Reigning Olympic champion Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) showed no signs of fatigue from his recent world record-breaking Ironman debut as he took the tape in another impressive win at Clash Daytona on Saturday.
A day of fast racing under the Miami sun saw 20 of the sport’s top athletes battle it out for a share of the $100,000 prize purse at Daytona International Speedway.
The 27-year-old Norwegian took ownership of the race in the final six kilometres of the run, overtaking bike powerhouse Magnus Ditlev (DNK) to claim a 1min37 advantage by the time he took the tape.
The pro race, coined ‘Daytona Distance’, involved a two-kilometre swim in Lake Lloyd, set in the middle of the speedway, followed by an 80km bike leg of 20 laps around the pancake-flat track, finished off by a four-lap 18km run.
The men’s race saw Ben Kanute (USA) and Marc Dubrick (USA) in a head-to-head in the water, with Kanute leading out the water into T1 and Blummenfelt behind in fourth after Brit Thomas Davis.
After a fast bike leg, it was Ditlev first to roll into T2 with the lead pack close behind him including Kanute, Blummenfelt and Rudy Von Berg (USA). USA’s Matt Hanson and Canadian Brent McMahon added to the pack in the run to form the top six finishers.
In the women’s race, it was GB’s Lucy Buckingham who led the two-kilometre swim into transition, maintaining her lead until the final run where she was ultimately overtaken by Jackie Hering (USA).
She eventually finished ahead of France’s Marjolaine Pierre and fellow Brit Jodie Stimpson, who won Challenge Miami in March.
To add to the competitive atmosphere, an extra $1,000 prize bonus from Wahoo was up for grabs for the fastest men and women to complete T1 (swim to bike transition) and T2 (bike to run transition).
T1 bonuses went to India Lee (GBR) and McMahon, with T2 bonuses won by Anne Reischmann (GER) and Blummenfelt.
Clash Endurance says: "Our mission is to advance the sport with family-friendly, professionally managed races for all ages and race abilities."
The next race in the series will also take place in Miami on 11-13 March 2022.
Clash Daytona top 10 women’s results:
- Jackie Hering, 3:32:50
- Lucy Hall, 3:33:13
- Marjolaine Pierre, 3:34:38
- Jodie Stimpson, 3:34:44 9
- Laura Siddall, 3:35:42
- Anne Reischmann, 3:37:05
- Rach McBride, 3:37:51
- India Lee, 3:40:32
- Lesley Smith, 3:41:08
- Meredith Kessler, 3:43:24
Clash Daytona top 10 men’s results:
- Kristian Blummenfelt, 3:08:31
- Magnus Ditlev, 3:10:08
- Rudy von Berg, 3:11:29
- Matt Hanson, 3:12:47
- Brent McMahon, 3:14:19
- Ben Kanute, 3:16:12
- Thomas Davis, 3:18:31
- Andrew Starkowicz, 3:20:46
- Taylor Reid, 3:21:27
- Nicholas Chase, 3:21:53
Image credit: Clash Daytona
