Comerford wins fourth title at Ford Ironman Florida
Nov. 4, 2006 -- Bella Comerford fought back on the run to win her fourth Ford Ironman Florida title today in Panama City Beach. The defending champion, Comerford of Scotland, has previously won the race in 2002, 2003, 2005.
Fifth out of the water and third after the bike Comerford passed both Andrea Fisher, Austin, Tex., and Carole Sharpless, Marietta, Ga., on the marathon to take the win. Sharpless was able to hang on for second place, her best placing in an Ironman event, with Hillary Biscay of Manhattan Beach, Calif., running into third. This caps a great season for Biscay, who posted top-three finishes at four Ironman events including here at Ironman Florida. Tamara Kosulina from the Ukraine finished in fourth place with Fisher hanging on for fifth.
The men's championship was won by Germany's Jan Raphael, the 25-year-old had never raced an Ironman before and was delighted with his result. He led out of the water and maintained the lead, despite a challenge by Argentina's Eduardo Sturla on the marathon. Third place and top American was Jim Vance of San Diego, Calif., who is being coached by three-time Ironman world champion Peter Reid, now retired. Stephen Bayliss of England was fourth followed by Canadian Scott Curry.
Ford Ironman Florida
Panama City Beach, Fla.
Nov. 4, 2006
2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run
Men:
1. Jan Raphael, Germany 8:22:44
2. Eduardo Sturla, Argentina 8:23:49
3. Jim Vance, San Diego, CA 8:37:09
4. Stephen Bayliss, England 8:43:41
5. Scott Curry, AB, Canada 8:45:12
6. Christophe Bastie, France 8:46:16
7. Jozsef Major 8:48:17
8. Alain Vervoort, Belgium 8:52:38
9. Joseph Spindler, Germany 8:53:42
10. Sebastian Pedraza, Italy 8:55:58
Women:
1. Bella Comer ford, Scotland 9:28:28
2. Carole Sharpless, Marietta GA9:40:22
3. Hillary Biscay, Manhattan, CA9:40:22
4. Tamara Kosulina, Ukraine 9:41:50
5. Andrea Fisher, Austin, TX 9:43:40
6. Amanda Lovato, Boulder, CO 9:46:15
7. Gabriela Loskotova, Czech Rep9:57:13
8. Sylvie Dansereau, ON Canada 9:58.55
9. Sione Jongstra, Netherlands 10:01:19
10. Charlene Waldner, BC Canada 10:02:51