Chris McDonald

LAKE WANAKA, New Zealand. Blitzing the course record, Australia's Chris McDonald powered home to win the third Challenge Wanaka long distance triathlon in 8.37.41, nearly seven minutes clear of plucky Kiwi Keegan Williams. Czech Petr Vabrousek rounded out the podium just 30sec in arrears in what turned out to be a close-fought battle on the run.

McDonald, 30, placed second here last year and said frustration with a slow swim sped him through the first 80km on the bike and a final time that slashed 10min off the course record of 8.47.49, set here by last year's winner Marc Pschebizin of Germany.

The winners: Petr Vabrousek, Chris McDonald and Keegan Williams (from left to right)

Defending champion Gina Ferguson exited the water first and was never headed to break her own course record by some five minutes and finish in 9.28.27 . "The swim was hard," she said at the finish. "I had a great ride."

Gina Ferguson - once again successfull (All Photos: Mike Heydon)

Wanaka's own Merryn Johnston, fourth here last year in her professional debut, improved to second in 10.03.56. Third spot went to American Hillary Biscay, who was second here last year, in 10.16.39.
Challenge Wanaka is part of the global TEAMChallenge series that features six events in France, Germany and Spain, as well as New Zealand. Now in its third year, it drew more than 470 athletes from 21 countries for a weeklong festival of sport.

The results

MEN
1) Chris McDonald (AUS) 8.37.41 (57.12/4.45.34/2.51.33)
2) Keegan Williams (NZL) 8.44.08 (54.41/4.55.04/2.50.41)
3) Petr Vabrousek (CZE) 8.44.38 (57.09/4.55.42/2.48.25)  

WOMEN
1) Gina Ferguson (NZL) 9.28.27 (54.34/5.14.28/3.15.19)
2) Merryn Johnston (NZL) 10.03.56
3) Hillary Biscay (USA) 10.16.39  

For more information: www.challenge-wanaka.com