Ironman USA Lake Placid 2008 men’s results
July 20th, 2008 by nikola
Top 10 men results
1 ) Francisco Pontano 8:43:42
2 ) Petr Vabrousek 8:55:20
3 ) Mathias Hecht 8:56:33
4 ) Christian Brader 8:58:10
5 ) Will Ronco 9:02:32
6 ) Paul Fritzsche 9:06:17
7 ) Dave Harju 9:11:58
8 ) Alex Mcdonald 9:13:04
9 ) Patrick Evoe 9:14:18
10 ) Tim Snow 9:18:38
IronCrazy.com authors results
12 ) Aleksandar Sørensen-Marković 9:27:07
33 ) Jovica Ivetić 9:54:21
Every winner of Ironman is amazing, so Francisco Pontano has had a great victory in the style of the greats. I was impressed by his all-in-front dominance just as Raynard Tissink and Marino Vanhoenacker impress me. One has to be trully powerful to lead the race such a long time and never look back. Jus go forward, alone. Bravo!
Second place is again a superb success - Petr Vabrousek finally pulled out an amazing podium place with only a week “rest” from his last race - Ironman Zurich. I wonder what would Petr be capable of if he would rest or even train a bit more. So many races do not allow him any training. I think his next race is ITU Long Distance Champs in Almere, Holland, just few weeks from today. Good luck!
Björn Andersson again pulled a great bike and disapeared on the run. I hope one day he can race more seriously. If only he would ride 5-10mins slower and maybe get a bit leaner he would be such a force. This way he is no better than guys who swim fastest and than we never hear of them again. This style obviously works for his marketing as the audience loves a fast biker and Björn is the king of the “fast bike-bad run” bunch, but if even I can beat him than he is not much of an Ironman until he can consistently place well. I think his talent is wasted with these tactics, he could be so much greater.
Aleksandar Sørensen-Marković had a great swim, a good bike and than he had what I know is for him a very bad run. We spoke a lot coming to this race, chearing each other: he was hoping I do as close to nine hours as possible and I hope he would finally place close to top five. Unfortunatelly it did not work for both of us. But it is silly to be disapointed over being in 12th position in such a hard and competitive race and for me to do my PB. So I think, after all, Aleksandar did well even though it is not perfect. He gave it all his got as he crashed at the finish line and that is what matters. I wonder if he will get a Hawaii slot as 12th PRO.
I met Jovica Ivetić last year in Belgrade. He used to be a top level rower, now is a banker and does Ironman for fun, to stay active. He did 9:54:21 and placed 33rd! Amazing! And with a horrible swim and so and so run. I think he works without a coach - I hope for next season he uses a good coach and that swim and run should match the bike and hopefully he turns PRO. I hope he gets a Hawaii slot with his 6th position in his age group.
I am sorry that Massimo Cigana pulled out. He also pulled out of Ironman Austria race last weekend. Note to Ironman comentators: Cigana is pronounced Tchigana with a soft Tch like Ciao. Not Tsigana.
I will publish women’s results later, when at least ten women finish. I noticed a lot of women, and some men, rode with their stomachs uncovered. I think this was a big mistake in the rain and could cause problems in the second part of the run if not sooner. This is especially a problem for the leaner athletes, like sub 7% body fat. Frank Shorter, famous marathon runner, always had issues with colder races due to his leaness. But I think it goes for anyone that for 5+ hours on a rainy bike one should cover the stomach, back and the shoulders or much energy is wasted on heating, and this energy is needed for the later portions of the race. Sooner or later this mistake will cost you. Keep warm on the bike.
Second problem with rainy races is related to compression socks. I have seen so many of them in Ironman Austria and it was also raining heavily (Lake Placid, Zurich and Austria have been very wet this year). I think that these socks can end up absorbing water and therefore creating aditional weight. I have never tried them but make sure you test against this option and be prepared to take them of if it rains. Let me know if anyone had this experience.
All in all a very hard race, lots of new faces in top 10, and many people improved. The sport is getting more and more serious and competitive which is great.
