ITU
World Cup Triathlon - Cancun 04/11/2001
Tropical
Hurricane Michelle No Match For ITU World Cup Triathletes
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Men's Race Report / Women's
Race Report /
Full Men's Results / Full
Women's Results / Final
Rankings report
A
late season hurricane skimmed the coast of México
this weekend, however the buffeting winds and tropical
rains could not dampen the spirits of Sheila Taormina
(USA) and Greg Bennett (AUS) as they took victory
in the ITU World Cup Cancún. On the line in Cancún
was not only a World Cup race, but also the final
opportunity for athletes to earn World Ranking
and Olympic Qualifying points for 2001.
Women's
Race Report
The women were not deterred by angry waves as they
plunged definantly into the Carribean Sea. Due to
Coastguard Authority ruling, the course was required
to be reduced to a one thousand metre swim, while
the bike leg was cut to 38.8km due to some flooding
on the road. Emerging first from the water was an
American quartet, led by World Cup debutante Susie
Stark , Taormina, Barbara Lindquist and Laura Reback.
The
leaders' margin was slim, from Sandra Soldan (BRA),
Becky Gibbs (USA), Leanda Cave (GBR) and Barbara Koesser
(GER). However the leaders pushed the pace immediately
and stretched their 20 second lead to a minute during
the first of six laps on the bike. At the half way
point of the bike, the aggressive pair of Taormina
and Lindquist made a successful breakaway from Reback
and Stark, who were swallowed by the chasing group
of nine athletes.
Meanwhile a third chasing pack was beginning to move
on the field, significantly containing former World
Duathlon Champion, the Scottish Stephanie Forrester
(GBR). Taormina and Lindquist fought to retain their
lead and went into transition two with a 1.05 lead.
Taormina attacked out of transition, improving around
15 seconds for each of the four laps on the run from
Lindquist. Cave and Koesser were apparently battling
for third, before a storming Forrester caught all
but Taromina during the final 2.5km lap.
'I knew that I had won when there was around five
hundred metres to go,' said an elated Taromina, Atlanta
Olympic Swimming Gold Medalist. 'I felt during the
whole race that I had to concentrate on keeping
positive thoughts mentally. I
had to keep telling myself, 'I can do this, I can
win this race!' I am really happy that I didn't defeat
myself!'
Men's
Race Report
By the start of the men's race the wind seemed to
have subsided a little. Andrew Johns (GBR) led the
race early, however it was compatriot Richard Stannard
(GBR) who was the first to exit the swim. Close behind
was Matt Reed (NZL), Xavier Llobet (ESP) and Stephane
Poulat (FRA).
The
ensuing rains added a greater challenge to the race
and the formation of packs were constantly changing.
For some in the leading group, a stray dog running
onto the course ended the race. Frederic Belaubre
(FRA) and Chris Moffatt (GBR) were unable to f
inish,
while Johns, Martín Krnavek (CZE) and others lost
contact with the lead bunch. By transition two, Greg
Bennett had worked hard toghether with Rasmus Henning
(DEN) and Doug Friman (USA) to catch the leaders.
Jose Merchan (ESP) also rode with the chasing pack
to join the lead. A tight group containing Merchan,
Poulat and Bennett quickly formed. 'I tried to break
away at the 2.5km point," admitted Bennett. 'But then
I realised that the wind was too much and it could
be a mistake to run alone.'
The
decisión to run with a group was an anxious one for
Bennett, who was surprised at the running ability
of Merchan. During the final kilometres it was Poulat
who first dropped away from the lead, then Bennett
took control with only three hundred metres to run.
'After a year of second places, I'm finally back on
the winner's podium,' said Bennett. "The most important
part of my race was to catch the first group on the
bike, and I worked hard with Rasmus [Henning] and
Doug Friman [USA] to achieve that. I owe part of my
victory to them today.' Bennett's
success importantly lifted his world ranking to 10th,
while Poulat moved into eigth, relegating Olympic
Champion Simon Whitfield who had managed to hold a
top ten position.
Final
Race Rankings
At
the top of the world rankings ladder, Chris Hill was
elated to retain his World Cup title for 2001. 'It's
a great honour to win the title for the year. I didn't
start the year with such a grand ambition, just wanting
to do the best I could in each race of the series.
I'm totally happy with the year and I owe it to my
parents who have been so supportive throughout my
career.' Craig Watson (NZL) and Andrew Johns (GBR)
finished the season at second and third. Taormina's
result significantly improved her world ranking from
27th to 16th, while Forrester improved from 14th to
10th and Lindquist from 5th to 4th. Meanwhile the
first three ranked women remained unchanged, with
Lindley, Loretta Harrop (AUS) and Michellie Jones
(AUS). Full results, world rankings and pictures are
available at www.triathlon.org
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