Terenzo Bozzone. Photo / Herald on Sunday
New Zealand athlete Terenzo Bozzone topped the podium in the Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island triathlon in the United States today.
Kiwi Sam Warriner finished third in the women's event.
Bozzone, 25, overtook leader Paul Ambrose from Britain near the end of the 21km run and held off Australian Tim Berkel
to win in four hours, 01min 15 seconds.
It was his fourth major win over the distance this year along with two second placings.
Warriner was third in the women's race after leading off the bike, but was run down by Australia's Kate Major and American Caitlin Snow on a tough course at Rhode Island.
"What a race. The competition didn't give up and the course was relentless," Bozzone said.
"It was nice to finish this block with the win. The Aussies were hot on my heels all day."
Warriner spent most of the day at the front of the women's race, trailing defending champion Michellie Jones out of the water.
The New Zealander quickly took command on the bike and enjoyed a one-minute buffer into the run over teammate, Kate Major, from Australia.
Major moved into the lead 5km from the finish and held off a fast finishing American Caitlin Snow with Warriner third, her fifth podium finish of the season.
"I led the race from start until three miles before the end of the run. I am pretty disappointed. Today I just didn't have a change of gear on the run," Warriner said.
RESULTS
Ironman 70.3 Rhode Island (2km swim 90kim bike 21km run):
Women: Kate Major (Australia) 4hr 30:36, 1; Caitlin Snow (US) 4:30:59, 2; SAMANTHA WARRINER (New Zealand) 4:33:32, 3.
Men: TERENZO BOZZONE (NZ) 4:01:15, 1; Tim Berkel (AUS) 4:02:05, 2; Paul Ambrose (GBR) 4:03:02, 3. Also: Graham O'Grady (NZL) 4:17.01, 10.
- NZPA
