One day before the celebration of the 25th edition of the Club la Santa Ironman Lanzarote we want to make a small tribute to the Spanish winners: Maribel Blanco, Eneko Llanos y Víctor del Corral
Maribel is one of the great pioneers of Spanish triathlon, was the first to compete in a JJOO (only woman in Sidney'00) and also to win a test of the Ironman circuit, specifically the Ironman of Lanzarote in 2002, a victory she repeated in 2003 .
In the 2002 year his victory was a surprise, as he had not prepared the test thoroughly. He went to dispute because he knew the island of Spanish concentrations and he was excited to compete. He based his victory on everything thanks to marking the best time in cycling, where he rode the 7 'lost in swimming with the best swimmer, the Danish Lisbeth Kristensen and also finished with the best partial on foot.
It invested a total time of 10: 11: 15. In 2003 his career was different, he came out in the lead after swimming, but on bike the German Ute Schaefer told him to hunt and arrived at the T2 with 10 'over Maribel, who thanks to mark the best time in the marathon took the victory by second time.
I could not miss in the record of the best Spanish long distance triathlete of all time two victories in the Ironman of Lanzarote. The first was in 2007, Eneko came out of the water in a group of 6 units ... but in the cycling segment broke the race coming to the T2 with 10 'advantage over the second classified.
In the marathon Eneko was dedicated to administer the advantage and managed to take the victory. Second was the mythical Luc Van Lierde, the first European to win the IM of Hawaii. In 2010 in his second victory the race was similar to that of Maribel'03, Eneko had to overcome on foot more than 13 'to take the victory.
The Catalan was the last winner in "La Isla" for 4 years ago. His competition was similar to that of the first triumphs of Eneko and Maribel, that is to say Víctor He scored the best partial in the cycling segment, he arrived first at the T2 ... and then in the marathon he dedicated himself to controlling the rest of the rivals, although in his case, it was still more, he scored the best partial and took the victory against Stephen Baylis for almost 9minutes.
Finally we want to also mention the rest of Spaniards who have been podium ever in Lanzarote: Felix Javier Martínez it was 3º in two editions, 2003 and 2004. Miquel Blanchart 2º, in 2013 and 2014, and Saleta Castro 3ª in 2013.
Virginia Berasategui was the winner of the test in 2004 and 2005. Sanctioned for doping in 2014 this year returns to competition in age groups.
In addition to the three winners and the three triathletes that have been podiums, we also want to mention all the Spaniards who have been TOP10 ever in Lanzarote, here we show you the list:
(From 1992 to 1997, nor in 1999 and 2000 there was no Spanish TOP10 PRO in Lanzarote)
Foto Maribel Blanco http://www.webdelanzarote.com// Foto Eneko Llanos www.enekollanos.com / Foto Victor Corral Facebook
"Skechers Perfomance, Official sponsor of running shoes on the Ironman European Tour "