Athletes were treated to almost perfect conditions as the 2015 British Triathlon Youth and Junior Super Series was drawn to a close in Leicestershire’s Mallory Park.

Athletes were treated to perfect conditions as the 2015 British Triathlon Youth and Junior Super Series drew to a close in Leicestershire’s Mallory Park on Sunday 6 September.

The final races of the 2015 British Triathlon Youth and Junior Super Series took place in the form of the British Triathlon U20’s Festival where this year’s winners were crowned. Junior athletes had the added pressure of ITU Junior World Championship selection upon them, promising a day of nail-biting competition. 

The youth female race saw a convincing win from Caitlin Roper (37:56), crossing the line 11 seconds clear of Emer Wintsch, in 38.07. Sinead Clark took bronze in 38.19. By picking up gold in Mallory, Roper also secured the British Triathlon Youth Super Series win.

She commented: “It feels great to win the Super Series overall. I knew I had to win here today to secure it, so I gave it all I had. There would have only been about a five-point difference if I’d have come second, so I had to dig in.

"The course is quite technical which was beneficial as it meant we had to work together and it showed who was strong and could work hard.

"The Super Series definitely brings the best athletes together and lets you compete on different course types. This race in particular I found quite challenging but that just brings your competitive side out.”

Imogen Moroney and Issy Morris took second and third place respectively in the women's British Triathlon Youth Super Series.

Having already secured the men's British Triathlon Youth Super Series title due to his hat-trick of wins across the season, Travis Bramley stamped his authority over the field to take his fourth gold in 34.10. Matthew Willis was close behind in 34.19, with Daniel Slater taking the final podium spot in 34.26.

Bramley said: “I wanted to try and play today a bit differently. I tried to attack on the bike a bit more as usually I stay quite safe and then run off the bike. We had an amazing group of three that just kept working and we managed to create such a gap. And because it was a technical course, it worked to our advantage to be in a smaller group. 

"It couldn’t have gone any better. There’s nothing as competitive as this where I’m from, so it’s great that we can come together to compete in the Super Series – there’s such a high standard.”

Matthew Willis took second overall in the men's British Triathlon Youth Super Series, with Frederick Webb claiming third spot. 

It came down to a two-horse race for the junior women, with Elizabeth Hood having the edge over Sophie Alden after a final sprint duel. Hood crossed the line in 1:06.01, with Alden following in 1:06.28. Kate Waugh climbed up the field over the run to take a last-minute third place in 1:07.28. 

Hood said: “I was so nervous – the whole way round it felt like cat and mouse. It was fun but I wasn’t expecting to win. I had a stitch on the second lap so I thought that might have been it at one point. 

"I got to the last lap and thought I have to push this now. Conditions were great. The bike route was good and we worked well together. 

"Being a qualifier for World Juniors, I’ll just have to wait and see if I’ve done enough.”

Podium positions reversed in the overall women's British Triathlon Junior Super Series rankings, with Waugh taking the title, Alden in second and Hood in third place.

The final race of the day witnessed the junior men go head-to-head, with Sam Dickinson playing to his run strengths to take the title in 58.40. Jimmy Kershaw pushed Dickinson all the way to the line, finishing second in 58.45. George Goodwin clocked 59.03 to take bronze.

Dickinson commented: “The swim was good and then a large chase pack formed. We got the gap down from 26 seconds to 14 in the end. Ben (Dijkstra) and I just trusted our run and when it got down to it, Ben went out hard. I stuck with him and then overtook on the second lap. 

"I wish I’d worked on my time more, but I was focussing on the win. Jimmy Kershaw pushed me all the way and I’m really pleased. 

"I didn’t have the best race in London, so it’s great to perform here today and show everyone what I can do.”

His win today helped Dickinson to the overall men's British Triathlon Junior Super Series title. Ben Dijkstra finished second in the standings with Alex West in third.

Two individual wins for the East Midlands helped them to retain their Inter Regional Championship title, the first region ever to do so. Collecting silver were the North West team, with the South West team in third. 

East Midlands Team Manager Hilary Johnson said: "I’m really proud of the athletes for all of their hard work throughout the year. I’m gobsmacked, we didn’t think we’d even make it onto the podium this year but to win again is incredible."

For full results of the British Triathlon Under 20’s Festival, please visit here.

Selection for the Great Britain team for the ITU Junior World Junior Championships will be announced in the coming week.