Baldwin takes 18-24 category win at Ironman Austria |13 July 2010

Baldwin was the star in his age category, finishing with a cumulative time of 9 hours, 31 minutes, 33 seconds (9h31:33) – a personal best – to be ranked 94th overall out of over 2,200 athletes (including professionals).

There were 50 competitors in the 18-24 age division and Baldwin started the race in seventh place. With only one qualifying slot available, he ran his way to first position and crossed the finish line carrying a Seychelles flag, which has become his trademark.

His split times were: 2.4-mile swim: 1h00:34 (average 1m35s/100m), 112-mile cycle 4h58:31 (average 36.18 km/ph) and 26.2-mile run 3h26:11 (average 4m53s/km).

“This is without doubt my most significant sporting achievement to date,” Baldwin told Sports Nation.

“Qualifying for the Ford Ironman World Championships has been a dream of mine since I started doing triathlons and it will be an honour to represent Seychelles. I can't wait until the race,” he added.

One of the most popular races on the Ironman circuit, Ironman Austria attracted a good field of athletes because it is an official qualifier for the World Championships in Hawaii.

Belgian Marino Vanhoenacker was the winner of the open category of the Ironman Austria with 7h52:05, his compatriot Dennis Devrient was second and Austrian Michael Weiss third.

In the female category, Eva Dollinger won in front of her home crowd, finishing ahead of Dane Karina Ottosen and German Beate Görtz.

It is reported that 1,800 of the world’s best professional and amateur triathletes will compete at the race in Hawaii, which was the birthplace of Ironman in 1978. 

The Ironman World Championships is the most prestigious race in the sport of triathlon, attracting huge worldwide media attention. It is widely recognised around the world as one of the toughest races on the planet, with strong winds and temperatures often reaching 40 degrees. 

G. G.