Caroline Steffen overcomes ‘mechanical issue’ to win women’s Ironman 70.3

Caroline Steffen. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

SUBIC, Zambales—Caroline Steffen proved that she’s on a class of her own after conquering the women’s division of the 2019 Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay here on Sunday.

The Swiss finished the course at 4:29:15 for the title, her first since winning the 2016 edition of the competition.

Steffen’s time was 13 minutes faster than second-placer Dimity Lee Duke of Australia.

“It’s great to come back. I had a win a couple of years back and the last time I was here I was in second place so it really feels good to win,” said Steffen, who settled for the silver in 2019 Ironman 70.3 Davao.

Steffen, though, had to push harder at the start of the race after trailing Guam’s Manan Iijima in the swim leg.

Iijima was the first out of the water and finished the swim leg at 21:01, 53 seconds faster than Steffen.

Steffen, though, got the lead at the early part of the bike leg and she never looked back even overcoming some difficulty with her bike.

“I had a mechanical issue because I only have two gears on my bike so it was a bit hard going up the hill and I was a bit worried if I could go through the break wall without two gears,” said Steffen. “But I managed it and I’m very proud of that.”

Laura Wood of New Zealand came in third, her first podium finish of her career, after clocking 4:46:23.