American Tim DeBoom won the March 6 Ironman New Zealand in a time of 8:32:41, a 13 second victory over fast closing Cameron Brown of New Zealand.  This was Tim's first Ironman victory after 5 races in Hawaii and a fourth place finish in last year's Ironman New Zealand.  Here is a brief interview with Tim regarding the race, the upcoming season, comments about drug use in the sport, and the reason his brother Tony showed up for Powerman Honolulu. 

duathlon.com:  How did it feel to finally win an Ironman?

DeBoom:  It just felt like it was time. I had   doubts about  myself going in because it was my first race of the season.   I wasn't quite sure what to expect.

 duathlon.com:  Did you have any idea Cameron Brown was closing on you?

DeBoom:  I didn't know he was coming. I knew he was back there but I didn't't know he was that close. At 1 kilometer  to go I turned around and saw the motor bike. I picked it up a bit. I felt real steady the whole way and I finished strong so that's all I could ask for.

 duathlon.com:  About 80 miles into the bike leg you received a drafting penalty (as did Scott Ballance), which required you to stop and put both feet on the ground and then serve a 3 minute penalty in the bike to run transition.   How did this affect your race? 

DeBoom:  I was surprised by the penalty, but if you get upset it just hurts your race.  I changed my game plan a little bit but you pretty much have to stick to your plan. I felt I was putting a little hurt into my legs after the penalty, more than if I wouldn' have got the penalty.  [after the penalty DeBoom quickly caught and passed the group he had been riding with]

 duathlon.com:  How does Ironman New Zealand compare in difficulty to Hawaii?

DeBoom:  They are both different. Hawaii is always hard because it is hot and  windy, but I am always in better shape. Going into New Zealand your fitness is very undetermined. They are just different races.  This year it [New Zealand] rained the entire day. It was miserable. It ranged from sprinkles to showers.  

duathlon.com:  What are your racing plans for the rest of the year?

DeBoom:  I am doing St. Anthony's on April 24, then Wildflower right after. Then the rest of my schedule depends on whether  I make the Pan Am Team.  I will be racing Ironman Hawaii.  I have to go to the races where I can get the most payoff because I can't afford to go to all the races. 

 duathlon.com:  Leading up to the race you made some comments regarding drugs in the sport, which were printed and caused a stir from those that disagreed with you and then those that agreed with you.   What type of reaction did you get?

DeBoom:  The comments that were printed were misquoted and taken out of context.  That is why I haven't responded.  It was nice to have people sticking up for me.  I originally made the comments on a radio show.

duathlon.com:  What was your brother Tony doing racing last week's Powerman Honolulu (where he finished 7th)?

DeBoom:  He has a girlfriend over there.  He called me up and told me he was going to do the race.  He was sick and he didn't have his racing equipment.  

Tim is sponsored by Polo Sport, Litespeed, and Champion Nutrition.  Polo Sport will be featuring him in an ad that will soon appear in Sports Illustrated, Rolling Stone, and Men's Health.