Germany’s Maurice Clavel emerged the victor at the IRONMAN African Championships with a winning time of seven hours, 30 minutes. It is his first victory in the ultra-distance triathlon.
Fellow German Sebastien Kienle finished second and Rasmus Svenningson from Sweden came in third. The Brit Ruth Astle was the queen of the race today winning with a time of 8 hours 38 min. Hometown favourite Kyle Buckingham came fourth after a good showing in the running leg.
A strong easterly wind whipped up a choppy Algoa Bay, forcing the hand of the organisers to halve the swimming distance to 1.9 kilometres. That same wind made for a tough bike leg resulting in a tight race. Only four minutes separated the top three at the end.
“It was very very tough you know. Lagging behind and then I saw Sebi was having a tough time and I thought to myself you know what I can win this. So I was just patient and look. I won. I am so so happy to be here,” says Male Winner Maurice Clavel.
Ruth Astle laid down the foundation for her success on the bike leg. She then maintained a good pace while running, holding off two charging South Africans.
For the first time, there were two local woman athletes on the podium.
A hard-charging Annah Watkinson came second with compatriot Jade Nicole following her.
The 2021 IRONMAN African Championship Women’s Pro Podium!
? Ruth Astle 8:38:52
? Annah Watkinson +01:52
? Jade Nicole +08:38 pic.twitter.com/aU0WsFRUPq— IRONMAN Triathlon (@IRONMANtri) November 21, 2021
