Vernay, Lester win Ironman Australia

Queensland's Carrie Lester has capped an outstanding season by winning the Ironman
Australia triathlon at her first attempt.

It was Lester's first Ironman-distance triathlon and also the first time the
29-year-old had run a marathon.
Despite her lack of experience, Lester beat 2007 winner and Hawaiian Ironman top-10
finisher Rebekah Keat in the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run event.
Lester crossed the line at the northern NSW coastal town of Port Macquarie in nine
hours 23 minutes and 50 seconds, with Keat second in 9:33:10.
New Caledonian Patrick Vernay continued his domination of Ironman triathlons in
Australia, winning the title at Port Macquarie for the fourth-straight year.
Vernay has also won Ironman WA twice.
He finished in 8:23:54 and Scottish triathlete Scott Neyedli was next in 8:27:58.
Trent Chapman, racing as an age grouper, was third in 8:32:52 and he was the
best-placed Australian.
Lester has enjoyed an outstanding few months, starting last September when she won
the 25-29 age group at the world Olympic-distance triathlon championships on the
Gold Coast.
She also won the national long-course title and was second at the Geelong 70.3 event.
Most recently, Lester was fifth at the inaugural Abu Dhabi long-course triathlon.
More than 1500 competitors started Ironman Australia, among them federal opposition
leader Tony Abbott.
He finished the swim in 1:27 and took 6:43 to complete the bike leg.
Mr Abbott should finish in around 13 hours.



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