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The Bahrain Endurance 13 team is back in action with six of its athletes racing on three continents – North America, Europe, and Africa.
Ironman 70.3 Oceanside has always kicked off the North American racing season, attracting stacked fields from around the globe. Alistair Brownlee started with 59 other male competitors including two former race winners. This was Brownlee’s first race back since June 2021 after he took time off for ankle surgery and rehabilitation post his Tokyo Olympics qualification attempt. Brownlee placed fourth after pushing the pace in front on the bike and leading through most of the half marathon.
Previous Oceanside champions Holly Lawrence and Daniela Ryf also faced two other former champions in the 40-deep women’s field.
Lawrence came away with third place, a great result considering the ankle sprain she has been managing. “Honestly wasn’t sure what to expect coming into this one feeling very rusty and not ready for the main season of racing yet, but happy with a solid third rounding out the podium amongst a stacked field and the fastest run I’ve ever done in a 70.3 off the back of long tempo runs and no speed work yet,” she said. “Lots of room for improvement for the rest of the season.”
Ryf finished 10th. “Hard to hide a bad day in such a strong field… Onwards and upwards,” Ryf said. “Five more weeks until the Ironman World Championships in St George.”
Joe Skipper kicked off his year in the Bahrain racing red at the Ironman South African Championship earlier in the week. Having qualified for both Ironman World Championship races this year, he is looking to add yet another full distance win to the seven he already has under his belt.
Skipper placed fourth in South Africa – the full distance triathlon was modified with a shortened 700-metre swim due to cold weather and choppy conditions. A dropped chain on the bike when he took the lead did him no favours, but he did his best to hang on and finish strong on the marathon.
Meanwhile, Cassandre Beaugrand kicked off her racing with a title defence at the Europe Triathlon Cup and Mediterranean Championships Melilla. The format was changed into a duathlon with a 2km run replacing the swim, and that was easily tackled with running being Beaugrand’s strongest discipline. After working the bike leg with French compatriot Leonie Periault, Beaugrand again put her long strides to good use on the second run to clinch the win.
