Tim Don doesn’t want dwell on his (frankly quite amazing) recovery from a near-fatal neck injury that ruled him out of Kona 2017. Oh no. He has bigger fish to fry than that. Much bigger. Like, winning-Kona-sized bigger…
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It’s during our exclusive interview below that the multiple world champ, Ironman world record holder and 220 columnist reveals the mindset that has seen him go from lying on the roadside after a horrific bike crash, to undergoing a brutal rehab in a halo neck brace (a near-medieval torture style device that was screwed into his skull), to completing the Boston Marathon in 02:49:22 – a time close to his Ironman run time.
Tim Don on coming back from a broken neck
Tim Don back racing after breaking his neck
“The thing about Boston Marathon was it marked the end of the last 6 months. It’s not that I’m not focusing on recovery, I am, but I don’t want to see myself as a recovering athlete. Now it’s like ‘I’m back, I’m a professional, I need to do my rehab but I also need to compare myself to the guys that are breaking course records…”
Got that? Good. Then here’s the full story, from the man himself…
Was there ever any doubt in your mind that you’d return to triathlon?
Tim Don: You know, initially, it wasn’t on the horizon. The first couple of days you’re more practical, thinking about the pain and how to deal with a broken neck. Once they’d fitted the halo, they said ‘ok this is it – now come back in 3 weeks for scans unless you’ve got issues’… They don’t really give you much advice and it’s quite a peculiar contraption. I had to sleep in a chair bolt upright, it was hard to swallow at first because my neck was in a strange position… so no I definitely wasn’t thinking about training! Three weeks later though, I was itching to do something.
Was having the halo a hard decision to make?
Tim Don: It wasn’t, because when you go to the doctors and you’re sick and they give you antibiotics, do you question them? You just say okay. This was the same thing – you’re seeing these experts and it’s their area of expertise. They gave me three options [a cast, surgery or the halo] but said “to be honest, if you want to get back to what you were doing this is the only option.” I wanted to get back, so there was no real choice.
I’ll be honest, knowing what I know now I’d go for a fusion – I would never have a halo again! The doctor that fitted it looks after loads of hospitals in Denver – so maybe 3-5 million people – and he only fits three halos a year maximum, because everyone goes for the fusion.
It was at one of my later appointments, when he had to tighten the screws, that he told me that most people only last between three days and a week before they have it taken off because as well as the pain, the practicality isn’t so good. They tighten the screws to 8 newton metres (when you tighten your seat post it’s only 4-5 NM), at least a centimetre into the skull and the metal frame goes all the way down to your belly button and if you knock it that vibration goes up to your skull… Plus every time the screws came loose my head would swell up and they’d need tightening again. I was in it for three months exactly. It felt like an eternity.
Tim in the ‘halo’ neck brace he had to wear for 6 months.
When you starting training again (still in the halo), did you have your doctor’s blessing?
Tim Don: I kind of had his blessing – it was kind of ‘don’t do anything stupid’ though! It wasn’t so much the fracture they were worried about, as bone takes 6-8 weeks to heal, it was more the curvature of my spine and the gaps between my vertebrae which they didn’t want to change. The surgeon who put the halo on is an accomplished surgeon, but he’s also an Ironman triathlete. He’s been to Kona and is doing Alaskaman this year, so he gets it.
I literally started with 5 minutes on a gym exercise bike at 80 watts and then with John Dennis, my physio, we came up with a plan to make the rest of my body (neck aside!) as strong and as injury-proof as possible so when I came back to being able to train, after about four and a half months of no running, I wouldn’t tear a calf, get Plantar Fasciitis, or a stiff lower back from being back on a bike… So we tried to do a lot of S&C around those groups for prevention, so that was my new goal – my new fix!
Have you learnt anything during that period that’s a positive thing?
Tim Don: Never give up! I learnt a lot about the community as well though. I mean I’ve been racing since 1992 and a professional triathlete since 1997, I’ve won medals, I’ve been to the Olympics, but never before have I had so many well-wishers. It meant a lot to me and I’ve been blown away by how people reached out. I’m lucky.
Your race comeback was the Boston Marathon – was there a reason you chose a run first?
