Judith Corachan (ESP) and JOE SKIPPER (GBR) Take Titles at Ironman VR5 Pro Challenge Weekend
By Juno Tanaka
May 5, 2020
– Nearly 15,000 athletes from 123 nations registered to compete in IRONMAN VR5
– More than 85,000 people from around the globe have now joined IRONMAN Virtual Club platform
TAMPA, Fla. (May 3, 2020) – The fifth edition of the IRONMAN® VR™ Pro Challenge saw four professional women compete Saturday and four professional men compete Sunday on the IRONMAN 70.3 Boulder 90 km bike course utilizing Official Virtual Cycling partner ROUVY’s augmented reality. It was Judith Corachan of Spain winning the women’s race and Joe Skipper of Great Britain taking the top honors in the men’s race.
In what was the closest finish contested to date, Judith Corachan took the top spot by a mere two seconds with a finishing time of 2:24:12, while Jackie Hering (USA) finished in second place with a time of 2:24:14 in the professional women’s race. Paula Finlay (CAN) took third position with a finishing time of 2:30:23 while Kimberley Morrison (GBR) rounded out the group clocking a time of 2:38:28.
The full broadcast of the women’s IRONMAN VR5 Pro Challenge can be viewed, HERE.
Professional women’s results:
| BIKE TIME | ||
| 1. Judith Corachan | ESP | 2:24:12 |
| 2. Jackie Hering | USA | 2:24:14 |
| 3. Paula Finlay | CAN | 2:30:23 |
| 4. Kimberley Morrison | GBR | 2:38:28 |
On Sunday, it was the professional men’s turn to hit the course where Joe Skipper (GBR) was the victor, completing the IRONMAN 70.3 Boulder 90 km bike course in a time of 2:05:51. Professional athlete, Eneko Llanos (ESP) came in second with a time of 2:11:19 while Eric Lagerstrom (USA), finished in a time of 2:16:44. Bart Aernouts (BEL) unfortunately had connectivity issues with the race but was able to jump back in the competition unofficially upon resolving the issue. While not part of the official IRONMAN VR5 Pro Challenge, age-grouper Will Draper from Great Britain scored the second-fastest time of the day with a 2:08:20. Draper, like all other registered age-group athletes in IRONMAN VR, had the ability to ride alongside the Pros by logging onto the ROUVY platform.
The full broadcast of the men’s IRONMAN VR5 Pro Challenge can be viewed, HERE.
Professional men’s results:
| BIKE TIME | ||
| 1. Joe Skipper | GBR | 02:05:51 |
| 2. Eneko Llanos | ESP | 02:11:19 |
| 3. Eric Lagerstrom | USA | 02:16:44 |
| 4. Bart Aernouts | BEL | Unofficial |
In total, nearly 15,000 athletes from more than 123 nations and all 50 states set out to participate in the IRONMAN VR5, an increase of 4,000 athletes registered to compete in the first offering of an IRONMAN 70.3 half distance race simulation, IRONMAN VR1. IRONMAN VR5 requires athletes to complete a 5 km Run, 90 km Ride, and 21 km Run between Friday, May 1 at 2 p.m. ET (6 p.m. GMT) and race close this evening, Sunday, May 3 at 7:59 p.m. ET (11:59 p.m. GMT). Competitors can complete the three segments in any order and are not required to do the segments consecutively. Athletes are able to compete anywhere, indoors or outdoors. Bringing the IRONMAN community together virtually, the IRONMAN® Virtual Club™ continues to grow and now has more than 85,000 members on the platform with thousands completing IRONMAN Virtual Club Challenges since its recent launch.
IRONMAN VR5 leaderboard updates can be found by visiting the IRONMANVR Facebook Page.
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