Geelong reviewed

It was a hot day at the recent 70.3 race in Geelong, Australia in more ways than one.

It was one of the highest profile pro women fields outside a major championship. There was Yvonne van Vlerken, the Dutch woman who broke Paula Newby-Fraser's iron distance record last season, as well as the current ITU World Champ Samantha Warriner. Also on the start line were Ironman champions in Kate Major, Charlotte Paul and Rebekah Keat.

Warriner won the race in 4:14:33, almost 10 minutes faster than a year ago with a margin of victory of just 52 seconds. In comparison, Mirinda Carfrae won a year earlier in 4:24:27 with almost three minutes to spare.

In reviewing the top 10 women across the line, there was a gap of 16 minutes and 25 seconds this year. A year ago the difference was 19 minutes and 24 seconds. This year nine women crossed the line in less than 4:30; just three did a year ago.

Third place finisher Keat posted the fastest run split on the day in 1:20:44 - one second faster than Warriner.