Desiree Ficker kicks off the new year with a title in the Ironman 70.3 South Africa, the first Ironman competition of 2008. The inaugural event drew 900 triathletes to the warm waters of Orient Beach, East London for the 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km. Desiree was the race favorite, right from the start. She came out of the swim leg behind nine competitors. Needing to make up time, Desiree leaped right into second place on the cycling leg of the race. Determined to win, Desiree took the lead at 52km to win the race twelve minutes ahead of the runner up in a time of 4:46:46. Congratulations Desiree!