Alexander, Steffen back with a bang

SUBIC—Australia’s veteran internationalist Craig Alexander and Swiss standout Caroline Steffen arrived in this serene former American naval base hoping to settle some unfinished business.

They accomplished their mission in style.

Five-time world champion Alexander reigned supreme in the male Pro race of the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 that ended in front of an adoring throng at Subic Convention Center here.

Steffen, 37, ruled the women’s race to raise her tally to four on Philippine soil, coasting trouble-free to the finish line after dominating the bike and run legs of the event that started on Acea Beach.

Known as “Crowie” in the triathlon community, the 42-year-old Alexander pulled out of last year’s competition at the 11th hour due to a back injury.

He bucked a slow start in the swim leg yesterday but caught Patrick Lange of Germany in the early stages of the run en route to an impressive time of three hours, 48 minutes and 56 seconds.

“I felt as good as I can,” said Alexander, a father of three, who was met at the finish line by Wilfred Uytengsu of Sunrise Events, the organizers of Ironman races in the country.

“It’s never easy when you have some hills on the course and with the heat and humidity also making it difficult. I had to be strong and smart.”

Competing in his first race in Asia, Lange checked in almost two minutes behind in 3:50:45, while Tim Reed, who won the race last year in 3:51:50, finished third with a time of 3:52:58.

The German held a close to three-minute lead on the transition to the run, before Alexander turned it up a notch to overhaul the advantage.

“It was hard because I gave it all in the bike leg,” said Lange.

Like Alexander, Steffen—winner of the Ironman 70.3 in Cebu the last three years—missed the Subic race last year. She watched helplessly in her hotel room nursing abdominal pains as the race took off without her.

“It was devastating,” said Steffen. “You can’t go wrong racing here and I came back to settle unfinished business.”

The Australia-based Swiss star timed 4:09:40 to top the women’s Pro division.

Olympian Rodka Vodickova of the Czech Republic, clocked 4:14:51 and took the silver, while Dimity Lee Duke of Australia came in third in 4:23:52.

August Benedicto emerged as the top Filipino finisher with a personal-best 4:20:15—good for seventh overall.