What started out as ideal conditions for racing turned into a grueling test of will and guts. Jan Sibbersen and Simon Lessing set the pace out on the swim putting 5 1/2 minutes into Chris before the start of the bike. Chris' biking power slowly moved him from 17th out of the water to second with only Lessing pushing the pace at the front. There was added pressure on both Lieto and Lessing, whom had been hampered with injuries and poor performances at Ironman events earlier this year, so neither had yet qualified for Kona. Coming over Richter pass Simon still had the lead but the gap was now closing fast. Going over the Yellow Lake climb Chris had taken the lead and began pulling away from Lessing.

Chris rolled into T2 with a 4:25:26 bike split, besting Thomas Hellriegel’s nine year course record. With almost three minutes on Lessing, Chris began the marathon. At this point the weather turned on the athletes. The winds picked up and the temperature rose. Lessing captured Chris at around mile 4, but never pulled away as he appeared to be struggling as well. By mile 17 both athletes were walking at times. It was a battle of Wills. Who could gut it out and take the day. Both pretty much solidifying their Kona slots, now it was for bragging rights and the win at the 23rd Ironman Canada.

Chris began to put a gap on Simon at around mile 21, but Olympic Silver medalist Stephan Vuckovic was moving quickly through the field and was now a potential threat for the win. Vuckovic caught Simon and was making a charge. Chris gutted it out, walking and running at times in the last 3 miles. He crossed the line at 8:33:32. This year's Ironman Canada Champion.

A full race report from Chris will follow...