Rachel again on the podium (05.06.2011)

Though her legs were tired Rachel fought a great battle at the Challenge Kraichgau and finished 3rd. A few hours before Kristin Möller and Swen Sundberg became 7th and 6th at Ironman 70.3 Switzerland.

Rachel had just a few days of recovery at home in London before she travelled to Bad Schönborn, Germany. It was the first time for Rachel that she raced in Kraichgau. Her legs were tired but obviously not her arms – she came out of the water as first woman after she swam 1,9 km in the Hardtsee in Weiher. She could defend her lead until half of the 90 km. The German Julia Wagner and the Dutch Yvonne van Vlerken had more power and overtook her. Til the end of the bike course Rachel lost another place but the first 4 were just within 45 seconds. At the last discipline she should have felt the Ironman race most. But it did not look like that. After 3 quarters of the run she was already on the second place behind the Dutch. But the last 5 km were her toughest ones and she had to slow down. Still Rachel finished 3rd just 1,5 minutes behind van Vlerken and Julia Wagner. She was happy that the race was done: “The last kilometres were tougher than the marathon in Lanzarote. But of course I am happy to finish that great race under the top 3.”

Kristin and Swen have the same race schedule at the moment. After Austria both raced Ironmn 70.3 Switzerland. Kristin’s race characteristic was pretty much the same like in St. Pölten. In the first discipline she had her problems but then it got better after every single kilometre. Again she run the fastest half marathon and took the 7th place.

Also Swen’s performance improves. After a good swim split he had not his full pressure on the bike pedal but with one of the fastest run splits he overtook some athletes. With the 6th place he ended his trip to Rapperswil. Swen after the race: “I feel that my shape gets better. Between the race in Austria and Switzerland I trained quite much. That is probably the reason why my bike performance was not like it used to be. Though I am happy with the 6th place.”

Kristin and Swen continue to travel together. They will race in Pescara at the Ironman 70.3 Italy.