FIT flag flies in Auckland Ironman [1]
Saturday, January 25, 2014 - 20:00. Updated on Sunday, January 26, 2014 - 16:45.
Takeshi Igarashi and Kantaro Oishi. Auckland, 19 January 2014
The Friendly Islands Triathlon (FIT) was represented at the Auckland 7.3 Ironman, Asia-Pacific Championship at the Auckland Viaduct by Kantaro Oishi and Takeshi Igarashi on January 19.
The Championship attracted 1200 triathletes from throughout the world, including the defending champion Christian Kemp, Australia; two-time Olympic medalist Bevan Docherty and 10-times Ironman New Zealand champion Cameron Brown.
The race comprised a 1.9km swim in the Viaduct Harbour, a 90km cycle over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and a 21 km two-lap run along the Auckland waterfront.
It was the second time the event was staged in Auckland, and carried a prize purse of $90,000, as well as qualifying places for age group contestants for both the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 World Championship.
There were a professional group, gender groupings, and age groups categories. There were 13 age groups, and the oldest competitor was a 77-year-old American.
Takeshi Igarashi, the younger of the two FIT triathletes competed in the 30-34 age group. There were 81 competitors in this group, and Takeshi came in 43th place with a time of 37m 27s in swimming, 2h 32m 25s in cycling and 1h 55m 17s in running. He completed the three events in 5h 08m 19s.
Takeshi was in at 43rd among the 81 competitors in his group, and was ranked 370 over-all.
Kantaro Oishi, who competed in the 40-44 age group, finished in 82nd place among the 119 competitors in his group. His time was 37m 59s for swim 2h 50m 01s from cycling and 1h 57m 52s for running. He completed the race in 5h 31m 08s. Kantaro was ranked 540 over-all.
The winner of the race was Jan Frodeno of Germany with a time of 3h 45m 38s.
FIT is planning to send a team to a full Ironman competition in Cairns, Australia before the end of the year. Full Ironman consist of a 3kms swim, 180kms cycle and a 42kms run.