ITU Triathlon World Championships - WomenAs anticipated, a group of swim specialists formed during the 1500 metreswim leg, including Nicole Hackett and Loretta Harrop (AUS), SheilaTaormina, Laura Reback, Barbara Lindquist and, surprisingly, Joanna Zeiger(USA), to complete the swim in 18:46.

The pace of the front swimmers impacted the whole field with a far greaterspread than is often seen in women's ITU racing. A large second groupemerged from the swim, including race favourites Lindley, Michellie Jones(AUS), Silvia Gemignani (ITA), Jill Savege (CAN) and Rina Hill (NZL), around30 seconds down.

Importantly for the outcome of the race, Joelle Franzmann (GER) and EvelynWilliams (NZL) ran into the swim to bike transition together andsubsequently formed the core of a group that would ride a remarkable time of1:02:40 on a technical, hilly and slippery six lap, 40 kilometre course. A further minute behind, was Canada's hope, Carol Montgomery.

Once on the bike, Zeiger was dropped from the first group, who set aboutdefending their lead. Later Zeiger said, "My goal was to stay upright, andthe lead pack just didn't feel right. I think it was a safe and smart movefor me to go back to the chase pack."

Meanwhile Williams and Franzmann worked togther with Kathleen Smet (BEL) andDominique Donner (RSA) to merge with the chase pack and produce the fastestbike splits of the day. In pouring rain, handling skills became essential.

As the main group swept through the transition and main spectator zone, theathletes faced a technical combination of tight corners. At only the end ofthe first lap of the bike leg, this produced a disappointment for AkikoSekine (JPN) who had proven excellent form leading into the WorldChampionships, as she slid around the corner and fell.

At the start of lap three, the now large chase group were treated to theirfirst glimpse of the leaders, as the two passed closely in oppositedirections through the transition area. The lead group, sensing the threatattempted to increase the pace.

"This is the World Championships," said defending champion, Hackett, beforethe race. "Every athlete here wants to win and will put everything into thisrace. Last year I was lucky enough to collect a title and I hope that I cando that again."

However at the top of a large climb and two kilometres later Hackett slipped out on a corner, falling and bringing Harrop and Taormina down with her,while Reback and Lindquist missed the accident. Harrop and Taormina regathered, however Hackett was unable to continue withsuspected concussion and grazing. The crash affected the confidence of theleaders and within four kilometres, the chasing bunch brought the originalfirst three groups together. Suddenly Lindley was the obvious choice forvictory, having shown form as the winner of the ITU Aquathlon WorldChampionships on Wednesday and the most recent two ITU World Cup events inRennes, France and Toronto, Canada.

With a slick transition, Lindley didn't give any other athlete anopportunity to lead the race, and quickly established a commanding lead. Fora moment it seemed that she may have started out too fast, as she grimacedand seemed to slow after around four kilometres, however Lindley foundanother level to win from Jones.
"I felt so great out there today. Winning this race has been the best day ofmy career," said an elated Lindley after the race. "Not only that, it hasbeen the best day of my life." Zeiger and Hill battled for the final position on the podium, until Ziegerfinally pulled away with only a kilometre to run.

The rain began to clear in time for the start of the men's race and the sunbegan to dry the soaked roads. When the athletes hit Hawrelak Park Lake inthe men's race, the crowd had grown even larger, in anticipation of aperformance by the Canadian hero and Olympic Champion, Simon Whitfield.

Stephane Poulat (FRA) established an early position at the front of thefield in the swim, with team mates Franck Bignet and Frederic Belaubre onhis feet. Into transition from swim to bike and the first ten men wereseparated by only ten seconds, including Craig Watson, Matt Reed and HamishCarter (NZL) and Csaba Kuttor (HUN).

With co-pre race favourite Chris McCormack around 30 seconds behind, theleading group didn't seem to find a working structure quickly and before theend of the first lap, McCormack was leading the race. Caught up in theattack to reach the leaders had been McCormack's rival, Whitfield, alongwith the remainder of the Australian team, including Robertson, Chris Hilland Miles Stewart.

At precisely the same timing and location as Sekine in the women's race,McCormack's efforts to reach the lead were undone, as he his tyres hit wateron the road. Incredibly, McCormack climbed back on his bike after losingsome skin on the road and set about closing the gap once again, having losta further 30 seconds.

Several individuals attacked on the bike, however none were successful untilthe combination of McCormack and Richard Stannard (GBR) with a little lessthan two laps remaining. Next Miles Stewart (AUS) burst from the main packto jump across to the lead and was joined only by Robertson. The breakawayfour established a solid 30 second buffer before they dismounted the bike.

Alike Lindley, Robertson hit the lead and accelerated away from the field inthe opening minutes of the run leg. A class chase pack, headed by Whitfield,and containing Hill, Watson, Ivan Rana (ESP) and Andrew Johns (GBR) set outafter the leader.

McCormack, the World Champion in 1997 with a huge running talent, succumbedto the injuries sustained in the earlier bike crash and was unable to finishthe race. However his valiant race served his team mate well.

With a lap to go, Robertson glanced at the big screen as he ran past andgrinned, and it became increasingly apparent that the only race remainingwas that for runners up. As Robertson saluted the crowd, running backwardsdown the finishing straight, positions jostled for the medals and, in afinal burst, Hill pulled away from Watson, Rana and Johns, who placedrespectively.

"The attack on the bike was the deciding factor in that race," saidRobertson. "I always knew I had it in me and I'm relieved and happy that nowI've done it. It wasn't only for me, because I am the final product.thereare a lot of people out there behind me."

Robertson is able to celebrate his victory with his family, as his parentshad travelled to Edmonton with the dual purpose of watching the WorldTriathlon and Track and Field Championships, as his sister and brotherin-law will race for Australia in the marathon in a few weeks.

Photographs of all competitors (Junior, Athletes with a Disability,associated events and more) at the ITU Triathlon World Championships areavailable from the Allsport archives, at www.allsport.com<http://www.allsport.com> .

However, further information, Nici AndronicusSportsworld Media Groupnici.andronicus@sportsworld.net+44 7 8877 87402 (mobile onsite anytime)