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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ironman champ thanks competitor for help

Associated Press

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii – Chrissie Wellington said the help she received from a fellow competitor on the way to her second consecutive Ironman Triathlon World Championship women’s title “epitomizes everything great about the Ironman.”

The 31-year-old triathlete from Britain had a lead of about five minutes when her tire went flat near the 90-mile mark of the 112-mile bicycle ride. Air canisters she carried didn’t work, she said, but Rebekah Keat of Australia came to the rescue.

Keat stopped, gave Wellington another canister, and the defending champion was on her way again. It cost her about 10 minutes and the lead, which she quickly regained and held throughout the marathon run.

“Without it, I wouldn’t have finished or would have finished way back with the age-groupers,” she said.

Her winning time Saturday was 9 hours, 6 minutes, 23 seconds. Yvonne Van Vlerken of Austria was second in 9:21:20.

Craig Alexander of Australia came from behind to win the men’s title in 8:17:45.