Great Britain won two bronze medals at the ETU Triathlon Youth Relay Championships in Holten, Netherlands. Both the men’s and women’s teams finished third and fourth.
Billed as the race of future champions, Great Britain’s squad of 15 to 18 year olds this year was strong enough to select four relay teams. Each team consists of three athletes covering a mini triathlon before handing over to their team mate.
Simon Mills, British Triathlon Performance Pathway Manager, said: “The Great Britain teams were always in the race. There were some very strong performances from all of the athletes.
“This is the first time we’ve taken four teams and they delivered great results. Everyone worked together to bring out their best performances, and we could not have expected more from them.”
The women’s team consisted of Grace Cook, Megan McDonald and Sian Rainsley, who finished behind France and Russia. They were pushed hard by their own team mates, Sophie Alden, Leah Peploe and Elizabeth Hood, who finished fourth. However, each nation can only place one team in the overall results so the placing is not shown officially.
The men’s team of Kieran Lindars, Jimmy Kershaw and Miles Burton won bronze behind France and Spain, with the team of Jordan Hull, James Teagle and Jack Willis in fourth.
A similar relay format is being proposed for inclusion the Rio 2016 Olympic Games with teams of two men and two women racing together in a Mixed Relay format. Great Britain are the reigning ITU world champions and a decision on whether the event will be included in Rio will be made in August this year.
The ETU Triathlon Championships in Holten will feature the U23 event tomorrow where Tom Bishop will hope to continue the excellent form that has seen him win back-to-back British Triathlon Super Series titles. He is joined by twin brother, David, Iestyn Harrett and Beau Smith. Lois Rosindale is the lone British representative in the U23 women’s race.
Women’s results:
1. Team I France, FRA, 1:01:35
2. Team I Russia, RUS, 1:02:11
3. Team I Great Britain, GBR, 1:02:30
NC. Team II Great Britain, GBR, 1:02:52
Men’s results:
1. Team I France, FRA, 55:40
2. Team I Spain, ESP, 55:44
3. Team I Great Britain, GBR, 55:48
NC. Team II Great Britain, GBR, 56:23
