You wait a whole career to win and Ironman... and then you win two in three months! The North American Championship, Ironman Mont-Tremblant, Canada proved to be a happy hunting ground for Australina Luke Bell who added to his win at Ironman Australia in May with another here (and a $25,000 prize purse), in what was - as we forecast - pretty close racing all day. Also winning her second Ironman of the year (but eighth in total), was the always impressive Mary Beth Ellis (USA) who once again has continued her 'unbeaten outside of Kona' streak going in Ironman racing. Having finished fifth last year on the big island, Beth Ellis will be a serious podium contender this October.

A great (but in the end, slightly frustrating!) race for Liz Blatchford, in only her second Ironman. After winning on her debut in Cairns, Blatchford put in a very strong performance on a tougher course to finish fourth - the podium positions so close though, that she was less than a minute away from second. Still, Blatchford needed to secure points to qualify for Kona and she has done that with plenty to spare too. A great effort with, to me, clear signs of improvement since that Cairns race. Strong across all three disciplines, Blatchford has a real future in the Ironman scene.

Daniel Halksworth also travelled to Canada, backing up after his win at Ironman UK just two weeks ago, in search of those qualifying points at what was effectively 'last chance saloon' for Kona 2013. He didn't just achieve that, he put in a great race, strong all day to also finish fourth. He can rightly be very happy with his racing efforts in August 2013.

Ironman Mont-Tremblant, Sweden - Sunday 18th August 2013
2.4 mile / 112 mile / 26.2 miles
North American Championship

Paul Amey finished 11th (8:51:31), finishing with one of the fastest marathon runs of the day (2:55:56)