Ironman: Frustration for athletes at Taupo

Taupo provided a frustrating morning for the hundreds of Ironmen and women who endured numerous delays to the start of what turned out to be a significantly shortened event.

Strong, gusting winds turned Lake Taupo into a frothy wave-pool, forcing organisers to cancel the 3.8km swim section of the race at the scheduled start time of 7am.

Athletes were told a contingency plan was in operation and further announcements would be made.

With no sign of the winds abating, a further briefing at 9am by race director Jane Patterson confirmed the race would be shortened and started at 11am.

Weather reports indicated winds would drop but with such a late start, full-distance run and bike legs would have meant people finishing late into the night.

Competitors would instead compete over one lap of a 90km bike course followed by a half-marathon.

Patterson told the crowd the decision was based on safety issues and that it was impossible to run the event today for several reasons, including lack of medical cover.

"It's not what we wanted and we know it's not what you wanted," she said, "but the decision was made in the interests of safety."

For many, the disappointment of months of training and preparation going to waste turned to anger but most experienced athletes felt it was the best option.

Australian Bruce Gordon, running his third Ironman, said finishing the reduced distance felt hollow but there was nothing that could be done.

"It was a lose-lose situation for the organisers."

Asked after the event whether she would have changed anything, Patterson was adamant the right choice had been made.

"We worked through our contingency plan and it will go down as another chapter of Ironman New Zealand," she said. "It's such an amazing race with a great history."

For Taupo's dozens of cafes and restaurants, however, that morning was probably their busiest of the year, as athletes and their supporters wandered the streets looking for sustenance and coffee between official briefings.

-HERALD ON SUNDAY