Photos: PTO
By Kent Gray/Triathlon.kiwi
Braden Currie has paid tribute to Jan Frodeno after the German superstar marked his second to last start as a pro with victory in the U.S. Open.
Just a few weeks shy of his 42nd birthday, Frodeno ran away with the 100km race in Milwaukee in a time of 3:14:11 with American Jason West (3:14:39) and Norwegian star Kristian Blummenfelt (3:14:49) rounding out the podium.
Currie finished 21st in 3:26:11 in his first PTO start save for last year’s Collins Cup. It wasn’t the race the Kiwi No.1 wanted but hinted at form in his legs for his key target of 2023 – the Ironman World Championships in Nice.
Frodeno will round out her remarkable career in Nice on September 10 and got a run on Currie’s Instagram page post Milwaukee.
“Better to celebrate this guy’s efforts today than mine! My legs were still in Aussie, and to be honest my head was already in Europe,” Currie wrote.
“I’m happy to have one of these races under my belt and I’d love the chance to race more. But honestly really couldn’t be more stoked to see @janfrodeno win this one! Not sure how he can retire off the back of it but that’s a first world Jan problem.”
Frodeno replied with: “Thanks legend! Time to live up to my role model Dad💪”
Rebecca Clarke, meanwhile, placed 16th in the women’s race won by America Taylor Knibb in 3:25:58. Aussie Ashleigh Gentle (3:33:49) and Canadian Paula Findlay (3:37:43) claimed the other medals with Clarke, third out of the water, finishing in 3:50:28.
