Multisports: Lawn getting closer to her goal

New Zealand triathlete Jo Lawn believes she is taking small steps towards her ultimate goal of an Ironman Triathlon world championship.

The 31-year-old finished fourth and fellow Aucklander Cameron Brown second yesterday, the first time New Zealanders have finished in the top-four in both the men's and women's races at Kona-Kailua.

Lawn took advantage of a day when the legendary trade winds did not blow to produce her fastest ever Ironman, including her best bike and run splits.

She finished in nine hours 14 minutes 53 seconds, 5min behind Swiss superstar Natascha Badmann, who joined the iconic Dave Scott, Mark Allen and Paula Newby-Fraser as a six-time winner in Hawaii.

Lawn produced a 5hr 05min 06sec split for the 180km bike and a 3hr 10min 02sec marathon, both personal bests on top of a solid swim.

She was seventh out of the water and moved up to fourth off the bike although some 11 minutes behind runaway leader Michellie Jones of Australia, the two-time Olympic distance world champion.

The former Commonwealth Games cyclist chipped away at the deficit, moving into third place after 15km on the run before being pipped for the podium place by Australian Kate Major 8km from the finish.

"I had a good swim and from there it set up a good day overall," Lawn said.

"I really wanted to get a green thing around my neck though (the wreath given to the top three) so for that reason it was a bit disappointing.

"I had an amazing day on the bike. I've never had the guts to really go for it because this course and these conditions can bite you.

"I was solid right through my run. I tried to hang on to third but it was not to be. I am really pleased with my day. I am taking little mini steps towards that big step."

Brown had sought redemption following his disappointing 34th placing last year and he answered in spades with a magnificent second placing.

It was the fourth time in five years that Brown has finished on the podium in Hawaii, coming home in 8hr 19min 36sec, 5min behind winner Faris Al Sultan of Germany.

Brown was two minutes down on the leaders but alongside the main players out of the 3.8km swim and was ninth after the super-slick 180km bike, 11min down on Denmark's Torbjorn Sindballe, who set a new bike record of 4hr 21min.

Brown moved up to fifth at the 30km mark on the run and passed two-time world champion Peter Reid 2km from the finish for his runners-up spot.

"There are 20 guys out here good enough to win this. To do that you need to have that special day. I got much closer today and after this I believe I can do it," Brown said.

He believed his hard work to improve his bike strength paid off on both the bike and run, crediting the work he has done with new bike coach Brendan Cameron.

"We'd done much more precise work, it definitely helped today. I am a stronger biker and it did help me get off the bike and run well.

"I am still 10 minutes behind the top riders so I still have improvements to make but overall I am really delighted with today. It was very tough on the run but I just dug deep."

Brown had special motivation with a surprise arrival of his two sons Breeden and Joshua.

"I knew nothing about them coming. It was meant to be a surprise but I ruined it by seeing them when I set out on my final small training ride. But it was great for them to be here. It gave me a lift."

Auckland's Brent Foster was the second New Zealand man home in 35th overall, while Cantabrian Karyn Ballance enjoyed her best Kona performance, finishing 15th in 9hr 46min 36sec.

Wellington's Vicki Jones led the age group performance winning the women's 30-34 years division with a superb performance.

Jones was 23rd in her age group out of the swim but had the third best ride with a 5hr 22min 13sec effort and the fifth best run with a 3hr 32min 07sec marathon time. She won her age group by a whopping 10 minutes.

There was a special moment for Aucklander Heath Davy who completed his first Ironman world championship just 10 weeks after a clearance from melanoma cancer.

- NZPA