Las Vegas 70.3

Located at the casino capital of the world, the 70.3 Worlds were always going to be flash.  "Vegas always live up to its reputation. Everything was big, hot and windy!" Commented Lawn.

Since Ironman NZ, Lawn has focused on 70.3 races (half ironman distance) with a string of wins at Port Macquarie 70.3 and Western Australia 70.3 in May, then backing them up with another at the Korea 70.3 in July, in the lead up to Las Vegas last weekend.  "It was something new for me this year, so I decided to take up my slot and race the 70.3 world championships. I like to race in hot and windy places and Vegas was exactly this. Even though the forecast was very very very kind to us on race day, but a couple of days prior to the race we had temperatures of 105!  Actually I really wouldn't have enjoyed race day as much as I did if it was over 100!! That is just crazy.... But it so could have been like that......phew for me and phew for everyone!" reflected Lawn.

Kiwi Korea double Cameron Brown and Jo Lawn

The Ironman specialist raced to a very creditable 5^th against the world's best half ironman triathletes.

"After spending the past 6 weeks in Boulder preparing for 70.3 and Kona (Ironman World Champs) it was great to finally get to race a world championship half ironman. I felt good in the race especially coming down from altitude, breathing was easy and no problem at all. One thing which I was trying to find was the fast and speedy turnover needed now for these races!!  I could go all day long but that last little bit wasn't there.  But that is fantastic as now the tables have turned and it is all about Kona Hawaii!"

The 7x Ironman NZ Champion made the cut for Kona under the new qualifying system just weeks ago.  She is more than ready for the challenge over Hawaii's lava lands, under the scorching heat, strong winds and stuff competition in early October.  "After finding out I was in for the BIG dance (Ironman World Championships) on  August 30th, nothing has really changed, I can't cram training in, I am happy and excited like I am doing my first ironman!" commented Lawn as she recovers from Las Vagas.

"I am now already in Kona, recovering from Vegas and there is no better way than swimming in the ocean to refresh one's mind and body!!"

"Training will begin this week, but I think after 28 ironman's my body already knows the way."

Jo wishes to thank everyone "for all your well wishes and support after qualifying for KONA!!!!! And now with a TOP five in another World Champs I am feeling very happy."

"To my sponsors again, the team we have is strong, thank you for taking part!!!"