Latest news with #IronmanCairns
The Advertiser
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Strong Like Jon' - American rallies to win Cairns tri
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. 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.
Perth Now
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
'Strong Like Jon' - American rallies to win Cairns tri
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.
The Advertiser
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
'Hurt locker' Hollioake hunts debut Cairns Ironman win
After announcing herself as a new star of Ironman triathlon, Australian Regan Hollioake is now acutely aware of what can happen when race day goes wrong. The 35-year-old from Ballarat is one of the leading favourites for Sunday's Ironman Cairns, which she is racing for the first time. Hollioake will also make her debut in October at the Hawaiian Ironman world championships - triathlon's most famous race - and has come to Cairns fresh from a three-week training camp at the Kona race site. Since turning professional last year, Hollioake has won Ironman Australia at Port Macquarie as well as the New Zealand and Malaysia Ironman races over the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon run format. Then, in late April, she raced Ironman Texas and, as Hollioake explains it, "I got a little wrapped up in the race". Hollioake made the fatal mistake of not paying attention to her race nutrition and hydration, crucial for the eight-plus hours of an Ironman. She does not remember starting the run. Her kidneys shut down and the Australian passed out 13km into the marathon. "I woke up in the medical tent," Hollioake told AAP. "Some really hard and tough lessons learned, but some really valuable lessons ... I paid the price. "The lessons you learn in Ironman are big ones - there are no easy lessons." But Hollioake recovered quickly and medical tests showed no lasting ill effects. "It was a bit confronting ... I got away with that one," she said. Now to Cairns, which is part of the Ironman Pro Series and boasting a top international field. It will be a crucial stepping stone for Hollioake ahead of Kona. The training camp was her first visit to the Big Island and she immediately understood why the Hawaiian Ironman is such a big deal. "I can see why it's really hard to get right, that race. It's such an extreme climate and the course is brutal," she said. "But I really enjoyed it. I quite like getting in the hurt locker and just staying there." Hollioake also is determined to return to top form with a big result in Cairns. "I'm really, really excited for this race. I've never been in better condition in terms of physically, but also emotionally ... I'm really confident in the fact that I've done everything I can," she said. "You definitely need to have your head in the game for the race at hand. But in the back of your mind, there's always Kona being the big goal," she said. "We're all business for Cairns on Sunday. "I don't know what I'm capable of, but I keep surprising myself." New Zealander Hannah Berry will defend her title and Australian Kylie Simpson is a two-time Cairns champion, while Queensland-based Dutch star Lotte Wilms and American Jackie Hering are other prominent names. The men's race will feature three-time winner Braden Currie from New Zealand, rising Australian star Nick Thompson and American long-distance gun Matthew Marquardt. After announcing herself as a new star of Ironman triathlon, Australian Regan Hollioake is now acutely aware of what can happen when race day goes wrong. The 35-year-old from Ballarat is one of the leading favourites for Sunday's Ironman Cairns, which she is racing for the first time. Hollioake will also make her debut in October at the Hawaiian Ironman world championships - triathlon's most famous race - and has come to Cairns fresh from a three-week training camp at the Kona race site. Since turning professional last year, Hollioake has won Ironman Australia at Port Macquarie as well as the New Zealand and Malaysia Ironman races over the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon run format. Then, in late April, she raced Ironman Texas and, as Hollioake explains it, "I got a little wrapped up in the race". Hollioake made the fatal mistake of not paying attention to her race nutrition and hydration, crucial for the eight-plus hours of an Ironman. She does not remember starting the run. Her kidneys shut down and the Australian passed out 13km into the marathon. "I woke up in the medical tent," Hollioake told AAP. "Some really hard and tough lessons learned, but some really valuable lessons ... I paid the price. "The lessons you learn in Ironman are big ones - there are no easy lessons." But Hollioake recovered quickly and medical tests showed no lasting ill effects. "It was a bit confronting ... I got away with that one," she said. Now to Cairns, which is part of the Ironman Pro Series and boasting a top international field. It will be a crucial stepping stone for Hollioake ahead of Kona. The training camp was her first visit to the Big Island and she immediately understood why the Hawaiian Ironman is such a big deal. "I can see why it's really hard to get right, that race. It's such an extreme climate and the course is brutal," she said. "But I really enjoyed it. I quite like getting in the hurt locker and just staying there." Hollioake also is determined to return to top form with a big result in Cairns. "I'm really, really excited for this race. I've never been in better condition in terms of physically, but also emotionally ... I'm really confident in the fact that I've done everything I can," she said. "You definitely need to have your head in the game for the race at hand. But in the back of your mind, there's always Kona being the big goal," she said. "We're all business for Cairns on Sunday. "I don't know what I'm capable of, but I keep surprising myself." New Zealander Hannah Berry will defend her title and Australian Kylie Simpson is a two-time Cairns champion, while Queensland-based Dutch star Lotte Wilms