Click here for our homepage Click here for our homepage
Lausanne World Cup

Click here to return to Lausanne World Cup Home Page

Siri Lindley (USA) wins Lausanne World Cup for the second year in a row.

25 August 2001- Media Release

Lindley continues to dominate while Hug upsets ITU World Cup Triathlon Lausanne

On a magnificent summer's day, World Champion Siri Lindley (USA) continued her absolute domination of triathlon, while Reto Hug (SUI) upset the favourites in the ITU World Cup, Lausanne.

The temperature hovered around 28 degrees, but the racing was blistering as the women got underway at 2pm. The clear favourite was always Lindley, who has not been beaten in her last six ITU World Cup and World Championship starts.

Click here for full results.

However Olympic Champion Brigitte McMahon (SUI) returned to ITU World Cup racing in Lausanne, having taken time out for the birth of her daughter three months ago. As the local Swiss favourite, McMahon was a chance to upset.

The pair swam together for the 1500 metres and exited the water in a large pack containing any contender for the victory. Heading out for the 40 kilometres of steep climbs and technical descents were twenty one athletes together, including Wieke Hoogzaad (NED) and Anja Dittmer (GER) the other podium finishers in Tiszaujvaros last weekend.

The lead group was soon whittled away on the demanding course, as Barbara Koeser (GER), Kathleen Smet (BEL), Silvia Gemignani (ITA), Leanda Cave (GBR) and Ingrid Van Lubek (NED) used their strength to drop the less experienced cyclists.

Meanwhile, Annie Emerson (GBR) who had more than two and a half minutes deficit after the swim was powering on the bike to bridge the gap by one minute, with the fastest bike split of the day.

Off the bike and Hoogzaad had the fastest transition and for a while looked as though she could damage the untarnished record of Lindley. Having finished within 30 metres of Lindley last weekend, Hoogzaad knew she needed to start fast if she had a chance against Lindley.

However the determination of Lindley was unmatched and she forged ahead on the steep bridge that lead the competitors over the spectators. The positions were quickly established from there and maintained for the ten-kilometre run. Hoogzaad and Dittmer repeated their podium position performances and McMahon impressed with a fourth place.

Emmerson stormed home through the field to finish fifth.

Soon after the finish of the women's race, the men were away, with Craig Watson (NZL) a contender for the ITU World Rankings leadership, the favourite together with former World Champion Chris McCormack (AUS).
Courtney Atkinson (AUS) established a good lead and looked comfortable in transition in comparison to the large group jostling for position behind him. Watson, Andreas Raelert (GER), Marc Jenkins (GBR) and Maik Petzold (GER) had a tidy break of 20 seconds from Bevan Docherty (NZL), Axel Zeebroek (BEL) Hug and McCormack.

The lead wouldn't last and these three were quick to close the gap. There were several charges on the bike, but McCormack was 'marked' since his break away in Edmonton last month and shadowed on every move.

Into transition the race became intense as Raelert, Petzold, Docherty, Watson, McCormack and Hug applied the pressure. Running as a group for the first lap of three, McCormack increased the intensity after four kilometers.

The first to lose touch with the speed was Watson, along with any hope of securing the top ranking spot this weekend. Soon after Raelert and then Petzold were dropped, with around two kilometers to race.

McCormack was dominating the race, Docherty seemed in control and Hug appeared to be about to fade. A grimace indicated that the pace was tough for the Swiss favourite.

With only a kilometer to run, Hug seemed to find an additional level and shocked the competition to surge ahead. McCormack did not give up and fought to reel the small gap back. Hug held on for a stunning victory before an adoring Swiss crowd. The first three crossed the line within seven seconds.

Petzold was ecstatic with his fourth position, in front of Watson and Raelert, in an impressive hint of the future of German triathlon. The next event on the calendar is the ITU World Long Distance Duathlon Championships in Venray, Holland on 9 September.

A news feed will be available from the ITU World Cup, Lausanne: Date: Sunday 26th August Time: 09.15 - 09.25 GMT Access: at BT Tower Local ends: Telecom 2D, Transponder 9, Channel 1 Downlink Reference: 11563.1 / Y6.111. FAC 3/4 / Encoding NDF 420 Contact: Globecast +44 (0) 207 7533640 for bookings

Allsport pictures will be available, free of charge for editorial use, immediately following the race, by request or from the Allsport archives. Visit www.allsport.com or contact Nici Andronicus on the details below.

Sportsworld Media Group are pleased to offer comprehensive media services from this race, including facilitation of interview or picture requests. For any further information or media opportunities, please contact:

Nici Andronicus ITU Account Director +44 7887 787 402 (mobile/cell) +44 20 8780 4600 (office)

Complete Results

top of page