The Ironman 70.3 Augusta race debuted Sunday, September 27th with TYR-sponsored Desiree Ficker remaining consistent throughout her bike and run to clinch the third place spot in Augusta, GA. The weather affecting Atlanta did not put a damper on the water conditions in the Savannah River for the 1.2-mile swim to start off the morning’s event. Taking advantage early in the point-to-point swim course was TYR’s Pip Taylor who emerged first on the women’s side in the Tracer Sayonara in 21:01. Laura Bennett and Kelly Williamson followed steadily behind. Taking the athletes through two states on the bike, the cycling course was a loop along the countryside of South Carolina, then circling back to Georgia along the Savannah River and the race’s trademark city of Augusta. TYR’s Magali Tisseyre had the second fastest cycle split, going 2:27:49 and advancing further on the field. Taylor was close behind in 2:28:31. Taylor entered the 13.1-mile run through downtown Augusta ahead of the pack, with an emerging and strong Bennett and Williamson sneaking up. It was Ficker who crept up on the field, however, claiming the fastest split in 1:22:39. She was unable to catch Bennett and Williamson, and crossed in a strong third (4:30:47). Tisseyre finished in fifth, while Taylor faded after mile 10 to come in eighth. Continue to visit TYR.com for updates on Ficker, Taylor, and Tisseyre as they begin to close in on their 2009 race season, as well as the entire TYR-sponsored triathlon team.