In the swimming leg Ricarda already left her mark and came out of the water in first place after 25:44 minutes, closely followed by Anja Beranek and Julia Gajer. Beranek who eventually won the race quickly rode ahead on the bike while Ricarda Lisk on her STEVENS Super Trofeo and other chasers were fighting for the podium places.

About halftime within the bike leg she was in fifth position and entered the transition zone after 2:42:54. In the concluding half marathon Ricarda ran the second best time in 1:21:09 hours and came closer to her rivals while further securing her fifth place.

By winning decisive points she advanced to 20th place in the overall Ironman 70.3 ranking, so she was awarded the qualification for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Australia in September.

Ricarda said: ”I went all-out in all three disciplines, so I am pleased with the result. Swimming and running went really well. Until the 70.3 European Championships in Wiesbaden and later the Australia Worlds I will work mostly on my cycling since here I have the most potential. I am especially happy about being qualified for the Worlds this early. That makes planning the season a lot easier.”

But firstly there are further competitions ahead like the Grand Prix Valence, France in June, a league race in Schömberg, Germany as well as the middle distance triathlon in Chiemsee, Germany.

The IRONMAN 70.3 Kraichgau results:
1. Anja Beranek (4:23:07 h)
2. Yvonne van Vlerken (4:30:07)
3. Astrid Stienen (4:31:43 h)
4. Natascha Schmitt (4:34:28 h)
5. Ricarda Lisk 4:36:08 h (0:25:44 – 2:42:54 – 1:21:09 h)