and American Jackie Hering are other prominent names. The men's race will feature three-time winner Braden Currie from New Zealand, rising Australian star Nick Thompson and American long-distance gun Matthew Marquardt. After announcing herself as a new star of Ironman triathlon, Australian Regan Hollioake is now acutely aware of what can happen when race day goes wrong. The 35-year-old from Ballarat is one of the leading favourites for Sunday's Ironman Cairns, which she is racing for the first time. Hollioake will also make her debut in October at the Hawaiian Ironman world championships - triathlon's most famous race - and has come to Cairns fresh from a three-week training camp at the Kona race site. Since turning professional last year, Hollioake has won Ironman Australia at Port Macquarie as well as the New Zealand and Malaysia Ironman races over the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon run format. Then, in late April, she raced Ironman Texas and, as Hollioake explains it, "I got a little wrapped up in the race". Hollioake made the fatal mistake of not paying attention to her race nutrition and hydration, crucial for the eight-plus hours of an Ironman. She does not remember starting the run. Her kidneys shut down and the Australian passed out 13km into the marathon. "I woke up in the medical tent," Hollioake told AAP. "Some really hard and tough lessons learned, but some really valuable lessons ... I paid the price. "The lessons you learn in Ironman are big ones - there are no easy lessons." But Hollioake recovered quickly and medical tests showed no lasting ill effects. "It was a bit confronting ... I got away with that one," she said. Now to Cairns, which is part of the Ironman Pro Series and boasting a top international field. It will be a crucial stepping stone for Hollioake ahead of Kona. The training camp was her first visit to the Big Island and she immediately understood why the Hawaiian Ironman is such a big deal. "I can see why it's really hard to get right, that race. It's such an extreme climate and the course is brutal," she said. "But I really enjoyed it. I quite like getting in the hurt locker and just staying there." Hollioake also is determined to return to top form with a big result in Cairns. "I'm really, really excited for this race. I've never been in better condition in terms of physically, but also emotionally ... I'm really confident in the fact that I've done everything I can," she said. "You definitely need to have your head in the game for the race at hand. But in the back of your mind, there's always Kona being the big goal," she said. "We're all business for Cairns on Sunday. "I don't know what I'm capable of, but I keep surprising myself." New Zealander Hannah Berry will defend her title and Australian Kylie Simpson is a two-time Cairns champion, while Queensland-based Dutch star Lotte Wilms and American Jackie Hering are other prominent names. The men's race will feature three-time winner Braden Currie from New Zealand, rising Australian star Nick Thompson and American long-distance gun Matthew Marquardt.
Perth Now
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
'Hurt locker' Hollioake hunts debut Cairns Ironman win
After announcing herself as a new star of Ironman triathlon, Australian Regan Hollioake is now acutely aware of what can happen when race day goes wrong. The 35-year-old from Ballarat is one of the leading favourites for Sunday's Ironman Cairns, which she is racing for the first time. Hollioake will also make her debut in October at the Hawaiian Ironman world championships - triathlon's most famous race - and has come to Cairns fresh from a three-week training camp at the Kona race site. Since turning professional last year, Hollioake has won Ironman Australia at Port Macquarie as well as the New Zealand and Malaysia Ironman races over the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km marathon run format. Then, in late April, she raced Ironman Texas and, as Hollioake explains it, "I got a little wrapped up in the race". Hollioake made the fatal mistake of not paying attention to her race nutrition and hydration, crucial for the eight-plus hours of an Ironman. She does not remember starting the run. Her kidneys shut down and the Australian passed out 13km into the marathon. "I woke up in the medical tent," Hollioake told AAP. "Some really hard and tough lessons learned, but some really valuable lessons ... I paid the price. "The lessons you learn in Ironman are big ones - there are no easy lessons." But Hollioake recovered quickly and medical tests showed no lasting ill effects. "It was a bit confronting ... I got away with that one," she said. Now to Cairns, which is part of the Ironman Pro Series and boasting a top international field. It will be a crucial stepping stone for Hollioake ahead of Kona. The training camp was her first visit to the Big Island and she immediately understood why the Hawaiian Ironman is such a big deal. "I can see why it's really hard to get right, that race. It's such an extreme climate and the course is brutal," she said. "But I really enjoyed it. I quite like getting in the hurt locker and just staying there." Hollioake also is determined to return to top form with a big result in Cairns. "I'm really, really excited for this race. I've never been in better condition in terms of physically, but also emotionally ... I'm really confident in the fact that I've done everything I can," she said. "You definitely need to have your head in the game for the race at hand. But in the back of your mind, there's always Kona being the big goal," she said. "We're all business for Cairns on Sunday. "I don't know what I'm capable of, but I keep surprising myself." New Zealander Hannah Berry will defend her title and Australian Kylie Simpson is a two-time Cairns champion, while Queensland-based Dutch star Lotte Wilms and American Jackie Hering are other prominent names. The men's race will feature three-time winner Braden Currie from New Zealand, rising Australian star Nick Thompson and American long-distance gun Matthew Marquardt.
