1. CHRISSIE WELLINGTON, 32, Solihull, GBR - Winner of all eight Iron races she's entered in her career, three of those victories were turned in in 2009, and all in sub-9 hour times. Her 8:31:59 at Roth borders on the incomprehensible. Though there is more female talent at the IM distance than ever before, the gulf between Chrissie and her pursuers is ridiculously large. Her average margin of victory in 2009 was 17:16.
2. EMMA MOFFATT, 25, Brisbane, AUS - Unquestionably the brightest female star in the ITU heavens at this point in time. Her wins at Gold Coast Worlds, Hy-Vee, Hamburg, Kitzbuhel and Washington DC (and 2nds at Mooloolaba and Tongyeong) convinced most observers that she is in the same league as Snowsill and Fernandez. Some go even further in their praise, suggesting that she (Moffatt) is in a league of her own.
3. JULIE DIBENS, 34, Bath, GBR (resides in Boulder, CO) - Ms. Versatility. Wins at Xterra Worlds, 70.3 Worlds and 5430 Half, plus podiums at Life Time Fitness, Toyota US Open, UK 70.3 and Boulder Peak were the highlights of her amazing '09 resume.
