Daniela Ryf wins season opener in Oceanside, USA

Daniela Ryf has started the season with a strong win at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside setting a course record and finishing well ahead of her competitors.

Starting the race with a solid swim, Daniela exited the water 30 seconds behind the four-time Ironman winner and showed her  strength very early on the bike, taking the lead: "I didn't feel so fresh on the course at the beginning. The rhythm came a little later. That was because during the last ten days I was a little sick and couldn't train that hard".

On the hard, beautiful and hilly course Ryf extended her lead and didn't give it up until the finish. In 4:09:19 hours the Swiss Sportswoman of the Year (2018) crossed the finish line with a course record. For Ryf this result was not expected: "I am extremely happy and surprised that I was so well on the day. I really wasn't fit in the days before - and during the competition wasn't completely recovered but I felt much better than I expected. I'm happy that everything worked out so well."

Daniela Ryf now trains for two weeks in Santa Monica, travels to Texas on April 23rd and takes part in the North American Championships at the Ironman in Texas on April 27th.