Simon Whitfield, Jill Savege Win Victoria ITU International Race

Victoria, Canada; June 29, 2003: The weather conditions in Victoria were ideal this morning for the 2003 Canadian Triathlon Championships and ITU International Race.

The men took to the water of Thetis Lake just prior to the women for the two lap swim course. The swim exit saw Victoria resident Brent McMahon lead a group of 6 men out of the water. This lead pack was quickly caught by Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist Simon Whitfield, Seth Wealing of the United States and Paul Tichelaar of Canada.

This lead pack was one minute up onto the chase pack into the second transition. Onto the run course; Simon, Seth and Bevan Docherty of New Zealand took an early lead on the first lap of the run. By the second lap, and for much of the six lap run course the lead was shared by Simon and Bevan. On the final lap Simon took control of the lead to finish first, and is once again the Canadian Triathlon Champion. Bevan Docherty (NZL) was second and Seth Wealing (USA) rounded off the podium. Brent McMahon and Paul Tichelaar were the second and third Canadians finishing fourth and fifth overall.

The women’s race saw a group of five women exit the water together including Canadian Jill Savege and American Susie Gallucci. Jill and Susie led the first few laps of the bike, ahead of a strong chase pack of 12 women. On the third lap Susie crashed on a technical turn leaving Jill alone in the lead. Jill managed to hold off the chase pack and had a 25 second lead into the second transition.

The chase pack included Carol Montgomery (CAN), Gillian Moody (CAN) and Becky Gibbs (CAN). Following a slow transition Carol quickly ran through the group of women and maintained 2^nd place for the rest of the run while Gillian held onto the third position for most of the run.

Top Ten Results:

Women

1. Jill Savege (CAN) 2:07: 54

2. Carol Montgomery (CAN) 2:08:52

3. Gillian Moody (CAN) 2:09: 45

4. Becky Gibs Lavelle (USA) 2:10:07

5. Lauren Groves (CAN) 2:10:23

6. Kelly Rea (USA) 2:10:28

7. Samantha McGlone (CAN) 2:10:54

8. Maxine Seear (AUS) 2:11:09

9. Tara Ross (CAN) 2:11:58

10. Tereza Macel (ITU) 2:12:33

Men

1. Simon Whitfield (CAN) 1:53: 59

2. Bevan Docherty (NZL) 1:54:11

3. Seth Wealing (USA) 1:54:45

4. Brent McMahon (CAN) 1:55:25

5. Paul Tichelaar (CAN) 1:56:18

6. Colin Edwards (CAN) 1:57:09

7. Japer Blake (CAN) 1:57:49

8. Kevin Carter (USA) 1:57:58

9. Sean Bechtel (CAN) 1:58:29

10. 10. Peter Reid (CAN) 1:58:49