Tim Don: I knew the first thing I could come back and do would be a run! It wouldn’t be a 1500m swim race in the pool, that would be horrifically painful – and as for cycling, I still can’t turn my neck enough to see behind me – so of the three disciplines running is what we all do first and so I knew I could do it. Then the opportunity came up to run Boston Marathon with support from On [Tim’s run sponsor] and I said yes!
Originally the goal was just to finish, then as we got closer we were hoping for under 3 hours, then the founder of On said he’s give me $1000 if I could run under 02:56 so it was like ‘yes, game on!’ Then the NY Times ran an article where they suggested 02:44 because that was my time in the Ironman world record run, and I said ‘no way, if I can get near 02:50 I’ll be happy’, so then the goal became 02:50 – and I did it in 02:49!
Click to the next page to read more of our exclusive interview with Tim Don >>>>>
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Has your running gait changed since your injury?
We haven’t done video analysis on a treadmill, but Julie videos me a lot in Boulder and my lower half is very similar, but I’m still very stiff through my thoracic spine, my shoulders, my upper traps and going into my neck, I’m more rigid. This is the most comfortable position for my neck [Tim demonstates, with his head just tilted a tiny fraction off-centre] and it’s not straight – but if I put it straight I get a massive pain all down the side, so we’ve definitely got a lot of work to do. Especially if I want to come off the bike and do a 02:44 again!
Tim in Brazil, on his way to breaking the Ironman World Record by more than 4 minutes with a time of 7:40:23.
How about your swimming and your cycling now? Are you still swimming with a snorkel until you get that mobility back?
I’m swimming without the snorkel as well, I just can’t do the whole session without it. I’m up to 3,000m which you might think is great, but it’s not great when you consider that right now Jan [Frodeno] and Sebi [Kienle] are doing 6,000m sets no problem.
That was the other thing about Boston – it marked the end of the last 6 months. It’s not that I’m not focusing on recovery, I am, but I don’t want to see myself as a recovering athlete. Now it’s like ‘I’m back, I’m a professional, I need to do my rehab but I also need to compare myself to the guys that are breaking course records etc etc.’
I think swimming is going to be the toughest though. Matt Bottrill, my coach, is loving the biking though as it’s quite hard to lift my neck up, so I’m actually keeping myself more aerodynamic!
For the run, it’s about getting everything firing again as it’s not used to moving. The run’s especially important too, as that’s my weapon. So yeah, lots of work to do, but it’s different work to normal, so I’m quite excited in a perverse sort of way!
Has your attitude to cycling changed at all since the accident?
I was worried initially that I was going to ride 100m on the road and go ‘oh my god I can’t do this, the cars are too close, the noise…’, but I’m actually a very practical person and so no, I didn’t feel emotional. Also remember I’ve been a pro for a long time and it’s the first time I’ve been hit by a vehicle. I’ve fallen off, I’ve had pins, stitches, but it’s always been because of mechanicals – a blowout, failed equipment – but this was just a freak accident.
I do all my riding now with a rear light on, even in the day, just to say ‘I’m here!’, but apart from that no changes… Also I’m lucky as I train in Boulder and the hard shoulders are like 2 metres wide and cars are on the whole amazing at giving us a wide berth.
What advice would you give to any 220 readers who are injured or facing time out?
First up, don’t break your neck! But if you do, then don’t have a halo fitted!
D’you know what though? You need to remember there’s always something you can do. Maybe you can still move your legs, train differently in some way – unless it’s a terminal state you will come back from your injury and you will do a triathlon again, so what can you do in the meantime to help?
If need be take a physical or a mental break, take some time out, spend time with the family and don’t dwell on it. Don’t get me wrong though, it wasn’t all bells and whistles for me – there were dark times! I’m a real believer in being positive though, as who knows what’s just around the corner?
So what’s the goal for you, now you’re back training as a pro?
Well, the goal is to go to Kona! I’m going to hopefully do a 70.3 at the end of June, then in July do either Zurich or Hamburg Ironman – they’re on the same day – and then that should hopefully give me enough points to do to Kona. If I finish say 5th at Hamburg but I’m 22 minutes after the winner, then I don’t think I’ll go to Kona. If I go, I want to be where I believe I can be.
There are goals – so we know that by a certain date I need to be able to swim 3.8km without a snorkel, hold X power on a bike – so there will be training milestones. The first was to finish the marathon and the second was to do it under 3 hours, so we’re looking good, so far! It’s a long road.
