Winless in 2014, Warrimoo native Sam Appleton has surprised many - including himself - by winning his fourth Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific event so far this year, in Cairns on June 13.
The 24-year-old produced his fastest times yet in the cycling (90km) and running (21.1km) legs to finish in 3:48:55, leaving five-time world champion Craig Alexander (second), his own coach and reigning Asia-Pacific champion Tim Reed (third) and multiple race winners Tim Berkel and Clayton Fettell in his wake.
In the process, he earned valuable qualification points towards the 2015 Ironman 70.3 [half distance] world championships to be hosted by Austria in late August.
It builds on his recent wins in Huskisson, Batemans Bay and Busselton and a second placing in Geelong, where he was narrowly beaten by Alexander.
"I honestly never thought I would have lined up against guys like that and beaten them," Appleton said.
"Even being mentioned in the same sentence as these guys is something I am still getting used to.
"I pushed the whole time out there, I felt really good and I'm stoked to win."
Appleton said the 1.9km swim leg, his least favourite discipline, was even more challenging than usual due to choppy waters and windy conditions in Cairns, but he felt encouraged by being able to stay near the leaders.
"I was happy to emerge from the murky drink in third, then I wanted to try a similar tactic on the bike that I employed in Busselton, to try and get a break at the beginning.
"We had discussed this pre-race and I was excited it was going to plan."
Appleton pedalled hard to clock 2:08.21 and lead Alexander and Reed by 2:32 heading into the run, with Berkel a further 1:45 behind.
The experienced trio were unable to bridge the gap, but Appleton said he did not feel comfortable until the final 5km.
"Tim didn't give me any advice while he still thought he had a chance, but after 10km he started giving me some encouragement.
"With the running speed of the guys chasing, it [a lead] can be eradicated very quickly if I was even slightly off my game. I was ecstatic to break the tape first."
Appleton, who has been based in Byron Bay since April, ended up finishing a healthy four minutes and two seconds ahead of Alexander.
After his Cairns win, he flew to Boulder, Colorado where he will do high altitude training in preparation for the Vineman 70.3 Ironman event in Sonoma County, California on July 12.
