"I
love Canada," proclaimed Lindley to the vocal
Corner Brook crowd. "This is one of the toughest
races I have ever done in my life, I really felt like
I was pushing as hard as I could the whole way. But
it was worth it to be able to race for the crowd here!"
The
strain was showing early into the 10 kilometre run
for Harrop, who was immediately dropped by Lindquist
in the race for medals. Her efforts on the bike told,
as she slipped back, to eventually be swallowed up
by Hoogzaad, Smet, Soldan and a charging Montgomery.
The result was disappointing for Harrop, who has held
the highest World Ranking in triathlon for close to
a year. She lost that spot last weekend to Lindley
and now slips further behind.
Hoogzaad,
on the other hand, was elated. "I did not expect
I could catch the leaders, but I came through on the
run and I'm very happy with my race!"
Despite
her disappointing bike split, Montgomery clocked the
fastest run of the day. Her time of 35.23 was remarkable
on the incredibly tough run, which featured long,
steep hills and little respite.
During
the hour before the men's race was to begin, the wind
rose in Corner Brook, to add another dimension to
'The Rock'. As the men hit the water, the race became
personal, as World Championship silver medallist,
Chris Hill (AUS) and bronze medallist Craig Watson
(NZL), fought it out for the Number One World Ranking.
Both were within striking distance of the prestigious
position on top of the world. Hill took an early lead
in the swim, establishing a 20 metre gap from the
pack, chased by Watson. By the final stages of the
1500 metres, Stephan Bignet and brother Franck (FRA)
closed the gap and pulled the top twelve in the field
with them to the feet of Hill. The lead pack was stacked
with the experience of Miles Stewart (AUS), Matthew
Reed (NZL), Andrey Glushchenko (UKR) and Nick Radkewich
(USA) in his return race to the ITU World Cup circuit
since the Olympic Games.
While
a little behind out of the water, Sylvain Dodet (FRA)
jumped across to join the lead pack. Up and comer
Nathan Richmond (NZL) achieved the lead pack, only
to be dropped after two laps of punishment in the
hills. Several insignificant breakaway attempts came
from Watson, S. Bignet, Dodet and Krnavek, with no
effect. The
wind
limited the potential for a small group to gain any
advantage. Into transition two, and Krnavek took early
control of the race. While team mate, Philip Osplay
bravely held on for five kilometres of the ten, Krnavek
pulled away, leaving Hill for third. Krnavek was determined
to make up for his Olympic disappointment last year,
when he fell sick with a virus on the eve of the event.
The
newly crowned champion Knravek was complimentary of
the new bike route. "The bike was excellent &
the course was great for spectators which is the most
important thing."
A
news feed is available from the ITU World Cup Triathlon,
Corner Brook:
Monday
30th July 07.00 - 07.15 GMT Please contact Telecine
MCR, London for booking details on +44 (0) 207 208
2231 Local ends details are: AVC3 / Audio 366 A+B
Pictures are available at Allsport.
For
further information, interview or picture requests,
please contact:
Nici Andronicus In transit until Monday, London nici.andronicus@sportsworld.net
or on site:
Scott Mosher Promotions/Media Corner Brook Triathlon
Tel:+1 709 634.1153 media@triourworld.com
Final
results, pictures and further information at www.triahlon.org
.
The
next round of the ITU World Cup will take place in
Yamaguichi, Japan on 12 August. The ITU World Long
Distance Championships will be held in Frederecia,
Denmark, next weekend, 5 August.