Jan Frodeno, Amelia Watkinson dominate IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia

World Champion smashes course record in Poland

It was never in doubt really, was it? Jan Frodeno winning IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia in Poland today will likely come as a surprise to precisely nobody. Even beating the 2018 course record (by eight minutes) of Tim O’Donnell is pretty much par for the course. He will be a significant absence from the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nice next month, but if that decision helps provide a 100% ready Frodeno in Kona, that will quickly be forgotten.

Like Jan, Amelia Rose Watkinson (NZL) lead the way from the first pedal revolutions of the bike and was never seen again, setting the fastest bike and run splits on the way to a big win. Given she was only one second slower than Great Britain’s Claire Hann in the swim too, we’ll chalk that one up to an all-round great day for the Kiwi. It wasn’t quite perfect however – as she managed to overcook a corner descending on the bike and crash, crossing the line with the results of that impact still very visible courtesy of the blood on her nose.

ENEA Ironman 70.3 Gdynia – Sunday 11th August 2019
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km

PRO MEN

1st – Jan Frodeno (GER) – 3:39:36
2nd – Maurica Clavel (GER) – 3:43:46
3rd – Miki Tagholt (DEN) – 3:46:28

7th – Thomas Davis (GBR) – 3:50:35
8th – Colin Norris (GBR) – 3:52:35

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One of the best races I’ve put together today, but only good enough for 7th place here @ironmangydnia Did what I needed to on the swim, rode with @nilsfrommhold @alexpolizzi_triathlete for 30km or so then I decided to go after the race solo Finished it off with a strong run All looking good for @ironman70.3worldchampionship in a few weeks time!

A post shared by Thomas Davis (@tom_davis1995) on Aug 11, 2019 at 7:02am PDT

PRO WOMEN

1st – Amelia Rose Watkinson (NZL) – 4:06:50
2nd – Lisa Huetthaler (AUT) – 4:15:37
3rd – Susie Cheetham (GBR) – 4:20:28
4th – Claire Hann (GBR) – 4:20:28

DNF – Tara Grosvenor (GBR)

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I could write a lot of different posts about hammers and nails. And how much I've learnt… but whatever way you cut it. Today just wasn't my day. It was going to happen eventually….after over 20 triathlons since I started this game (spread across all the distances I have never once DNF'd) … so it was a very odd feeling, but today – not really a difficult decision. I had nothing to give from the start of the bike. And my body didn't want to take on water or food. So I tried to enjoy a closed road training ride…. but…that's when you realise 56 miles is a long way when you haven't got much to give and are running on the fumes in the tank. Most importantly. I'm safe. And while today felt like a pushing water up a mountain. Tomorrow will feel different. So life is good. With running being arguably my favourite part of a triathlon… choosing not to even start the half marathon was sad. But today it just wasn't meant to be.. and quite frankly, I couldn't have thought of a bigger ordeal. 🤷‍♀️ This weekend has been a great way of missing some terrible weather in the UK… so there is one positive. Onto the next adventure and pastures new in a weeks time with @treeeny to go play in one of my very favourite places…. #mountains 💕 hopefully that will put me back in my happy place ready for my next race before a little build into the one after that, and the one after that and…… you get the idea 🤣 #racing #toughcookie #shithappens #trilife #trainhard #raceday #feelingblue #triathlon #triathlontraining #motivation #createalifeyoulove #3athlonlife #tri365 #swimbikerun #girlswhotri #notmyday

A post shared by Tara Grosvenor (@tara_tris) on Aug 11, 2019 at 9:42am PDT