TOP STORIES 2008

1. Wellington confirms her status as the one to beat. She successfully challenged and defended her World Championship title and won races in Australia, Europe and the US with relative ease. She has reset the standard for a second year in a row.

2. Yvonne Van Vlerken sets a new long-distance triathlon record, and takes second in her Kona debut. It's unlikely the new mark will remain for the 14-year period as Paula Newby-Fraser's did.

3. The Sub Nine field expanded at such a fast rate that it was almost hard to keep the stats up to date. It's another sign of the depth of the women's field.

4. Racing long and a lot proved to be a successful strategy for a range of top athletes both in and out of Team TBB. The particular success of TBB also showed the value of training with other top athletes.

5. Natascha Badmann's long and dominating reign appears to be over. The now 42-year-old athlete dropped out during the run in Kona in October, and wasn't able to train at the level to which she was accustomed for most of the year because of the injury suffered after crashing into a road pylon in Kona in 2007.

Year in Review

The last 12 months marked a transition for pro women as the depth of the field helped propel their performances to their highest level yet.

In the next few days, we'll review the achievements of 2008 and set the stage for what lies ahead in 2009.

From English to English

In three months time, Chrissie Wellington has signed up with a third coach. This time it's Simon Lessing, who recently retired as a pro himself.

See Triathlete magazine

Ferguson goes Sub Nine in WA

For the second time this season, Gina Ferguson broke the 9-hour mark. She went 8.59:24.

8:59:24 50:30 4:58:12 3:10:41

Ferguson led from start to finish.

2008-2009 Winners

Iron distance race winners for the 2008-2009 season.

See

Who's on first?

So Hillary Biscay, Belinda Granger and Chrissie Wellington have left Brett Sutton and Team TBB to join Cliff English.

There's a story on slowtwitch and also on xtri.

Who is he? Well, he may be best known for coaching Sam McGlone. In the past he's also coached Peter Reid (in the pool) and Melanie McQuaid and Leanda Cave.

Sara Gross - Top 20

"Into T2 and I was really feeling like crap physically and mentally. Its hard to be in that much pain for that long. So I ran. As I got going i knew that i wasnt on fire, but that if kept up the pace it might just be enough to squeak into the top 20. And it was. Phew.

The long and the short of it is that i came to this race to learn so i could do well here in future years, and learn i did! Mission accomplished. So I should be happy right?"

Linsey - Top American - 5th

"To see a dream of mine become a reality is just an indescribable feeling. From the start of the year, I have always been focused on a top-ten performance here in Hawaii. While I credit several factors to the success of my day, when it came time for the cannon to blow, I knew I was as prepared as ever to `crack a big one'."

Linsey Corbin

Gina - exhausted in 8th

"I was exhausted at the finish line. I have never been exhausted before and have always finished with plenty in reserve so at least I know I had given it my all so I am happy. I have a lot now that I can take away and try and improve upon for next year."

Gina Ferguson

Jo Lawn didn't give up - 14th

"For me Kona was and is everything ..."

Joanna Lawn