Alors que Mirinda Carfrae semble avoir la voie libre avec la retraite de Chrissie Wellington, c’est avec une certaine surprise (ou pas) qu’on apprend sa séparation avec Siri Lindley. Quelques petits faits, l’année prochaine, on devrait voir Melissa Rollinson s’essayer en Ironman. Ses performances font peur. Une titre de champions du monde en 70.3 après seulement 3 courses dans cette distance et des temps en course à pied jamais vu. En fait, personne ne connait son vrai potentiel parce qu’elle n’a jamais été poussé à la limite.
Même si vous lisez le communiqué officiel, généralement lors d’une séparation, il y a un des 2 camps qui n’est plus satisfait. Est-ce le fait que Mirinda n’aimait pas que Siri est de plus en plus d’athlètes dont ses rivales les plus sérieuses (leanda Cave, Magali Tisseyre), est-elle frustré par son manque de progression en vélo? Ou disont que lorsque tu t’entraines à Boulder et que ton coach est dans la région de Los Angeles, ce n’est pas idéal surtout quand tu as dans ton entourage Dave Scott, Craig Alexander ou comme petit ami Tim O’Donnell.
Il y a une certaine rumeur persistante qui parle d’une insatisfaction et de son manque de progression en vélo…
Voici le communiqué officiel:
Ironman world champion Mirinda Carfrae and her long-time coach Siri Lindley have ended their professional partnership. After seven successful years, the pair agreed they have outgrown their coach/athlete relationship. Their lives, commitments and goals have evolved to where they each need to move in different directions in 2012. They will both need to move in different directions to fulfill differing professional goals and commitments in 2012 and beyond.
During the span of their relationship, Carfrae and Lindley earned numerous world titles together, including the Ironman 70.3 World Championships (2009) and the coveted Ironman World Championship title in Kona (2010), with a record setting run split. Carfrae went on to place second in Kona in 2011, breaking her own run course record in a time of 2:52:09. Under Lindley’s guidance, Carfrae earned three of the fastest top-10 times ever recorded in Kona. At age 30, and with over 15 Ironman 70.3 wins and three podium finishes at the Ironman World Championships to date, Carfrae intends to continue her domination of the sport well into the next decade.
Lindley, a two-time ITU world champion, recognized Carfrae’s raw talent as an emerging Under-23 athlete at ITU World Championships. Following Carfrae’s win at Nice in 2004 and on the heels of her second place finish at ITU Long Distance World Championships in 2005, the two set out on the road to Kona together, a distance that was new to both of them but in which they were confident Carfrae would excel. During this journey Carfrae emerged not only as the fastest runner in the sport, but also as the most consistent competitor at every distance. Lindley’s fun-loving and passionate approach to coaching combined with Carfrae’s self- discipline, desire and commitment to the sport she loves has indeed proved a winning combination.
“Siri Lindley is an incredible coach. She has been my trusted mentor and at my side through seven years of truly tough work and amazing accomplishments. She always had a plan in place and made working together both strategic and fun. We’ve finally outgrown our professional relationship, but our friendship and mutual respect will last forever,” said Carfrae.
Lindley will continue to coach her Sirius team of athletes and is thrilled to have had the opportunity to learn and grow through her successful collaboration with Carfrae. “Mirinda is the prime example of an athlete having a huge dream, and being willing to do all the work necessary, to make that dream come true. With hard work and determination and incredible commitment, she has achieved these dreams, and will continue to do so in the future. She has become one of the greatest athletes in our sport and I am so very proud of her. I thank Mirinda for her incredible commitment, her passion and the inspiration she has provided me as a coach. It’s been the most incredible, and satisfying journey,” said a thankful Siri.
Carfrae is currently in Noosa, Australia preparing for the inaugural Ironman Melbourne on March 25. Other highlights of her 2012 schedule will include the Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship in Des Moines, Iowa, Ironman 70.3 New Orleans, Ironman 70.3 Eagleman, Ironman 70.3 Lake Stevens, Rev3 Quassy and the Ironman World Championships in Kona.