Britain’s Non Stanford turned bad fortune into good with a second place finish at the ITU World Triathlon Stockholm having broken her arm only a month ago. The 24 year old is now ranked third in the world, just thirteen points behind the leader in the ITU World Triathlon Series with London’s Grand Final set to decide the 2013 World Champions in three weeks time.
There was more good news with Vicky Holland finishing fourth, her best ever Series finish, and Jodie Stimpson fifth. Gwen Jorgenson (USA) took gold and now leads the world rankings.
Stanford came out of the swim a minute behind the lead group and worked hard with Anne Haug (Ger) and Lisa Norden (Swe) to close them down. Andrea Hewitt (NZL) and Great Britain’s Vanessa Raw then broke away to establish a forty second lead going into the run.
Jorgenson burst out of the bike to run transition intent on catching the leaders and was followed by a group that included Stanford. Jorgenson looked supreme on the run, passing Raw and Hewitt, as did Stanford shortly after and Vicky Holland was never far behind.
Jorgensen took her 3rd win of the Series this year with Stanford second and Anne Haug third.
Non Stanford commented: “I was really not sure how my swim was going, I haven’t really been swimming well these last two weeks at all because I’ve been swimming single arm for so long.”
She added: “I had to ride for my life and there were four or five of us working really hard so I was relieved when we caught that group and I’m absolutely delighted. It’s all about timing for London and fingers crossed it goes even better.”
London 2012 Olympian Holland was delighted with fourth place. She said: “I’m really happy with my race today. I felt strong on all three disciplines.”
She added: “I had a great camp in St Moritz with the GB team and felt like I produced something good today, my best ever Series result so I’m ecstatic”
Jodie Stimpson was disappointed with fifth, demonstrating the high standards she has set for herself this season. She said: “My legs just didn’t turn up today but it’s looking good for the final. I’ll recover from this one and give it my all for London.”
Britain’s Katie Hewison achieved another strong performance in 12th place and Vanessa Raw made it five British athletes in the top twenty with 18th place.
Britain’s men compete tomorrow with Olympic medallists, Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee in good shape, following the British team camp in St Moritz. The men’s and women’s races will be shown on BBC2 from 2.50pm.
The PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final London takes place in Hyde Park, 11-15 September featuring elite junior, U23, paratriathlon and senior triathletes alongside amateur athletes all racing to be crowned 2013 ITU world champions. Spectators are encouraged to watch the event free of charge and get behind the British athletes racing on home soil.
Results
1. Gwen Jorgensen, USA, 1:55:31
2. Non Stanford, GBR, 1:56:20
3. Anne Haug, GER, 1:56:45
4. Vicky Holland, GBR, 1:57:02
5. Jodie Stimpson, GBR, 1:57:06
12. Katie Hewison, GBR, 1:57:58
18. Vanessa Raw, GBR, 1:58:44
29. Natalie Milne, GBR, 2:02:31
30. Emma Pallant, GBR, 2:03:05
