[Robert G.]

By: Shane Facteau, ironmanlive.com

OCEANSIDE, Calif.-Denmark’s Torbjorn Sindballe and Canada’s Samantha McGlone won the men’s and women’s titles respectively at the 2005 Ralphs California Half Ironman Triathlon held on Saturday in Oceanside and on neighboring Camp Pendleton.

1,880 athletes competed in the event, which featured 20 qualifying spots to the 2005 Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, as well as a $30,000 pro prize purse.

Sindballe claimed the second Ralphs California Half Ironman title of his career, as the Danish standout also won the event back in 2002. Sindballe also finished sixth at the 2004 Ironman Triathlon World Championsip in October.

Sindballe posted the fastest run time of the event (one hour, 14 minutes and 36 seconds) to register an overall winning time of 3:59:48.

Sindballe used his strong run to overtake 2002 Ironman Wisconsin champion Chris Lieto (Danville, Calif.) who ended up finishing second with a time of 4:04:28.

2003 Ironman Florida champion Timo Bracht (Germany) was third for the men in 4:07:13, with Richie Cunningham (Australia) fourth in 4:07:56 and Luke Dragstra (Encinitas, Calif.) fifth in 4:08:50.

McGlone, a member of the 2004 Canadian Olympic Triathlon Team, use a solid all-around day to finish with a winning overall time of 4:28:15.

Desiree Ficker (Austin, Texas) finished second in 4:31:28, while 2004 Ralphs California Half Ironman champion Michellie Jones (Australia) finished third in 4:32:44.

Alexis Waddel (Carmel, Calif.) was fourth overall in 4:39:08, while 2004 Ironman USA Lake Placid champion Kate Major (Australia) was fifth overall in 4:40:45.

Sindballe and McGlone each took home $5,000 for the victory in the event, which took place for the fourth time in Oceanside.

For more information on the Ralphs California Half Ironman, log onto www.ironmancalifornia.com. For more information on Ironman North America events log onto www.ironmannorthamerica.com


2005 Ralphs California Half Ironman Results
March 19, 2005
Oceanside, Calif.

Men
1. Torbjorn Sindballe, Denmark, 3:59:58
2. Chris Lieto, Danville, Calif., 4:404:28
3. Timo Bracht, Germany, 4:07:13
4. Richie Cunningham, Australia, 4:07:56
5. Luke Dragtra, Encinitas, Calif., 4:08:50
6. Matt Seeley, Polson, Mont., 4:10:28
7. C.J. Castle, Santa Barbara, Calif., 4:11:14
8. Matt Lieto, Danville, Calif., 4:11:53
9. Jamie Cleveland, Canada, 4:14:28
10. Andy Martin, Bend, Ore., 4:15:14

Women
1. Samantha McGlone, Canada, 4:28:15
2. Desiree Ficker, Austin, Texas, 4:31:28
3. Michellie Jones, Australia, 4:32:44
4. Alexis Waddel, Carmel, Calif., 4:39:08
5. Kate Major, Australia, 4:40:45
6. Joanna Zeiger, Boulder, Colo., 4:40:52
7. Lisa Bentley, Canada, 4:41:40
8. Leanda Cave, Australia, 4:41:42
9. Kim Loeffler, Colchester, Vt., 4:44:37
10. Nicole DeBoom, Lyons, Colo., 4:44:58