Road: Hollie Avil Takes Triathlon World Cup Bronze on Debut

Hollie Avil, the 2007 European and World Junior Triathlon Champion, booked herself a place at the final British Triathlon Olympic qualifying race in Madrid next month with an excellent third place finish on her World Cup debut on the island of Ishigaki, Japan.

The British triathletes swam well and found themselves in the lead pack of 18 riders on the bike course. With a continued effort the peloton pulled away from the chasing pack which included New Zealand’s Debbie Tanner and Germany’s Anja Dittmer to take a commanding two minute lead onto the run.

Three time World Champion, Emma Snowsill hit the front early on and stretched away from fellow Australian Erin Densham. Further back Avil fought out an epic battle with Japan’s Jude Ide and Canada’s Kathy Tremblay for third which lasted the entire duration of the 10km. With Tremblay dropped in the final kilometre it came down to a sprint finish, and despite the home support for Ide, Avil pulled away to take her first World Cup podium.

Avil said on her bronze medal:

"I'm really really really happy! My swim wasn't great but I never ever give up. I always say the race isn't over until the finish line and I knew that I could get onto the run still and give a good performance.

“At the end I thought it wasn't going to be easy on the run in to the finish, especially with a medal in contention. I knew I just had to hang on with Ide for the sprint finish. I didn't plan to go, I just went and felt good and didn't look back."

Scotland’s Kerry Lang finished in 12th, marking her best performance of the year, just ahead of Helen Tucker from Bridgend in 14th, who continues her consistent world cup finishing record.

British Triathlon’s Performance Programme Director, Heather Williams, commented:

“I am really delighted with Hollie’s result today. To finish on a World Cup podium in her first Olympic distance race is a fantastic achievement. The performances from Kerry and Helen are both extremely satisfying too as both went into the race with specific objectives which they achieved.”

Ishigaki BG Triathlon World Cup Women’s Results:
1. Emma Snowsill, Australia
2. Erin Densham, Australia
3. Hollie Avil, Great Britain
4. Juri Ide, Japan
5. Kathy Tremblay, Canada
-
12. Kerry Lang, Great Britain
14. Helen Tucker, Great Britain

DNF. Jodie Swallow, Great Britain

In the men’s race, Tim Don ran through from 17th to fifth on the run in another promising display ahead of the Olympic selection race in Madrid. Having missed the front bike pack with compatriot Will Clarke, the pair came into second transition over a minute off the leaders.

However a strong performance elevated Don up to fifth finishing just 31 seconds off the winner, Simon Whitfield from Canada. 2006 World Under 23 Champion Clarke also closed the gap to the winner as he moved up from 22nd to eleventh.

Ishigaki BG Triathlon World Cup Men’s Results:
1. Simon Whitfield, Canada
2. Rasmus Henning, Denmark
3. Ivan Vasiliev, Russia
4. Peter Robertson, Australia
5. Tim Don, Great Britain

-

11. Will Clarke, Great Britain

Athlete profiles can be found at: www.britishtriathlon.org/media

All images:Simon Grimmett / triathlon.org