World Triathlon

The triathlon season officially got underway this weekend with the World Cup circuit having kicked off in Mooloolaba on Saturday. But the World Cup was just one of several races to take place, with South Africa, Mexico, and the US having hosted ITU events. Check out these quick race recaps to stay in the know on the 2013 triathlon season.

Mooloolaba ITU World Cup
Anne Haug (GER) continued on in 2013 where she left off last year, the 2012 World Triathlon Series grand final winner taking out the opening ITU World Cup of the year in a hot and windy Mooloolaba today. Haug showed her strength on the bike and run to destroy a quality field, leaving Jodie Stimpson (GBR) and local hope Emma Moffatt (AUS) in second and third place with 2012 world number 3 Andrea Hewitt (NZL) in fourth. Results and full race recap

Javier Gomez (ESP) moved to second on the all time list of ITU World Cup triathlon wins with his 13th career victory in Mooloolaba. Gomez coped brilliantly in the conditions however, surprising given he has struggled throughout his career on such days. Matt Chrabot (USA) and Peter Kerr (AUS) battled stride for stride for the minor placings, with the American finishing two seconds ahead of the Oceania Champion, who picked up his first ITU World Cup podium. Results and full race recap

Sarasota ITU Triathlon Pan American Cup
Although American Sara Mclarty led after the swim, a flat tire opened the opportunity for Canadian Olympian Paula Findlay to strike. After a challenging 2012 season, Findlay led from T2 until the finish to capture the win in 1:57:51. Spain’s Carolina Routier crossed over second in 1:58:12, while the Czech Republic’s Vendula Frintova took third in 1:58:44.

The men’s race saw a last-ditch sprint effort from Joao Pereira (POR) to overtake Tommy Zaferes (USA) in the final 200 metres. Pereira took gold in 1:44:33, while Zaferes crossed over two seconds later. Miguel Arraiolos joined his compatriot Pereira on the podium for third in 1:45:08. Full results

East London – Buffalo City ITU Triathlon Premium African Cup
Belgium’s Katrien Verstuyft beat out a start list of South Africans at the Premium African Cup in South Africa with the fastest run split by nearly a minute. She won the race in 2:07:39, while Kate Roberts (RSA) took second in 2:08:24. Carlyn Fischer (RSA), who led the swim, earned bronze in 2:09:14.

Henri Schoeman (RSA) put up strong swim and run times to win the race in East London-Buffalo City. Wian Sullwald (RSA), the reigning ITU Junior World Champion, was the fastest man on the bike, earning him silver in 1:57:47. Austrians Andreas Giglmayr and Lukas Hollaus were spectacular on the run, with Hollaus posting the fastest split by 30 seconds. However, it wasn’t enough to overtake Giglymayr who earned bronze in 1:57:47. Full results

Vina del Mar ITU Triathlon Premium Pan American Cup
Europeans Lydia Waldmuller (AUT) and Daria Pletikapa (CRO) were two of the top ladies at the Vina del Mar Premium Pan American Cup this weekend. Waldmuller was the fastest women of the day by two minutes. Despite trailing significantly heading into T2, Mexico’s Michelle Flipo overtook Pletikapa on the run for silver.

In the men’s race saw a much closer battle, with the top three men working together until the run to secure a podium position. It was Jason Wilson (BAR) who finally pulled away with the fastest run split to win in 1:44:10. Irving Perez (MEX) was second in 1:44:27, while Felipe Barraza (CHI) was third in 1:44:45. Full results