The Ironman of Ironmen?

As we all argue over the optimal recovery period for our Ironman racing, Petr Vabrousek is probably deciding what his monthly race calendar is going to be in 2011. The recently voted Czech republic (for the 12th consecutive year 1999-2010), Ironman of the Year knocked out 11 Ironman distance events in 2010, which by his standard is slacking based on 13 in 2009, 14 in 2008 and 2007.

Oh and he doesn't muck around in terms of times either, of the 95 (yes 95) total Ironman distance events he has raced, he has finished in the top 10 a remarkable 80 times. (thats broken up as follows: 57 times in WTC Ironman events, 5 times at challende races, 10 times at Czech and Slovak Nationals, 5 x at ITU or ETU Ironman distance events, 2 times at Almere, and 1 time at Silverman). How does that rank on the top 10 list of top tens, funny you should ask: check this out. (Petr is waiting for his last 3 top 10's in official Ironman Events to be added to the list, but whose counting.


http://www.tri226.de/ironman-ergebnisse.php?language=ge&comp=series&ath_most=stopten_m

www.petrvabrousek.eu for more
Season greetings
blueseventy

Luke McKenzie wins at Busselton

Our mate Luke pulled out yet another great race to take the win at Busselton Half Ironman in Australia on the weekend. He finished just 15 seconds slower than the course record he set the previous year, and would have probably beaten it if he hadn't got a bit lost in T2. We reckon it was because he was preoccupied - worrying that our very own Guy Crawford might be catching him... but Guy will have to wait to fulfil his life long goal of beating Luke McKenzie... At anything.

Just like Luke, Lisa Marangon exited the water first, and had a strong bike to hold off fast finishing Kate Bevilaqua for the win.

Check out the full race report and top 10 results at slowtwitch.com

Charlotte Paul doubles her score!

Charlotte Paul won the Western Australia half ironman, just a few weeks after winning one of the hardest Ironman races in history (Ironman China). Charlotte is showing some great form leading into the northern hemisphere season. Watch this space!
She sent us her most recent race report:

"Hi all

Just checking in to let you know what's happening.

I have just returned from Busselton in Western Australia where I won the Half Ironman on Saturday. It was a big surprise for me to feel so good on the day and be able to take out the title. I had no expectations and no pressure, I was just going to see how I felt on the day. Well I felt good! I won in a personal best time of 4 hours 23 minute.

It was a really fun week with school visits, interviews, a chat with the TriWA junior elites and congratulating all the kids at the finish line of the kids triathlon. Pictures attached. Kristian also gave a presentation to TriWA members on "triathlon is not swim + bike + run".

It's now definitely time for some rest before I start my build for the Quelle-Challenge Roth.

I'm now ranked 2nd in the World, according to www.ironmanrankings.blogspot.com which ranks athletes in M dot ironman distance racing, for the 2009 season, starting with Florida 2008.
According to another website, www.triathlonranking.com, I am 10th in the World. This site ranks athletes on all long course races.(Pre-Busselton results) I finished 2008 ranked 40th, so I'm on the up! You could say I'm going through a "purple patch". I'm on a roll and I'm going with it.

Revised schedule for 2009;

May 2nd Busselton Half Ironman, Western Australia.
July 12th Quelle-Challenge Roth, Germany.
August 23rd Philippines 70.3.
October 10th Hawaii Ironman World Champs
November 1st Port Macquarie Half Ironman
December 5th Ironman Western Australia

I appreciate all of your support.

Charlotte"