Aussies rule Subic triathlon

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Malcolm Lyons and Melissa Ashton gave a glimpse of Australia’s vaunted superiority as they posted a double in contrasting fashion yesterday in the rain-soaked ninth Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) where 208 triathletes from nine countries saw action.

Lyons, expecting to land in the top 25 in the world on his only fourth year in the triathlon circle, had to ward off the strong challenge of Japan’s Ryosuke Yamamoto en route to his ascent to the throne vacated by back-to-back winner Daniel Lee Chi Wo of Hong Kong.

Ashton, ranked No. 11 female in the world and No. 3 in Australia, triumphed with ease. Coming out of the water ahead of the opposition she erected a huge one minute and nine seconds edge she stretched methodically as she raced against the clock.

Lyons and Ashton, both law students at University of Technology-Sydney, clocked one hour 53 minutes and 29 seconds and 2:03:34, respectively, in this ITU Point race and Asia Cup event sponsored by Speedo, Enervon, Philippine Sports Commission, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Gerry’s Grill, Nestlé Power Bar, Hotel La Corona, Asia Pacific Insulation, Velocity Bike and POC.

Ashton erased the female all comers record of 2:04:35 chalked up by compatriot 2000 world champion Nicole Hackett in last year’s SUBIT. Lyons was one minute 24 seconds off Takumi Obara’s all comers mark of 1:52:10 registered in the 1997 Asian Triathlon Championship also at Subic Bay.

Davao City’s George Vilog, former junior champion and record holder, finally emerged as champion in the Enervon National Triathlon Championship after being tipped among the top favorites the past three stagings.

Quezon City’s Ani Karina de Leon, last year’s runner-up, led all the way and crowned herself the local triathlon queen.

Vilog and De Leon who were P17,000 richer with the P10,000 bonus for submitting times inside 2:05 and 2:29, respectively, covered the 1.5-kilometer swim, 40-km bike and 10-km bike grind in 2:02-52 and 2:27:34.