Triathlon: Nikki Butterfield Places 2nd In Germany
Despite top local triathlete Tyler Butterfield being sick and unable to start, ‘Team Butterfield’ was still well represented with his wife Nikki Butterfield picking up a second place finish in the Darmstadt 5i50 in Germany this past weekend.
The couple is pictured below along with their young daughter Savana who is accompanying her parents on their tour.
After five years out of the sport to pursue her Olympic dream as a cyclist, and just 5 months after having her first child, Nikki Butterfield has returned to her origins as a triathlete with a podium finish in Germany at the Darmstadt 5i50, the first Ironman branded non-drafting Olympic distance event in Europe.
After much coaxing by her husband Tyler, the Australian born athlete raced her first professional triathlon since August 2005. The time-trial style event consisted of a 1500 meter swim, a 40 kilometer bike, and 10 kilometer run. Mrs Butterfield completed the event in 2.05.09 .
The eventual winner, Radka Vodickova from Czechoslovakia, was by far the fastest swimmer with a swim time almost 3 minutes faster than any other woman in the race. The remainder of the field were within 30 seconds of each other after the swim.
Mrs Butterfield said “being on the podium in my first race back is well beyond my expectations, it is a big confidence booster for me, I was worried I would be way out the back after so many years away from the sport”.
Both Butterfields plan to race in Klagenfurt, Austria this weekend in another 5i50 event.