You’ve had a lot of support from On – and now they’re producing a film about you?
A film, ha! No it’s a documentary! I haven’t seen the ending yet because they haven’t edited the parts from Boston yet, but I’ve seen the rest and it’s a bit peculiar as it’s not me playing a character, it’s just me… So it was a bit uncomfortable for me to watch! I hope people will watch it and think ‘he doesn’t give up’ and see that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. I hope people take something positive from it.
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The documentary ‘The Man With The Halo’ will be available to watch through www.on-running.com on 28th May. See the trailer here now.
After two successful pilot races on Jersey and Hamilton Island (Australia) last year Super League Triathlon (SLT) have announced their 2018-19 season schedule, which sees the top 50 (25 male and 25 female) triathletes from around the world compete to find the best all-round triathlete.
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$1.5 million dollar Super League Triathlon unveiled
There will be five championship rounds as well as two qualifier events. The qualifiers will take place in the iconic triathlon heartlands of Poznan (Poland) and Penticton (Canada), setting the tone for what will be a gripping season ahead.
What is the Qualifier Series?
The championship events will be held in five unique locations across Europe and Asia Pacific, showcasing pristine beaches, epic terrains and historical landmarks. The five locations for the 2018-19 season are: Jersey (UK), Malta, Mallorca, Singapore and Australia.
The series will kick off in Jersey on 29th September, with big names competing including the Brownlee brothers (GBR), Flora Duffy (BER), Richard Murray (RSA), Henri Schoeman (RSA), Mario Mola (ESP), Ashleigh Gentle (AUS), Nicola Spirig (SUI) and Katie Zaferes (USA). The league will continue in Malta (27-28 October), Mallorca (3-4 November) and Singapore (23-24 February 2019), with the final event held in Australia (16-17 March 2019).
SLT sees the top 50 (25 male and 25 female) triathletes from around the world compete
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Alistair Brownlee said: “It’s great to kick off the Super League Triathlon season close to home. There was such a great crowd in Jersey last year; this new format of triathlon makes for some great racing and is really entertaining to watch, so I’m excited for a big turnout and to see what I can do in September.”
Commonwealth gold medallist Henri Schoeman said:“I’m excited to get the Super League Triathlon season kicked off again. I had bad luck in both Hamilton and Jersey last year so I’m hoping it can only get better and go for the series win. I’ve had a great start to the 2018 season so far with two medals at the Commonwealth Games, so I’m feeling confident.”
After two successful pilot races on Jersey and Hamilton Island (Australia) last year Super League Triathlon (SLT) have announced their 2018-19 season schedule, which sees the top 50 (25 male and 25 female) triathletes from around the world compete to find the best all-round triathlete.
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$1.5 million dollar Super League Triathlon unveiled
There will be five championship rounds as well as two qualifier events. The qualifiers will take place in the iconic triathlon heartlands of Poznan (Poland) and Penticton (Canada), setting the tone for what will be a gripping season ahead.
What is the Qualifier Series?
The championship events will be held in five unique locations across Europe and Asia Pacific, showcasing pristine beaches, epic terrains and historical landmarks. The five locations for the 2018-19 season are: Jersey (UK), Malta, Mallorca, Singapore and Australia.
The series will kick off in Jersey on 29th September, with big names competing including the Brownlee brothers (GBR), Flora Duffy (BER), Richard Murray (RSA), Henri Schoeman (RSA), Mario Mola (ESP), Ashleigh Gentle (AUS), Nicola Spirig (SUI) and Katie Zaferes (USA). The league will continue in Malta (27-28 October), Mallorca (3-4 November) and Singapore (23-24 February 2019), with the final event held in Australia (16-17 March 2019).
SLT sees the top 50 (25 male and 25 female) triathletes from around the world compete
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Alistair Brownlee said: “It’s great to kick off the Super League Triathlon season close to home. There was such a great crowd in Jersey last year; this new format of triathlon makes for some great racing and is really entertaining to watch, so I’m excited for a big turnout and to see what I can do in September.”
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Commonwealth gold medallist Henri Schoeman said:“I’m excited to get the Super League Triathlon season kicked off again. I had bad luck in both Hamilton and Jersey last year so I’m hoping it can only get better and go for the series win. I’ve had a great start to the 2018 season so far with two medals at the Commonwealth Games, so I’m feeling confident.”
