Kiwi Braden Currie has pulled off a sensational victory at Ironman New Zealand, winning the gruelling event in his first attempt at it.
Currie completed the event in 8:20:58, almost four minutes ahead of 12-time Ironman NZ champion Cameron Brown who charged home on the run but couldn't quite make up the deficit from a difficult bike leg.
Brown finished second with a time of 8:24:32 while Cyril Viennott finished third.
Currie admitted afterwards that he never thought he'd win the event this year, and says he raced the "race of his life".
"I had a game plan that I just wanted to come here and experience it in the flesh and next year was going to be my big focus race," said Currie.
Currie also confirmed he would take part in next year's event.
American Jocelyn McCauley was a winner of the women's race, dominated by overseas athletes.
Newshub.
