Queenstowner Fiona Gallagher’s ‘‘absolutely buzzing’’ after finishing second-fastest female and convincing 25-29 age-group winner in the
recent full Ironman New Zealand triathlon in Taupō.
Though the event — a 3.8km swim, 180km bike leg and marathon — was shorn of pros, the 29-year-old was only 14 minutes behind world age-group (35-39) champ, Kiwi Vanessa Murray, whom she calls ‘‘a huge inspiration’’.
‘‘I didn’t think I’d get so close to her, so that’s a good confidence-booster’’, says Gallagher, who won her age group race by a remarkable
one hour and 20 minutes.
In just her second full Ironman, the Irish-born athlete was also thrilled to break 10 hours, finishing 9hr 55min in ‘‘absolutely wild’’ weather — ‘‘I’ve never raced in anything like it’’.
Coached by Wānaka’s Tim Brazier, she puts her success down to training consistency.
‘‘I never miss training, and that’s probably the big thing.’’
Gallagher trains 16 to 20 hours a week — ‘‘that’s been consistent for a couple of years, and I’m realising it takes that long, plus some, to get to the level you want to get to’’.
Having a great environment to train in is ‘‘also a big thing’’.
Her next race, on January 21, is the Tauranga Half, where she’ll be in an elite field for the first time.
Other locals competing in the full Ironman NZ were Aaron Fleming and Joe Sutheran, while Tamsin Browne and Paul Preston did the half.
