MUSCAT: Russian triathlete Ilya Slepov claimed an Oman double when he stormed to the top finish of Ironman 70.3 Salalah recently.
Slepov made it an Oman double in Salalah as he had won the Ironman 70.3 Oman 2023 in Muscat in February.
The Russian finished first in 4 hours six minutes and one second ahead of Rory Buck of South Africa (4:24:05) and third-placed Vincent Bartscher (4:24:24) of Germany on September 23.
In the women’s section, Germany’s Janina Rhode won the honours with a timing of 4:53:07. South Africa’s Slayde Beker (5:19:32) came second and Netherlands Jolien Sonneveld (5:20:59) finished third.
The field of 314 triathletes first took to the 1.9 km swim course located in the turquoise water of the Hawana Lagoons. The athletes swam around the lagoons to the middle of the marina where they entered the transition zone.
Next up was the out-and-back 90.1 km bike course along the majestic coastline of the Indian Ocean and touching the highway that leads from Salalah to Mirbat.
The final three-loop 21.1 km run course took the athletes around the Hawana Salalah and through spectator-friendly streets and alleys. The finish line was located in the heart of the marina.
Dr Ahmed bin Mohsen al Ghassani, Chairman of Dhofar Municipality, was the chief guest for the closing ceremony along with Triathlon Middle East CEO Mohammed al Obeidani and other officials.
OMAN TRIATHLON TRIUMPH
In the Ironman Triclub category, Oman Triathlon emerged toppers with 19, 633 points. Tri Team Athena were second with 14, 594 points and Saudi Tri Community finished third with 9,694 points.
In men’s relay, Team Royal Navy of Oman ‘A’ came on top with a timing of 4:09:02 ahead of Team Royal Navy of Oman ‘B’ (4:36:12) while Team Tri Hubs (4:59:01) finished third.
In women’s relay, Team Chicks With Kick (5:22:00) came first ahead of Team Trihards (5:50:12) and Team The Bussettes (5:53:29)
In mixed relay, Team Ocean Salalah (6:12:40) were the winners ahead of Team Karakora Dragons (6:32:05) and Team Dc ‘Drop Till Ur Chop’ (6:42:07).
In women’s 18-24, Germany’s Maja Falkiewicz (5:21:58) claimed first ahead of India’s Reshal Bhati (7:44:11). In the men’s 18-24, Abdulla al Zarra of Qatar (4:48:49) came first while Great Britain’s Rolf Jager (4:58:36) was second and Egypt’s Mahmoud Mostafa (5:04:54) finished third.
Ironman 70.3 Salalah 2023 results
(read as position, athlete, country, timing)
1. Ilya Slepov (Russia) 4:06:01
2. Rory Buck (South Africa) 4:24:05
3. Vincent Bartscher (Germany) 4:24:24
4. Anton Safonov (Russia) 4:29:10
5. Mohammad al Qais (Bahrain) 4:29:24
6. Konstantin Kolyasnikov (Russia) 4:36:08
7. Daniel Power (Great Britian) 4:40:55
8. Giacomo Giovenali (Italy) 4:42:56
9. Iosif Psomas (Greece) 4:43:18
10. Abdullah al Refae (Kuwait) 4:47:37
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