The Ironman World Championship race in Kona, Hawaii, is usually a thrill to watch, and this year certainly delivered. The wind was particularly violent this year, making for a tough day for everyone but the strong cyclists. Perhaps that’s why Germany’s “uber cyclist” Sebastian Kienle caught up to the leaders halfway through the bike before motoring away to get to T1 first. He then ran a 2:54 marathon for his first IM Kona win, beating second place by nearly eight minutes. But perhaps the more exciting race came from the women. Mirinda Carfrae (who sported double SaltStick dispensers on her bike) ran from a 14:30 deficit to pass much of the women’s field and earn her third Kona win by just two minutes. Both winning performances were incredible, and Triathlete Magazine called them “Some of the Biggest Comebacks in History.”
We traveled to Kona as well to support athletes and retailers and to watch the race. If you follow us on social media, you probably saw our photos. Top pros, including Luke McKenzie and Craig Alexander sported SaltStick dispensers on their bikes. Of course, there were more than just pros who used SaltStick, and we spotted dispensers attached to many bikes at athlete check-in. It was also neat to see SaltStick Caps as the go-to product by some athletes at the Pro Fluid Stations on the run course. Thanks to local bike stores Bike Works Kona Hawaii, Cycle Station Hawaii, Race Day Wheels, and Big Island Running Company for offering SaltStick to the triathletes! Also thanks to Lance and Paul and their team of coaches at Lifesport Coaching for their support and keen interest in the products, and a home for the SaltStick flag on Alii Dr.
For a full race recap, check out Triathlete Magazine’s post-race coverage here.
Here is a list of the pro results who likely used SaltStick products…and you can be sure others did as well!
|
Name
|
Country
|
Place
|
Time
|
|
|
Jan
|
Frodeno
|
DEU
|
3
|
8:20:32
|
|
Andy
|
Potts
|
USA
|
4
|
8:21:38
|
|
Bart
|
Aernouts
|
BEL
|
9
|
8:28:28
|
|
Romain
|
Guillaume
|
FRA
|
10
|
8:30:15
|
|
Ronnie
|
Schildknecht
|
CHE
|
12
|
8:33:35
|
|
Craig
|
Alexander
|
AUS
|
13
|
8:36:25
|
|
Paul
|
Matthews
|
AUS
|
14
|
8:37:17
|
|
Luke
|
Mckenzie
|
AUS
|
15
|
8:38:12
|
|
Ivan
|
Rana
|
ESP
|
17
|
8:38:59
|
|
Marko
|
Albert
|
EST
|
19
|
8:40:02
|
|
Timothy
|
Odonnell
|
USA
|
32
|
9:35:13
|
|
Marino
|
Vanhoenacker
|
BEL
|
34
|
9:55:19
|
|
Name
|
Country
|
Place
|
Time
|
|
|
Mirinda
|
Carfrae
|
AUS
|
1
|
9:00:55
|
|
Rachel
|
Joyce
|
GBR
|
3
|
9:04:23
|
|
Liz
|
Blatchford
|
AUS
|
10
|
9:23:34
|
|
Heather
|
Wurtele
|
CAN
|
15
|
9:34:18
|
|
Leanda
|
Cave
|
GBR
|
18
|
9:36:23
|
|
Amanda
|
Stevens
|
USA
|
23
|
9:49:40
|