If there were any doubts that Michael Raelert is a first rate triathlete in all three disciplines, his second-best 22:38 swim was an excellent opening argument.

Perhaps the only argument against the tremendous popularity of Rohto Ironman California 70.3 is the cold water in March. The solution? Full wetsuits and neoprene caps.

Kyle Leto, Michael Raelert, Timothy O'Donnell and Matt Reed round the corner at the end of the 1.2-mile swim in Oceanside Harbor.

Top pro woman hits the end of swim ramp running.

Mirinda Carfrae's 2:33:14 bike was fourth-best behind Heather Wurtele, Angela Naeth and Sam McGlone and brought her to T2 within a minute of leader Leanda Cave. But her mighty 1:17:34 run - perhaps the best in Ironman 70.3 history - sealed the deal.

Sam McGlone's third-best 2:33:04 bike brought her into T2 second, just ahead of Carfrae.

Michael Raelert's race-best 2:15:31 bike split topped mighty mite bike wunderkind Andrew Yoder and erased any doubts that he won Clearwater without a strong bike. But it still was two minutes slower than Matt Reed's mighty 2009 race record split.

Andrew Yoder emerged from the swim 49 seconds back of Raelert, and put his chips all in with a red hot bike. The gutsy 20-year-old passed Raelert about 30km into the ride, but eventually melted, notching second-best bike and DNF'd the run.

Heather Wurtele of Canada stretched while summiting the big bike hill on her way to a second-best 2:32:51 bike split. But that was the highlight - she DNF'd the run.

Matt Reed felt off his game on the bike, giving up 3:52 to Raelert, but he outran the man who posted a 1:09 at Clearwater - 1:15:49 to 1:17:15. For his pains, Matty took second.

The steep downhill on the bike has a speed limit and is a no passing zone, complete with bold directional signals marking the final left turn.

One turn away from T2.

Richie Cunningham, a consistently fast Ironman 70.3 competitor, drinks on the run on his way to a third-best 1:15:37 half marathon to take 4th overall.

The well marked run lanes at Oceanside Harbor. Photograph by Caue Suplicy

Anthony Toth gulps down some water on his way to a 1:27:42 run.

Michael Raelert cruises out front after his dazzling bike, so his 1:17:15 run and 30-seconds milking the love from the fans in the finish chute still left him with a 2:50 margin of victory. Still sporting the sexy, low-slung run attire he wore in Clearwater.

Tim DeBoom cruises to a 1:19:54 run that brought him home 10th. Just another warm-up hit out to start the season for the Ironman legend.

Rasmus Henning posted a second-best 1:14:10 run -- well off Matt Reed's 2009 course record split -- to bring the Dashing Dane home 3rd.

Michael Raelert probably dawdled away 30 seconds high-fiving the crowd before crossing the line, but his 3:58:27 never had as chance to break Matt Reed's 3:51:50 2009 course record.

Tim O'Donnell had a hearty laugh after his 5th place 4:03:21 finish.