Qualifies for 2017 Ironman 70.3 Championships
The extremely hot conditions experienced in the recently held Ironman 70.3 Budapest did not hinder Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club athlete Michelle Vella Wood’s efforts to secure a podium placing in her Age Group.
Vella Wood, who undertook the Hungarian course for the first time and is making a return to long distance triathlon after a short hiatus, showed good form in what is considered a fast and flat route.
Racing in the 35-39 Age Group category, Vella Wood was 4th out of the water having swam the 1.9km distance in 31 minutes and two seconds. Vella Wood has paid particular attention to the cycling discipline in the past months where she secured second place in the Tour ta’ Malta. This focus paid off in the 90km cycle segment. Racing at an average of 35km and hour, the segment was completed in a time of 2 hours 23 minutes which saw her climb to second place in her category. The half marathon route, undertaken in sweltering conditions saw her go to third place in the segment, however her overall time of 4 hours 41 minutes and 29 seconds was enough to see Vella Wood secure a second place on the podium and a qualification for the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA.
“I’m really glad I took a chance to race that distance this year. I hadn’t planned on doing so due to my hip flexor injury earlier on. Although I wasn’t 100% prepared, I’m very pleased with my performance and now really excited to be preparing for 2017 Worlds in Chattanooga Tennessee – 9th September”, commented Vella Wood after the race. “This year has been a great learning curve for me, and I am to implement all the lessons learnt into a proper preparation for what promises to be a very challenge race. Nevertheless, I will race my heart out and proudly represent Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club and of course Malta”
Birkirkara St. Joseph Sport Club was also represented by Clare Azzopardi Lane, William Brydon, Suzanne Farrugia and Maria Vella-Galea.
