team, on our lives - it's quite hard for a teenager to take that," the former swimmer told AAP. "I wasn't even voting age." But on Wednesday, almost 50 years after the games, the once-reviled Olympic team was recognised by the prime minister. While this has brought some relief and vindication, for many it does not erase the past. The boycott was the largest in Olympic history, with just 80 countries competing in the games after they were snubbed by 45. Though many countries, including the United States, Japan and West Germany took part in a full boycott, Australia opted to support the action but allowed athletes to make the final call over whether they would participate. Yet many of the young sports stars felt they had been forced to cop the backlash from Australia's protest, while Malcolm Fraser's Liberal government continued to trade with the Soviet Union. After most Olympic Games, Australia has celebrated its triumphs and welcomed its athletes with open arms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged their participation and their pain. "When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you," he told parliament. "Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. "Today, we fix that... you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation." While Mr Albanese's address was met with emotion, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley struck a different chord. Though she acknowledged the athletes in the chamber and said they should not have been subject to personal attacks, she also gave credit to those who abided by the boycott including sprinter Raelene Boyle and swimmer Tracey Wickham. "For many Afghan Australians who immigrated here and are now part of our Australian family ... this boycott mattered," she told the House of Representatives. "The decision made by prime minister Malcolm Fraser to support the US-led boycott was the right one - and history has judged it so. "That decision - correct as it was - takes nothing away from the Australians who did compete." The Olympians sitting in the public gallery appeared unimpressed, with some gasping during parts of the address. None applauded at its conclusion. Ron McKeon, the father of retired swimming superstar and Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon, was also one of the 1980 competitors. He and his family used the opportunity to celebrate his achievements as the source of inspiration for their own Olympic journeys. "Dad coached me growing up but never really spoke much about his Olympic experiences," Ms McKeon told AAP. "I couldn't imagine going through that - not having the ongoing support of the country - it would have been a huge struggle. "I'm so proud of him." Death threats, spittle and bribes followed Peter Hadfield after he chose to represent Australia at the Moscow Olympics. The decathlon competitor was one of 121 members of Australia's Olympic team who defied calls to boycott the 1980 Games despite immense public pressure following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. Mr Hadfield had previously won the Australian championship in 1976 but was not selected for that year's Olympics in Montreal. "When the boycott was called in 1980, it looked like I was going to miss out on my second Olympics in a row," he told AAP. "I was offered a bribe of almost my entire yearly salary not to go. "There was death threats, we were called 'traitors' in the media, family members were spat on." Michelle Ford was just 17 when she won one of Australia's two gold medals at the Moscow Olympics. "We were told to sneak out of the country in case of threats on our team, on our lives - it's quite hard for a teenager to take that," the former swimmer told AAP. "I wasn't even voting age." But on Wednesday, almost 50 years after the games, the once-reviled Olympic team was recognised by the prime minister. While this has brought some relief and vindication, for many it does not erase the past. The boycott was the largest in Olympic history, with just 80 countries competing in the games after they were snubbed by 45. Though many countries, including the United States, Japan and West Germany took part in a full boycott, Australia opted to support the action but allowed athletes to make the final call over whether they would participate. Yet many of the young sports stars felt they had been forced to cop the backlash from Australia's protest, while Malcolm Fraser's Liberal government continued to trade with the Soviet Union. After most Olympic Games, Australia has celebrated its triumphs and welcomed its athletes with open arms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday acknowledged their participation and their pain. "When you choose to wear the green and gold, you should draw strength from knowing that the whole nation is with you," he told parliament. "Yet the returning athletes were met only by cold silence or cruel comments. "Today, we fix that... you have earned your place in the history of the game and our nation." While Mr Albanese's address was met with emotion, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley struck a different chord. Though she acknowledged the athletes in the chamber and said they should not have been subject to personal attacks, she also gave credit to those who abided by the boycott including sprinter Raelene Boyle and swimmer Tracey Wickham. "For many Afghan Australians who immigrated here and are now part of our Australian family ... this boycott mattered," she told the House of Representatives. "The decision made by prime minister Malcolm Fraser to support the US-led boycott was the right one - and history has judged it so. "That decision - correct as it was - takes nothing away from the Australians who did compete." The Olympians sitting in the public gallery appeared unimpressed, with some gasping during parts of the address. None applauded at its conclusion. Ron McKeon, the father of retired swimming superstar and Australia's most decorated Olympian Emma McKeon, was also one of the 1980 competitors. He and his family used the opportunity to celebrate his achievements as the source of inspiration for their own Olympic journeys. "Dad coached me growing up but never really spoke much about his Olympic experiences," Ms McKeon told AAP. "I couldn't imagine going through that - not having the ongoing support of the country - it would have been a huge struggle. "I'm so proud of him."
Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Unveiled: Every young gun invited to this year's AFL draft combine
Almost half of this year's AFL draft combine invitees are from Victoria, headlined by potential top-10 picks Willem Duursma, Cooper Duff-Tytler, Harry Dean, Josh Lindsay and Oliver Greeves. The league has handpicked 64 prospects from across the country – including 19 from Victoria Metro's national under-18 championships squad, and nine Victoria Country representatives – to attend the combine in Melbourne from October 3 to 5. Gippsland Power midfielder Duursma is the latest AFL/W prospect from his family, behind siblings Xavier (Essendon), Yasmin (Carlton) and Zane (North Melbourne), and is a genuine contender to be the No.1 pick. Dean is the son of dual Carlton premiership player Peter and eligible to join the Blues as a father-son selection. Like his father, the 17-year-old is a key defender and his strong championships form means Carlton will almost certainly have to match an early bid for him. The early favourite to be this year's No.1 selection is classy Gold Coast academy product Zeke Uwland, brother of current Sun Bodhi. Uwland, who is likened to Sydney star Errol Gulden, missed this year's championships recovering from a back stress fracture, but was an under-18 All-Australian in 2024 and made his return in the VFL last weekend. Another Gold Coast academy prospect, speedster Dylan Patterson, is also headed to the combine and a potential top-five selection, so the Suns are poised to add two more top-line teenagers to their emerging list. After securing father-son pair Will and Levi Ashcroft in recent years, the Brisbane Lions are set to add another blue-chip midfielder, Daniel Annable, who finished equal-second with Victoria Metro's Greeves behind South Australian onballer Dyson Sharp for the Larke Medal at the championships.
