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Disappointment, frustration, drafting, and crashes mark 2009 Ironman 70.3 World Championships
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Laura Bennett Flle Photo
The 2009 70.3 Ironman World Championships proved to be an exciting race that smashed course records, but was also met with anger and disappointment by some of the top professional triathletes.
Right after the race, 3rd place American winner Matthew Reed didn't mince his words when he wrote on twitter.
"Clearwater is not a True test of swim, Bike, run. Drafting is unreal. Pros, Age groupers. It's a real Shame."
Reports of pervasive and blatant drafting on the Clearwater race course are nothing new, but this year the roving packs of drafting cyclist seemed to have directly effected the outcome of the women's race.
Fifth placed professional triathlete Laura Bennett expressed her frustration after the race by tweeting,
"Psyched to get 5th, but disappointed a World Championship Event can give the pro women their own race! Thanks to all my peeps for the cheers."
Bennett was penalized on the bike for drafting, but after the race she said she absolutely did not draft with the implication that she was caught in a pack of drafting and speedy male athletes.
Her husband Greg Bennett confirmed this possibility when he wrote on twitter:
"Congrats to Laura 5th A bull*^$% draft penalty she got as all us guys came around! I guess they don't want the girls to have their own race!"
In the meantime past 70.3 Ironman Champion Joanna Zeiger crashed and broke her clavicle on bike portion of the race.
"The insanity continues. Was having a stellar day until I was pulled off bike by an aid station volunteer," she tweeted after the crash.
"Clavicle is broken through. Bruised ribs, (not sure how many), hip contusion. I will be back stronger than ever!!!!," she added after confirming the broken bone.
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