It is always special arriving in Kona and the 2010 edition was no exception. The newly formed Team Freespeed were all racing and looking forward to good results, but first celebrations were in order as Stuart Anderson married Mette in a little chapel on the beach.
Race week was a great chance to enjoy the morning swims and catch up with old friends including Richard Hobson and his family. It can be hard to focus on the challenge ahead with so much to enjoy about the island life.
Race day arrived and the Freespeed athletes were flying. Stuart clocked the fastest British amateur time of the day, 9:17, with Declan only a couple of minutes behind, the fastest Irish amateur of the day. Tim cruised across the line comfortably inside his 9:30 goal and it looked like being the perfect day.
Unfortunately, Jenny who had been in good position going on to the run started to suffer serious stomach pains and was whisked away to the local hospital and spent the next 36 hours having scans and checks. Not the ending she was hoping for and a first Ironman DNF. She’ll be back again some day to put things right.
Ultimately, it was a very rewarding trip for all four of the athletes and they agreed that racing as part of a team had enhanced the enjoyment of the experience.
Team Freespeed in its current form was born out there on the lava fields of Kona, and that will remain the team’s spiritual home.
For race reports and more photos go to kona.im.
If you like this, please share it!
Tweet
