Finish report  for the South Africa Triathlon in 2001  

Nina Kraft of Germany stormed across the finishing line of the 2001 Isuzu Ironman South Africa Triathlon in 9 hours 33 minutes and 5 seconds to give Germany a double win after her fellow countryman Lothar Leder won the male professional race an hour earlier.
Kraft, who still looked very fit after the race, was delighted with her performance. Kraft was the first woman out of the water this morning and actually came in sixth overall - three places in front of Leder. "I had a brilliant swim and a super run. It was about time that I win an Ironman. I am tired and am looking forward to putting my feet up, but I actually still cannot believe I won," said an elated Kraft. Kraft is an Olympic distance swimmer who learnt to swim in the ocean at the age of three.
Kraft stated that she felt strong throughout the race and knew that she could take the title, because she realised that Kathleen Smet of Belgium, who was in second position, has never run a full marathon before. "My mental state was right and I was convinced that my legs would last, but the wind was terrifying. I have never experienced something like it."
She lost 3 kilogrammes during the race, but said that she took in more than enough fluids. "Normally the liquids on offer during races give me cramps, but this stuff really agreed with me."
Kathleen Smet of Belgium finished second and Bianca van Dijk from the Netherlands came in third. Kraft's winning time was more than twenty minutes faster than that of last year's winner Paula Newby-Fraser.

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