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World number 1, Gwen Jorgensen wins Tri Liverpool

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Gwen Jorgensen celebrated victory at Tri Liverpool today (Sunday 10 August) in a gripping race that saw British junior, Sophie Coldwell push the current World number 1 all the way in the heart of Liverpool Docks.

The race, which took place in tough weather conditions, saw Jessica Learmonth and Sophie Coldwell lead the field out of the swim, with the two athletes working tirelessly on the bike before Sophie Coldwell broke away on the run. 
 
Gwen Jorgensen led the chase group on the bike; however it wasn’t until the final lap on the run that the current world number 1 was able to catch the young British athlete who was full of confidence after winning the recent ETU Junior Triathlon European Cup in Geneva.
 
Gwen crossed the line in 01:02.38 with Sophie Coldwell second in 01:03.13. Jessica Learmonth was third in 01:03.36.
 
Gwen Jorgensen had a great experience here at Tri Liverpool, commenting: “I have been here for two days now and I have been able to walk around and see some of the city and it’s been wonderful; yesterday it was beautiful outside and I was able to experience some of the city then. I didn’t really know what to expect coming here. Sophie and Jessica had a great swim and really pushed on the bike and got some more time on my group, I just worked hard and tried to stay up there.”
 
A delighted runner-up, Sophie commented: “It was good to get away on the swim, me and Jess got away and we worked really well together, it was such a good race. When we got on the bike, there was only the two of us so the work rate was high, so we didn’t get that cold.”
 
Commenting on the event itself, Sophie added: It’s great, I raced here last year, the set-up is like an international race with how it’s organised, so it’s a really good event to race in.”
 
The men’s elite race, which was scheduled to take place after the women’s event, had to be  cancelled due to severe (and deteriorating) weather conditions that would have jeopardised the safety of athletes.
 
Earlier in the day, the event also hosted the British Paratriathlon Championships as many of Britain’s world-class paratriathletes turned out for their final race before the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships in Edmonton later this month.
 
Dave Ellis PT5, guided by Luke Watson, was the first paratriathlete across the finish line at Tri Liverpool today and was delighted to be back in Liverpool, commenting: “It’s really good, I didn’t think there would be that much support out there with the bad weather, but still there are lots of people.”
 
Looking ahead to Edmonton, Dave added: “I am training really well for the world championships later this month and hopefully all will be good and I can deliver another winning performance in Edmonton.”
 
Faye McClelland PT4 was the first female paratriathlete across the finish line, adding: “I felt really strong throughout the whole race and was really happy with the outcome, it’s a shame that Lauren is not here as it would have been one last blast before the world championships in a few weeks.”
 
Over 1,000 triathletes, including celebrities and local politicians, took part in Tri Liverpool – Liverpool’s dockside triathlon event that also hosted the final qualifier for the Great Britain Age-Group Team at the 2015 Geneva ETU Triathlon European Championships. 
 
Tri Liverpool, host of the British Triathlon Championships, was organised by Lagadere Unlimited Events and British Triathlon in partnership with Liverpool City Council.
 

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