It was a busy weekend of triathlon, packed with success for British athletes at World and European Cups, European Championships, Beijing and IRONMAN events.
Beijing International Triathlon
The non-drafting Beijing International Triathlon course suited British athletes, including the 280 steps they had to climb on the steep run course! Jonathan Brownlee broke free of Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) and Henri Schoeman (RSA) to win gold, and Alistair Brownlee worked hard to secure fourth, with training partner Mark Buckingham just missing out on a top ten finish in eleventh.
Non Stanford had a remarkable swim, arguably her best ever, exiting with super-swimmer, Lucy Hall, some 70 seconds up on the rest of the field. On the run, Hall started 30 seconds up on Stanford in the lead. But Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) was again in brilliant form. She made it back to back weekend wins by running three minutes quicker than the rest of the field. Stanford overtook Hall for second, and Hall claimed the bronze medal.
Madrid ETU Challenge Long Distance Triathlon European Championships
Laura Siddall finished the long course race as the new European Champion with two minutes separating her and second place, Alexandra Tondeur (BEL). Siddall set the fastest bike leg, which gave her a healthy advantage on the field.
Siddall, who is originally from Nottinghamshire, raced as an Age Grouper when the ITU World Championships where held in London in 2013 and turned professional afterwards. This is her third major long-distance win of the season as she prepares to go to Kona next month.
Weihai ITU Triathlon World Cup
In only his second ever Olympic distance race, Alex Yee won a senior bronze medal against a strong field. Some attacking bike moves that put him in a good position to launch a fast 10km run.
He said: “I only did my first Olympic distance last week and I probably didn’t give it as much respect as I should have, but I’m really pleased to come away with that. I was on the limit, had cramp everywhere on the last lap but I hung on and I’m over the moon.”
Alanya ETU Triathlon European Cup
It’s been a tough year for Grant Sheldon, but he launched himself back on to the podium with bronze in Alanya. He’s now fired up for some more late-season World Cup racing. Nathan Tweedie finished 21st with Kieran Lindars in 31st.
In the women’s race Chloe Pollard and Emily Alderson finished 12th and 13th respectively.
Alanya ETU Triathlon Junior European Cup
With a third-place finish at the Under 20’s festival the weekend before, Guy Evans-Haggerty went into the race in Turkey in good form. This translated into a second place in Turkey with team mate, Daniel Dixon, third. Cameron Main was close behind in fifth.
IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth
With wet, windy and cold conditions in Weymouth, the swim was shortened to 950 metres, and several athletes were forced off the course with punctures and or hypothermia. India Lee put on a show, however, finishing three minutes ahead of Nikki Bartlett and booking a slot at next year’s IRONMAN 70.3 world championships. Fenella Langridge finished third.
In the men’s race, Elliot Smales, a training partner of Tom Bishop in Leeds, achieved his third 70.3 win of the year. Sam Pictor and Sam Proctor finished second and third.
