Staff Reporter Whanganui ironwoman competitor Gina Crawford was not able to claim her seventh victory in the women's race of the Challenge Wanaka event after she withdrew on the bike leg of the race on Saturday.
Weather conditions for the 10th anniversary of the challenge were rough with a choppy swim,warm nor'west headwinds on the bike and rain on the run. Defending champion Crawford was in the leading women's group exiting the water after 45 minutes, but would be one of the big withdrawals along with Alyssa Godesky (USA) and Simone Maier (Germany) on the bike.
Netherlands competitor Yvonne van Vlerken then chased after leader Anna Cleaver and took over on the bike leg, before she was passed by 2015 runnerup Laura Siddall. However, Van Vlerken lived up to her "Flying Dutchwoman" moniker as she ran Siddall down over the final leg on foot. Australian Meredith Hill was third.
The men's race was won by local Dougal Allan. Crawford will now focus on the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman in Taupo on March 5.
