Jessica Jacobs finished 6th at Quelle Challenge in Roth, Germany, with a time of 9:25:24, crossing the line as the first American female.  The iron distance race is known for its fast course and strong field, with many of the world’s top athletes appearing to compete for a piece of the $104,500 (€73,500) prize purse.

 

Following a personal best swim of 1:02:27, Jacobs started the bike feeling strong.  However, on a long descent the road began to curve and, while trying to brake, she lost control.  “Luckily I rolled with the fall and landed in the grass while my bike slammed into a pole,” Jacobs recalled.  “It took me about five minutes to straighten up my bars, collect my food that was scattered all over the road, and shake off the pain.”  She finished the bike in tenth place with a time of 5:22:41.

She also set another Ironman personal best posting a 3:11:00 marathon, beating her course record time at the 2009 Ironman Coeur d’Alene by one minute.  “Although I was nervous about the run, as I had just run Coeur d’Alene three weeks before, I felt great!”

 

Next up for Jacobs is Ironman Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin, on September 13, 2009.