Is Lance Armstrong planning an ÖtillÖ debut in 2018? That’s certainly the suggestion on his Strava account, which this week has a session logged under the description ‘ÖtillÖ Training’.
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Spotted by the Editor of our sister magazine ProCycling, the session shows Armstrong covering 6.8 miles around the Colorado River area of Austin on 24th April, with an average moving pace of 07:05/mile. See the session here.
ÖtillÖ (meaning ‘island to island’) is the Swedish originator of the sport of swimrun, which is increasing in popularity within the triathlon community. Armstrong famously competed in several triathlons before being banned from competitive sport following his doping confession.
His ban was lifted in 2016 but he has so far not returned to multisport, although he did win a 35km trail running race in California in 2015 which would indicate he would be a strong competitor. Any return to multisport is bound to polarise opinion however.
We contacted Lance Armstrong this morning and are waiting for a response. We also contacted one of the ÖtillÖ race directors, Michael Lemmel, who this morning told us that he has no further knowledge of Armstrong’s plans. We haven’t spotted him on any ÖtillÖ start lists either, although with most of the season ahead, there’s still plenty of time for him to enter one of the World Series races and the mention of ÖtillÖ on his training log seems to indicate a clear intent.
ÖtillÖ sees competitors race across trails and swim between islands, in conditions that are beautiful yet tough. Image: Pierre Mangez/ÖtillÖ
If Armstrong has his sights set on the ÖtillÖ World Championship race in Sweden in September, which comprises 65km of technical trail running and 10km of tough sea swimming, then he will need to qualify.
With the director’s choice spots already chosen, he would either need to qualify by winning an ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Series race, accumulate points through merit races, or participate in seven races in 24 months (five ÖtillÖ and two merit races).
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We’ll keep you posted with any further updates on this story. In the meantime, what do you think? Would you want to see Lance Armstrong race ÖtillÖ? If so, who do you think would make a good swimrun partner for him? Post your comments below:
Is Lance Armstrong planning an ÖtillÖ debut in 2018? That’s certainly the suggestion on his Strava account, which this week has a session logged under the description ‘ÖtillÖ Training’.
Advertisement
Spotted by the Editor of our sister magazine ProCycling, the session shows Armstrong covering 6.8 miles around the Colorado River area of Austin on 24th April, with an average moving pace of 07:05/mile. See the session here.
ÖtillÖ (meaning ‘island to island’) is the Swedish originator of the sport of swimrun, which is increasing in popularity within the triathlon community. Armstrong famously competed in several triathlons before being banned from competitive sport following his doping confession.
His ban was lifted in 2016 but he has so far not returned to multisport, although he did win a 35km trail running race in California in 2015 which would indicate he would be a strong competitor. Any return to multisport is bound to polarise opinion however.
We contacted Lance Armstrong this morning and are waiting for a response. We also contacted one of the ÖtillÖ race directors, Michael Lemmel, who this morning told us that he has no further knowledge of Armstrong’s plans. We haven’t spotted him on any ÖtillÖ start lists either, although with most of the season ahead, there’s still plenty of time for him to enter one of the World Series races and the mention of ÖtillÖ on his training log seems to indicate a clear intent.
ÖtillÖ sees competitors race across trails and swim between islands, in conditions that are beautiful yet tough. Image: Pierre Mangez/ÖtillÖ
If Armstrong has his sights set on the ÖtillÖ World Championship race in Sweden in September, which comprises 65km of technical trail running and 10km of tough sea swimming, then he will need to qualify.
With the director’s choice spots already chosen, he would either need to qualify by winning an ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Series race, accumulate points through merit races, or participate in seven races in 24 months (five ÖtillÖ and two merit races).
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We’ll keep you posted with any further updates on this story. In the meantime, what do you think? Would you want to see Lance Armstrong race ÖtillÖ? If so, who do you think would make a good swimrun partner for him? Post your comments below:
Our sister title Bike Radar and manual makers Haynes have teamed up to create The Road Bike Manual app, a comprehensive guide to maintaining and repairing your bike, with step-to-step practical tutorials on everything from hubs to headsets, and everything in between.
