Former world champion wins Ironman New Zealand, two Dutch triathletes claim silver and World Cup slot – 3athlon.be

American Chelsea Sodaro, the 2022 Ironman world champion, won Ironman New Zealand on Saturday morning, Belgium time, her first Ironman win since her win in Kona in October 2022. Sotaro has been living and training for a while, and had been in the previous weeks. Already working hard. In Taupo he defeated Dutch Else Visser, who won silver and a place in the World Cup in Nice. The Netherlands also finished second in the men's category. Young Niek Heldorn, who has raced for Marc Herremans' Wuustwezelse 185 team for many years, finished second and qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Kona.

Els Visser runs to 2nd place

Chelsea Sodaro emerges from the water after a 2.4 mile swim with Jocelyn McCauley, Barbara Riveros, Meredith Kessler and Regan Holyoke. In the cycling, Else Visser, who lost 5 minutes to the leaders in the swim, moved increasingly to the front. Macaulay was first to make the transition, 2'30 ahead of Sodaro. Sodaro was the fastest in the marathon. American wins Ironman New Zealand in 8h40'07. Els Visser was second in 8h57'34 and McCauley third in 8h58'23.

Nick Heldorn took the Hawaii spot

Among the men, Neek Heldorn immediately led the lead group after the 3.8km swim. Mike Phillips took the lead in the 180km cycle race. He came into T2 with a 2 minute lead over Nick Heldorn and Steven McKenna. The Australian quickly took the lead in the marathon, but with around 30km to go, Nick Heldorn came back strongly. The Dutchman took the lead from McKenna. Australia still had one gear left in the final stages. Steven McKenna, who won last year's Ironman Melbourne, took his 2nd Ironman win in 8h01'13. Heldorn was second in 8h03'46 and Ben Hamilton was third in 8h08'13 after passing Phillips in the closing stages.

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Belgian triathlete placed 2nd in age category

We got a strong performance from Jimmy Jacobs in the age groups. The Belgian triathlete finished 8th overall in 9h27'27, which earned him second place in the M40 category, which certainly qualifies him for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii in October 2024.