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McKenzie unbeatable at Bali triathlon
Defending champion Luke McKenzie of Australia retained his title Sunday by winning the men's category of the 3rd Bali International Triathlon in Jimbaran, Badung
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Defending champion Luke McKenzie of Australia retained his title Sunday by winning the men's category of the 3rd Bali International Triathlon in Jimbaran, Badung.
McKenzie, clocking a minute slower than his record-setting run last year, finished in 2:10:15, and said he was happy to win a second title and felt fully supported by the cheering local people throughout the race.
The race featured 357 participants from 33 countries, including Japan and Canada. They kicked off with a 1.5-kilometer swim across Jimbaran Beach, then a 40-kilometer bicycle race from Jimbaran to Nusa Dua, capped with a 10-kilometer run.
"I've come to Bali twice to join the race, in 2008 and this year, and I won them both. I'm really happy. It's my lucky place," the smiling 27-year-old McKenzie told The Jakarta Post after the race.
He added he had been confident about winning this year's event.
"I felt more in control, stronger and not too tired," he said, despite facing tougher competition from rival Fredrik Nils Croneborg of Sweden, who finished second in as many years.
As a professional triathlete, McKenzie has won two prestigious championships so far this year - the Malaysia Ironman in February, and the Japan Ironman in May. Overall, he has won more than 30 races since 1995.
McKenzie also said his participation in the Bali event was part of his preparations for the Ironman championship in Hawaii this October.
"I have a total 13 races this year," he said.
In the women's category, Australian Michelle Ann Gailey outran defending champion and compatriot Rachael Gaudry, who finished second place, with a time of 2:36:39.
In the team category, Indonesia's Discovery Kartika Plaza Team 1 - comprising Methodius Krilas Berek, Anak Agung Rai Mahendra Putra and Taufik Winahyo - came out on top in 2:18:43.
Former Olympic swimmer Richard Sambera, who recently switched his focus to the triathlon, said he was satisfied with his debut.
"I know I didn't set any pompous targets in this event, but as a start I did pretty good. I maintained my pace, despite having a bit of leg cramp in the last 3 kilometers before the finish," said the Indonesian.
He added he began his preparations for this event last November.
The race organizers plan to seek inclusion in the Indonesian Triathlon Federation and International Triathlon Union for future events.
