BARB
LINDQUIST WINS IN ISHIGAKI AND RETAINS HER WORLD #1
TITLE
Ishigaki,
Japan: Weather conditions on the idyllic Okawa
island of Ishigaki were perfect for triathlon today
at the start of the women's World Cup event. Slightly
overcast, air temperature 25oC, with a light breeze
off the South China Sea. The traditional Ishigaki
drummers welcomed the women to the pontoon start as
the crowd began to gather.
Early
into the 2 lap-1.5km swim, the lead group at the front
contained few surprises: Americans Barb Lindquist,
Sheila Taormina and Joanna Zeiger, along with Australians,
Nicole Hackett and Loretta Harrop. With about 200
metres to go Hackett and Zeiger dropped off the pace,
although Hackett recovered lost ground in the transition
and was able to head off on the bike with the leaders.
Zeiger had to cycle alone for 2 laps until she was
swallowed up by the chase group which consisted of
the 2001 World Champion, Siri Lindley (USA), Carla
Morena of Brazil, Pip Taylor of Australia, Susie Stark
of the USA and Machiko Nakanishi of Japan. With a
two-minute deficit on the leaders, the chase group
had their work cut out from the start.
Over
the 6 lap-40km bike course, the front pack of 4 increased
their lead on each lap - 2 minutes after 4 laps, 2:40
after 5, then to an insurmountable 3:10 on the final
lap. The 12 trips up and down the bridge proved too
much for the chase pack on this day, despite a valiant
effort from Siri Lindley to drag the group within
reach of the leaders.
From
the second transition to the final kilometer of the
run, Barb Lindquist and Loretta Harrop ran shoulder
to shoulder. It wasn't until the final downhill off
the bridge then onto the flat section to the finish
that Barb put the move on Loretta - a challenge to
which the three-time winner of the Ishigaki World
Cup would not be able to respond. Lindquist's lead
in the final moments increased to 25 seconds.
Meanwhile
the battle between Nicole Hackett and Sheila Taormina
became a see-saw struggle for the final step on the
podium. In the end, it was Hackett who pulled out
all of the stops, taking Sheila at the line by 7 seconds.
Carla
Morena of Brazil posted the fastest run split of the
day to come in 5th, with Joanna Zeiger 6th and Siri
Lindley 7th.
The
crowd of 28,000 that lined the course were delighted
with the dramatic finish to the race.
ITU
President Les McDonald stated his delight in the spectacular
competition, "The Japanese Triathlon Federation
do a wonderful technical job, and combined with the
support of this community and the great spectacle
by the athletes today - it's a great day for our sport.
Top 10 Results: Complete results available on www.triathlon.org
Place
/ Name Country Finish Time
1. LINDQUIST, Barbara USA 1:56:53
2. HARROP, Lorette AUS 1:57:29
3. HACKETT, Nicole AUS 1:58:29
4. TAORMINA, Sheila USA 1:59:01
5. MORENA, Carla BRA 2:00:36
6. ZEIGER, Joanna USA 2:01:47
7. LINDLEY, Siri USA 2:02:17
8. TAYLOR, Pip AUS 2:02:34
9. ANISIMOVA, Nina RUS 2:04:05
For
more information, please stay tuned to www.triathlon.org
For
further information, please contact ITU Headquarters
at ituhdq@triathlon.org
