With the tape cut on day one of Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds, it was Britain’s next generation of talent in the spotlight in Roundhay Park.
First in the water were the TriStar 2 boys. Battling the rainy conditions, it was Thomas Dixon who took the title, crossing the line 11 seconds clear of Freddie Lucas in second place. Harry Courtney was close behind to claim the remaining medal.
Dixon said: “It’s quite good to be the first person over the line in the whole event. I’ve been working on my bike quite a bit and today I was first off and just held it from there. The weather wasn’t great but it didn’t really effect me.”
It was Amelia Crispin who took the TriStar 2 girls title, seeing off challenges from Millie Bell and Sonja De Koning.
Up an age group, the TriStar 3 top-spots were taken by Joe Sherman and Lizzy Edge. Sherman was followed home by Kai Boggon and Daniel Saunders, with Edge being trailed by Martha Calton-Seal and Charlotte Edwards.
Edge said: “I’m really happy. I can second last year so it’s good to be able to win. Today was a big target of mine, so I’m pleased with how it went.”
Saturday also featured the next instalment of the British Triathlon Youth and Junior Super Series. The third of six races in the series, the Leeds leg wasn’t short of excitement.
Making his 2017 series debut, Marcus Dey managed to dip 7 seconds clear of Daniel Dixon after going almost stride for stride on the run. Noah Canby took the final podium spot in the Youth Boy’s race.
Dey commented: “The race played out quite well. I was out of the swim first, which was where I wanted to be. It was then just me and Dan (Dixon) working together and we managed to get a bit of a lead on the rest of the field. I just had the kick at the end of the run.”
I knew I had to get ahead on the run, but forgot about the hill at the start! But I did enjoy it – it’s nice to race here and I had fun.
It was yet another emphatic victory for Libby Coleman, marking her third win in as many races and soaring even further ahead in the Youth Girls rankings. Ellie Hobbs and Barbara De Koning took silver and bronze, respectively.
The Juniors rounded off a fantastic day of racing here in Roundhay. Sam Hart took the title was following a swift run. Further results from this race are being verified due to an error.
England Talent Squad member Lizzy Hood managed a superb win, just as the rain began to die down. Sinead Clark was awarded the silver medal, with Maddie Henderson taking bronze.
Hood added: “It was challenging! I had the worst swim – my goggles came off at the start and I had to stop and put them back on. It was lovely to be able to ride around the park, but I struggled to get my speed up because of all the dead turns. I knew I had to get ahead on the run, but forgot about the hill at the start! But I did enjoy it – it’s nice to race here and I had fun.”
For full results, please visit here.
