The next generation of British triathletes were in action as the British Triathlon Super Series kick-started a weekend of swim, bike, run action at AJ Bell 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series Sunderland.
In the Youth Open race, Jasper Adamson, who races in the Youth B category, came across the line in first place with a time of 00:28:10.
He was joined by Youth A athlete Arthur Ballard in second place as fellow Youth B athlete Tom Clark took third spot. The Youth Female race saw Annabelle Souter take the top step on the podium, as fellow Youth A athlete Eloise Foster crossed just four second behind her.
Youth B athlete Jessica Heeps was the next to cross the line as she completed the podium places.
Adamson said: “It was pretty good. The sea swim is always quite tough as you’ve got the waves against you, especially on the way out. The bike pack was working pretty well, we manged to get four or five of us pulling and I just thought I’d break at the end of the bike and take the run out hard. I got a gap and just went with it.
“It’s good racing on the same course that the elite athletes will use. It gives everyone around this age the chance to see what they are working towards. It’s motivating to see the people you aspire to be racing on the same course as you because you just feel like you’re one step closer to getting there yourself.”
Souter added: “It feels really good. I had a tough swim, I kept swallowing water but then I had a good bike and run, I’m just really happy.
“It was cool using the course the elites will be using, I can’t wait to stay and watch them.”
The Senior Open category, which also included Junior Open triathletes, was won by local athlete Dan Dixon, who came across the line in 01:18:27.
The next to cross the line was Harry Leleu with Chris Perham a further six second back in third. The highest placed Junior athlete was Oliver Mills who finished 16th.
Like the Senior Open race, Junior Female athletes were involved in the Open Female race. Jess Fullagar was the first to cross the line with a 27 second advantage after a strong bike leg. Tilly Anema then outsprinted Daisy Davies to take second place. Issy Hayes was the first Junior Female athlete to cross the finish line in 01:32:32.
Dixon said: “It’s awesome to win at a home race. I am spending a lot of time racing abroad so to race at a home event with my friends and family here cheering me on is really special.
“To be honest that was the strongest field we’ve had for a long time. To have a field that’s strong here in Sunderland is absolutely awesome. When you win in a strong field it always feels a bit better.”
Fullagar said: “It feels pretty special. I won here last year, so I had fond memories. With it being a world qualifier, it meant a lot for me to come and race. So, to put together a full race I am pretty happy.
“I like a hard race. I am not always super confident in my running ability, so I wanted to make it as hard as possible. I managed to break away so I was happy with it.”
To learn more about the British Triathlon Super Series click here.
You’ll be able to see all the action from AJ Bell 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series Sunderland live on the BBC from 13:30 Saturday 29 July and from 13:00 Sunday 30 July. Click here to see how you can watch the action.
Check out the full podium list for each category below
Youth A Open: 1st Arthur Ballard, 2nd Tristan Robin, 3rd Liam Conway
Youth B Open: 1st Jasper Adamson, 2nd Tom Clark, 3rd Rory Bryant
Youth A Female: 1st Annabelle Souter, 2nd Eloise Foster, 3rd Florence Salmon
Youth B Female: 1st Jessica Heeps, 2nd Talia Hughes, 3rd Ella Chalmers
Junior Open: 1st Oliver Mills, 2nd Josh Cumberland, 3rd Deri McCluskey
Junior Female: 1st Issy Hayes, 2nd Emily Crookes, 3rd Eve Whitaker
Senior Open: 1st Dan Dixon, 2nd Harry Leleu, 3rd Chris Perham
Senior Female: 1st Jess Fullagar, 2nd Tilly Anema, 3rd Daisy Davies
