Czech
Athletes Sweep 11th Belgrade Triathlon Renata Berkova
and Filip Ospaly Win
Belgrade
the "beautiful" welcomed ITU for its 11th
Triathlon in the magnificent Ada Ciganlija park .
The bank of the rowing basin usually crowded by sun
fans saw an unusual activity when hundreds of athletes
of all ages invaded the park to compete in the different
triathlons organized by the Yugoslav Triathlon Union
(YUTU) under the smiling leadership of Dragana Kamenica,
the General secretary, fondly nicknamed "General
Kamenica". From
the airport welcome to the award ceremony, nothing
escaped her attention and friendly direction.
Kids,
citizens, amateur and local championships enjoyed
the clear waters, the shady trails and the warm support
of friendly spectators. The event also hosted an ETU
Junior Cup Triathlon where Junior athlete's from Europe
competed in the European Triathlon Union's qualify
for the coming ITU European Championship to be held
in Gyor, Hungary in a few weeks. Young talents from
10 countries were on the starting line.
In
the Junior Men's division, Daniel Guzman Alvarez of
Spain outclassed his fellows competitors with a splendid
run, while Anastasia Jatsenko of the Ukraine took
the gold for the Junior Women
ETU Junior Cup Podium:
Men:
1. Guzman Alvarez ESP 1:02:49,
2. Isaac Lopez Carrion ESP 1:04:39, -
3. Thomas Springer GER 1:04:40
Women:
1. Anastasia Jatsenko UKR 1:10:48
2. Marta Jimenez Jimenez ESP 1:11:34
3. Inna Tsiganok UKR 1:12:44
At
12:00 sharp, the elite athletes in the ITU Points
race dove into the crystal clear lake. In the men's
event, Filip Ospaly of the Czech Republic took charge
of the group at the front from the swim start to the
run. Once on his feet, there was no question about
who was in control as Ospaly cruised to a 27 second
victory over Dominik Rechsteiner of Switzerland. Danyl
Supanov, racing under the ITU flag put in an incredible
performance to place 3rd, especially considering he
was only able to borrow a bike 15 minutes before the
start of the race, as his was lost enroute from Kazahkstan.
The
women's podium was fiercely contested by Renata Berkova
of the Czech Repul, Svetlana Brkic of Yugoslavia,
plus Swiss team-mates Sybille Matter and Mariam Moser,
who finish the swim and bike segments with almost
a 2 minute' advantage over the remaining field.
During
the run, Renata Berkova constantly increased her advantage
over Sibylle Matter, as the two finish in that order.
The rising star from Switzerland, Nicola Spirig, World
Junior Champion in both Duathlon and Triathlon showed
her running skills to run through the field for the
final step on the podium. Tamara Kozulina of the Ukraine
was 4th and local hero Svetlana Brkic fading under
the hot sun managed to hang on for 5th.
ITU
Technical Delegate Michel Gignoux expressed his thanks
to the event organiser stating, "Everyone on
the finish line congratulated the Belgrade Triathlon
Club and Yugoslavian Triathlon Union for this admirably
organized event.
ITU
Belgrade International Triathlon Podiums:
Men:
1. Filip Ospaly CZE. 1:49:13
2. Dominik Rechteiner SUI. 1:49:30
3. Danyl Supanov ITU 1:49:35
Women:
4. Renata Berkova CZE 2:02:20
5. Sybille Matter SUI 2:04:03
6. Nicola Spirig SUI 2:04:43
