Cameron Brown held off a strong challenge from Swedens Clas Bjorling to take out the inaugural Auckland half ironman today.

Brown enjoyed a successful final shakedown ahead of the defence of his Ironman New Zealand title at Taupo in March.

He opened up a buffer of nearly six minutes on Bjorling after the 90kms bike and held off a late charge from the Swede to win in 4:03:10 in the Body 02-sponsored event at Kawakawa Bay on Aucklands eastern bays.

Bjorling, fourth in last years Ironman New Zealand race, took more than three minutes out of the leader on the last of three laps in the 21km run, to finish 23 seconds in arrears.

The pair spread-eagled the field with Aucklands Chris McDonald finishing third 21 minutes behind the winner.

It was mission accomplished for Brown who said the race was an excellent litmus test as he prepares for his final assault for Ironman New Zealand.

``It was a strong field with a number of top professionals who will be tough at Taupo including Clas and it gave me the tough workout I was looking for,'' Brown said.

``I wanted to treat it as a tough training day and the good thing was that I had opened up a good lead and was able to take it easy on the run. It was great as I was able to relax in third gear for the run.

``the course is quite tough but the conditions were superb today. I felt really strong throughout the day.

Brown will give himself one day off tomorrow before facing three weeks of maximum mileage, pushing his training up to 40 hours a week.

Swedes Bjorn Anderson led the individuals from the 2km swim at Maraetai but the challenge from the strong European ended when he blew the sidewall out of his tyre 25kms into the bike while still leading.

Brown took control on the hills from Kawakawa Bay to the turnaround at Kaiaua, on his favourite training ground, clearing out to the winning six-minute buffer as Bjorling pushed through to second with McDonald a further seven minutes behind. Nick Kensington a group into transition including Browns coach and 1988 world champion Scott Molina (USA) and 2002 world double ironman champion Gordo Byrn (Canada).

Bjorling finished strongly showing he will be a forced to be reckoned with at Taupo in six weeks.

It was a really nice course and I felt strong out there today. It was a rolling course on the bike and run and it was a good test.

US-based Kiwi Bianca Simpson, former New Zealand and Samoan cycling representative, led from the start to win the womens race in 4:52:06.

Simpson pushed well clear on the bike, opening up a four minute lead by the 30km mark and was never threatened, although Canadas Marilyn McDonald closed to within two minutes at the finish.

Aucklands Jo Ryder, who qualified for her first Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in October, finished third a further minute back.

Results:

Body 02 Auckland Half Ironman, Kawakawa Bay (2km swim 90km bike 21 km run):

Men: Cameron Brown (Auckland) 4:03.10, 1; Clas Bjorling (Sweden) 4:03:33, 2; Chris McDonald (Christchurch) 4:24.30, 3; Gordo Byrn (Canada) 4:31.59, 4; Nick Kensington (Auckland) 4:36.27, 5; Stuart Smith (Auckland) 4:37.22, 6; Shannon Barnett (Auckland) 4:36.03, 7; Tyron Wallwork (Auckland) 4:36.49, 8; Scott Penny (Australia) 4:38.55, 9; Yeo Chang Jae (Korea) 4:52.37, 10.

Women: Bianca Simpson (USA) 4:52.06, 1; Marilyn McDonald (Canada) 4:53.57, 2; Jo Ryder (Auckland) 4:55.19, 3; Miranda Stacey (Auckland) 5:02.27, 4; Belinda Baban (Auckland) 5:13.19, 5.

For further information contact:

Ian Hepenstall
Sports Media NZ
Tel 021 613181

Source: Ironman New Zealand