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Priced £2.99 it includes 20 step-by-step videos, 50 sections of content and 40,000 words, plus new content updates every month, under the following sections; Pre-ride Checks, Drivetrain, Wheels, Frame, Brakes, Cockpit and ‘Get Me Home.’ For each of the jobs it tell you how long it will take and show you what tools you need to do it.
In particular the Get Me Home section covers emergency inner tube and tyre fixes using common objects you can find on the ground. You’ll also learn how to get home with a broken handle bar, or even a damaged chain or wheel.
From BikeRadar, the authority on all things bike, and Haynes, the most trusted name in manuals, The Road Bike Manual is the most thorough and comprehensive service and repair manual for your road bike.
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Get the Android app on Google Play Get the iOS app on iTunes
Our sister title Bike Radar and manual makers Haynes have teamed up to create The Road Bike Manual app, a comprehensive guide to maintaining and repairing your bike, with step-to-step practical tutorials on everything from hubs to headsets, and everything in between.
Advertisement
Priced £2.99 it includes 20 step-by-step videos, 50 sections of content and 40,000 words, plus new content updates every month, under the following sections; Pre-ride Checks, Drivetrain, Wheels, Frame, Brakes, Cockpit and ‘Get Me Home.’ For each of the jobs it tell you how long it will take and show you what tools you need to do it.
In particular the Get Me Home section covers emergency inner tube and tyre fixes using common objects you can find on the ground. You’ll also learn how to get home with a broken handle bar, or even a damaged chain or wheel.
From BikeRadar, the authority on all things bike, and Haynes, the most trusted name in manuals, The Road Bike Manual is the most thorough and comprehensive service and repair manual for your road bike.
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Get the Android app on Google Play Get the iOS app on iTunes
Riding high after victories in Abu Dhabi and the Commonwealth Games, the one to beat in Bermuda had to be South African Henri Schoeman – but would he be able to keep the rest at bay and claim two WTS wins in a row?
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The 50 elite men that made up the rest might not have included the Brownlees, but there was plenty of quality all the same with 2017 world champ Mario Mola, Schoeman’s team-mate Richard Murray, Norwegian Kristian Blummenfelt and the in-form Frenchman Vincent Luis fresh from a third place in Abu Dhabi, in the mix. But in the end it would prove to be a race no one could have predicted.
At 22C it would be a non-wetsuit swim in the North Atlantic, followed by a challenging hilly bike leg that would see 10 ascents of Corkscrew Hill. The four-lap 10km harbourside run then took place in Hamilton, the island’s capital.
At the start Schoeman laid down his intent early in the swim, taking the lead after about 500m, and never relinquishing it. And in the beginning of the bike leg it all looked good for the South African. Part of the leading group of 12, it looked like the pack could work well and maintain a lead over the rest, but this lead was short-lived with the infamous Corkscrew Hill taking its toll on the riders. By the middle of the second lap the group had swelled to around 18 and more, with no one looking to make a breakaway.
Then on the hill at the start of the third lap 21-year-old Norwegian Casper Stornes saw his chance to break away and by the end of the lap he had managed to establish a lead of 30secs over the chasers, a lead he extended to 37secs by the end of lap 4.
Strong cyclist Andreas Schilling from Denmark then made his break on the fifth lap and for the next three laps the two would lead the race, albeit with a big gap between them, but then
on the eighth lap Norwegians Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden thought they would try and join their compatriot on the podium and made their move, and overtook the Dane on the way into T2, 01:18 behind Stornes.
The Norwegians would start the run leg in the top three places, but could they hold their positions?
At the halfway point they were still looking strong and despite Mola’s best efforts, which saw him finish fourth, they would ensure a clean sweep for Norway with Blummenfelt taking second, 21secs behind Stornes, and Iden taking third.
What a historic day for Norway and triathlon.
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“When I saw the group let me go I thought this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance and I took it”, says Stornes.
Riding high after victories in Abu Dhabi and the Commonwealth Games, the one to beat in Bermuda had to be South African Henri Schoeman – but would he be able to keep the rest at bay and claim two WTS wins in a row?
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The 50 elite men that made up the rest might not have included the Brownlees, but there was plenty of quality all the same with 2017 world champ Mario Mola, Schoeman’s team-mate Richard Murray, Norwegian Kristian Blummenfelt and the in-form Frenchman Vincent Luis fresh from a third place in Abu Dhabi, in the mix. But in the end it would prove to be a race no one could have predicted.
