Jodie Stimpson recorded her best ever finish in an ITU World Triathlon Series race with fifth in the Grand Final in Auckland, New Zealand. Stimpson, a rising star of the British Triathlon scene has enjoyed an excellent second half of the season and came to New Zealand confident of a good result.
The race was won by Germany’s Ann Haug won the race by 12 seconds from fast-finishing Gwen Jorgensen (USA). Barbara Riveros Diaz of Chile was third, but it was Lisa Norden in 4th who secured the world title having had a consistently good season. The Olympic silver medallist took the overall World Title despite a hospital visit the night before the race, receiving treatment for food poisoning.
Stimpson’s performance in such esteemed company has cause great excitement for her future. She said afterwards:
“ I’m ecstatic, really chuffed and excited for next season. I hammered the first bit of the bike and managed to get in (to the lead pack) and played it sensibly, and then got on the run and was amazed how slow it was until the last lap. The last lap started to pick it up and it was all about who’s got the run legs left.”
There was further cause for celebration for the British triathletes as Non Stanford won the Under-23 World Title following a thrilling head to head race against Holland’s Sarissa De Vries. London 2012 Olympian, Lucy Hall, led out the swim and Stanford worked hard after the exiting the water to catch the lead group.
She was frequently in the lead on the bike and immediately took up the lead with De Vries on the run. The pair ran together for 9km before Stanford pushed the pace and claimed the world title.
She said afterwards: ”It was the dream scenario, but never has one of my race plans gone to plan! For it to actually go right for once is absolutely unbelievable. It happened on the right day! It was a quality field out there with really strong runners. I struggled on the first few laps of the bike but I managed to ride up to the lead group. I got on the run and kept my head down and eventually broke free.”
Beth Shine, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
Image Credit: British Triathlon / www.ScottieT.com
