Daniela Ryf became the inaugural Challenge Dubai champion on the first step\u00a0to what she hopes will land her a $1,000,000 payday by the end of the year.<\/p>\n
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The Swiss triathlete must have performed a jig of delight when she woke to fiercely windy conditions in the Emirates\u2019 state tailor-made for the all-round strength she\u2019s honed under Australian coach Brett Sutton. <\/p>\n
And she took full advantage by powering through to the fastest bike split (2:18) and run (1:17) to win by over four minutes in 4:05:01 from Canadian Heather Wurtele and Denmark\u2019s Challenge Bahrain champion Helle Frederiksen.<\/p>\n
Ryf, 27, the reigning Ironman 70.3 champion will now prioritise Challenge Oman in the summer and if successful Bahrain in December as she chases the biggest prize purse ever staked in the sport. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll discuss it with my coach, he\u2019s kind of the boss,\u201d she said. \u201cThe priority is Kona but the Triple Crown is a great opportunity and I\u2019ve put down a great platform. I hope to go to Oman and step up another level.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really hard and choppy, but I had a fantastic swim, and then on the bike I was really struggling at the start,\u201d she continued. \u201cI couldn\u2019t keep pace and had to drop, but after about 40km I started to feel better. In the run, I knew if I could keep the speed I\u2019d be ok.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Jodie Swallow was the highest-placed British woman in fourth after emerging second from the water 78secs behind the express-paced US star Lauren Brandon. After a strong bike leg in 2:22 Swallow just couldn\u2019t hold off the charging Wurtele or Frederiksen on the beach-side run.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not really happy, I wanted a podium, but you can only do your best,\u201d she said. \u201cThere was a bit of drafting going on but the right girl won. I didn\u2019t know there was anyone in front coming out of the swim. It was tough and I couldn\u2019t see anything because of the waves. I just felt flat on the run. What do I put that down to? It\u2019s February.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Leanda Cave (4:25) was also in the prize money in eighth, with Alice Hector (4:34) rounding out the British contingent in 13th. <\/p>\n<\/section>\n