At 22C it would be a non-wetsuit swim in the North Atlantic, followed by a challenging hilly bike leg that would see 10 ascents of Corkscrew Hill. The four-lap 10km harbourside run then took place in Hamilton, the island’s capital.
At the start Schoeman laid down his intent early in the swim, taking the lead after about 500m, and never relinquishing it. And in the beginning of the bike leg it all looked good for the South African. Part of the leading group of 12, it looked like the pack could work well and maintain a lead over the rest, but this lead was short-lived with the infamous Corkscrew Hill taking its toll on the riders. By the middle of the second lap the group had swelled to around 18 and more, with no one looking to make a breakaway.
Then on the hill at the start of the third lap 21-year-old Norwegian Casper Stornes saw his chance to break away and by the end of the lap he had managed to establish a lead of 30secs over the chasers, a lead he extended to 37secs by the end of lap 4.
Strong cyclist Andreas Schilling from Denmark then made his break on the fifth lap and for the next three laps the two would lead the race, albeit with a big gap between them, but then
on the eighth lap Norwegians Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden thought they would try and join their compatriot on the podium and made their move, and overtook the Dane on the way into T2, 01:18 behind Stornes.
The Norwegians would start the run leg in the top three places, but could they hold their positions?
At the halfway point they were still looking strong and despite Mola’s best efforts, which saw him finish fourth, they would ensure a clean sweep for Norway with Blummenfelt taking second, 21secs behind Stornes, and Iden taking third.
What a historic day for Norway and triathlon.
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“When I saw the group let me go I thought this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance and I took it”, says Stornes.
For the women’s WTS race in Bermuda all eyes were on one person only, reigning ITU and Commonwealth champion Bermudan Flora Duffy. Here Duffy would be racing on home soil at the inaugural WTS Bermuda, and this race, above all other WTS races, was the one she really wanted to win.
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Although the first WTS race in Abu Dhabi of the season did not go to plan, Duffy is the in-form athlete taking five WTS victories in 2017; and racing with the backing of the home crowds, the race should be hers for the taking…
The 31 other athletes trying to stop her taking the win included Brits Jodie Stimpson and Vicky Holland, WTS Abu Dhabi winner Rachel Klamer from The Netherlands, and American Katie Zaferes, back racing after her nasty fall in Abu Dhabi.
And the race started well for the Bermudan; she led the 1,500m non-wetsuit swim from the start, heading up a small group of five included USA athletes Kirsten Kasper and Summer Cook. Brit Vicky Holland was 19secs behind, leading the chase group.
The challenging bike leg, with its 10 ascents of Corkscrew Hill, would suit the 30-year-old Bermudan, renowned for her bike powers, and out on the bike, although American Kirsten Kasper tried to stay with her, it soon became the Duffy show after she made a break just before the start of the first ascent of Corkscrew Hill.
From then on there was no stopping the Bermudan. By the end of lap one she had a 29secs lead over a 14-strong chase group, which included Brits Holland and Stimpson, with nine more laps to go. To the delight of the cheering crowds she then extended to 37secs at the end of lap two, where the gap stayed for the next few laps.
Then during lap five she put her foot down and her lead increased to 54secs, and by the time she started the final bike lap she was up 01:23.
The local girl was in a league on her own but could she maintain the lead on the flattish, four-lap, 10km harbourside run in Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda?
The answer was yes. Although Katie Zapheres made a break from the chase, and then with 8km to go Vicky Holland ran into third position, there was no catching the Bermudan and victory was more or less assured for the home-grown hero, with the crowds cheering her every step.
These people are gonna make @floraduffy cry 🙂 #WTSBermuda pic.twitter.com/OP1YpQ6bmw
— TriathlonLIVE (@triathlonlive) April 28, 2018
However, the fight was truly on for second and third. Side by side Holland and Zapheres battled until the blue carpet when, in a sprint finish, Holland just managed to take it.
A tight photo finish between @KZaferes6 & @VixHolland #WTSBermuda pic.twitter.com/qL8FP1uEYe
— TriathlonLIVE (@triathlonlive) April 28, 2018
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But Duffy is in a league of her own and her sights will now be firmly on the world title – can she win it for a third successive year? Only a fool would bet against her.