Vicky Holland demonstrated excellent form to win in wintery conditions at the ITU World Triathlon Edmonton. The 29 year old won by a convincing margin in the last race before the Grand Final in Chicago in two weeks time.
Racing over the sprint distance, Helen Jenkins was the fastest of the British athletes in the 750m swim. She exited the water in third place with Holland two places behind her. Non Stanford was 50 seconds back.
Holland and Jenkins rode with a lead group on the bike through terrible conditions, including heavy rain at times, and an air temperature of only 7.6degrees Celsius. Onto the 5km run, Holland took up the lead early on and looked smooth and in control all the way to the finishing tape, taking a comfortable win.
Jenkins struggled on the run, but Stanford ran through the field into sixth position.
Holland’s win moves her into fifth in the overall Series standings with Gwen Jorgensen (USA) in a seemingly unassailable lead. However, Holland’s focus at the Grand Final will be Olympic selection rather than Series rankings. A podium finish in Chicago will secure Rio selection.
Holland said: “It was really tough conditions out there and I think it was survival of the strongest. I kept working hard on the bike just to keep myself warm. I had a few problems in T2 but once I got going I felt ok.”
She added: “Chicago is the aim and I need to get on the podium to tick the boxes for the British selection policy for Rio.”
Richard Murray (RSA) won the men’s race just ahead of Javier Gomez (ESP). Tom Bishop was impressive leading much of the bike leg, he finished 11th. Adam Bowden was 27th.
The ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Chicago takes place 15-19 September and incorporates the Senior, Junior, U23, Paratriathlon and Amateur world championships.
Results: ITU World Triathlon Edmonton: 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run
Elite women:
1. Vicky Holland, GBR, 58:55
2. Flora Duffy BER, 59:04
3. Gillian Backhouse, AUS, 59:10
6. Non Stanford, GBR, 59:44
27. Helen Jenkins, GBR, 1:01:39
Elite men:
1. Richard Murray, RSA, 53:19
2. Javier Gomez, ESP, 53:23
3. Mario Mola, ESP, 53:34
11. Thomas Bishop, GBR, 53:59
27. Adam Bowden, GBR, 54:47
