Local triathletes prove unstoppable at Ironman 70.3 Weymouth

LOCAL triathletes were out in force at the Ironman 70.3 in Weymouth, with many earning podium finishes while qualifying for the world championships.

Seven triathletes who train in Lymington raced the half Ironman distance race, with Milford’s Natalie Green a shining light after finishing third.

Due to the thunderstorms, strong winds, rain and wild seas, the swim got cancelled as the athletes were heading to the beach for the start.

Therefore, the race set off with a time-trial style bike start, which, despite being a fabulous hilly course, was mostly in torrential rain and wind with poor visibility.

The run was mostly flat, two and a half laps on the waterfront, with the highlight being the thick crowd of supporters that lined up to cheer despite the conditions.

The Weymouth Ironman 70.3 serves as a qualifier for the world championship in Taupō, New Zealand, in December 2024.

One of the standout performances came from former Priestlands School student, 19-year-old Ted Ward, who finished in an impressive 17th overall and fourth in the M18-24 category in three hours and 50 minutes.

Another Priestlands pupil, Green, finished as the third-placed female and took second in the W25 category. She finished with the second fastest half marathon time with one hour and 26 minutes, finishing in 4:09:23.

Meanwhile, Valeria Sesto had the fourth fastest, in one hour 28 minutes, coming home in 4:45:45 to finish second in the W50 category.

Other local athletes included Chris Harris, who finished 35th overall and 10th M25 in 3:56:56 and 68th overall, and Will Newbery, who was the second-placed M45 in 4:06:51.

Sean Ward stormed to an incredible podium spot, crossing the line as the third M55 in 4:25:42, while Chloe Woolf came sixth in the W40 race with a time of 4:59:17.

A few hours later, the award ceremony and world championships qualification announcement took part in the Weymouth Pavilion Theatre, and a Lymington team will now head out to New Zealand at the end of 2024.

After the race, Ted Ward said: “There was no swim because of the lightning in the morning, so I went off hard on the bike leg to find the front of the race.

“Once I found it and stayed there, posting 2:17, coming first into the transition. I rode completely out of my depth, but that was my plan: just absolutely send the bike and see how much of a gap I could come off the bike with.

“However, it turned out to not be enough, and I ended up fourth. It was my best performance I’ve put out there, and I left everything out there, and I collapsed over the finish line and went straight to the med centre.”

Ted’s son Sean added: “I went off harder than usual and rode faster than expected, even in the wind and monsoon-like rain, posting 2:39, similar to Will and Nat!

“I ended up in third in my age group at the end of the race, which is my best result in any triathlon I’ve ever done.

I pushed as hard as I could, but it was bitter-sweet, winning my first podium finish but missing world qualification by one place.”

Natalie Green, who qualified for the jewel of the Ironman calendar, the world championships in Kona, Hawaii, in 2022, said: “I am super proud of this one. I finally put together a race I felt I deserved. Everything came good, and whatever I asked of them, my legs said yes!

“I posted a massive half marathon PB off a hilly bike ride, so it totally exceeded expectations.

“The support was unbelievable despite the torrential rain. I’d love to know what might have been had the swim not been cancelled, as I was feeling so strong in the water – I guess I’ll have to save that for the 70.3 world champs!”

Will Newbery added: “It’s pretty amazing to have lots of great athletes in the area, and me... For me, it’s not about my performance anymore, more the love of the sport and helping others.”

Chloe Woolf commented: “The weather was totally crazy, torrential rain, lots of wind and the odd rumble of thunder. Such fun, and I’m already super motivated for the next race!”

Valeria Sesto concluded: “The last 10 miles of the bike course were very scary, discovering that rim brakes don’t work well, when wet, on carbon wheels!

“The run was exhilarating, and I was surprised with a sub-1:30 half, but I need to practice transitions, as I get muddled up and lost first place because of it.

“It was special sharing it with lovely friends and all the supporters from Lymington, who were out despite the conditions!”