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Lauren Campbell and Kyle Jones lead Canadian sweep at Edmonton ITU Triathlon World Cup Edmonton, Canada (8 July 2012) – For the first time since 2001, Canada has swept gold at an ITU Triathlon World Cup with Lauren Campbell and Kyle Jones both breaking through for their first career World Cup titles. Canada went 1-2 in both races, thrilling the home crowd in Edmonton. Elite Women’s Review: At the site of her ITU World Cup debut ten years ago, Canadian Lauren Campbell brought it all full circle, running away to her first career World Cup title. In a race that doubled as the Canadian Championships, Campbell was crowned National Champion, anchoring a Canadian gold-silver sweep as Sarah-Anne Brault came across second for silver. Bermuda’s Flora Duffy took the bronze. “I’m shocked, I’m absolutely shocked,” said Campbell at the finish area. “I didn’t have any expectations for this race, I really didn’t think I was going to win.” A gorgeous and hot day greeted the small elite women’s field for the first sprint distance World Cup of 2012. After the 750m non-wetsuit swim, Duffy led the women out of the water with a sizable lead over Japan’s Eri Kawashima. By the time Duffy left T1, she was up by more than 20 seconds and set out for the 21.3km bike course solo. Duffy extended her lead over the field to 35 seconds after the first lap, but the chase group of about nine women worked together to trim the lead to ten seconds. Duffy was eventually reeled in by the end of the third lap, resulting in about 12 women in the lead group. They rolled into T2 together but it was Duffy again who shot to the lead and first onto the 5km run course. Campbell left T2 in sixth place but soon showed off her running prowess, passing her fellow Canadians and soon running with Duffy at the front. Campbell surged ahead for good and capped off her first World Cup victory with the day’s fastest run split at 17:16 while breaking the tape at 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 42 seconds. “I didn’t have ideal preparation and I came here hoping for a top ten, some prize money but when I saw myself in the lead I went for it,” said Campbell. “I love it here, it was my first World Cup in 2002 so it’s fun to return ten years later and win.” 2012 Edmonton ITU Triathlon World Cup – 8 July 2012
Final Results – Elite Women – 750m swim, 21.3km bike, 5km run 1. Lauren Campbell CAN 01:04:42 2. Sarah-Anne Brault CAN 01:04:52 3. Flora Duffy BER 01:04:56 4. Ellen Pennock CAN 01:05:24 5. Chantell Widney CAN 01:05:31 6. Manon Letourneau CAN 01:05:39 7. Joanna Brown CAN 01:05:45 8. Lindsey Jerdonek USA 01:06:10 9. Eri Kawashima JPN 01:06:16 10. Alexandra Coates CAN 01:06:23
Elite Men’s Review In a powerful sprint to the finish line, a jubilant and Olympic bound Kyle Jones (CAN) took the gold and charts his first World Cup and National title win in the men’s race that followed. Fellow Canadian Alexander Hinton, made his first trip to the podium in his World Cup debut, taking silver. Jarrod Shoemaker (USA) followed the Canadian pair to take the bronze. “To pick up my first World Cup win and National title this weekend is awesome”, said Jones. “I came into this race, with four weeks of big training under my belt. I didn’t know how I would react, whether I would be tired but regardless, I wanted to push hard and I am very pleased.” Under the sun’s strong rays and high temperatures, the men entered the water for their 750m swim instantly forming a gigantic pack. Upon swim exit, Andrew McCartney (CAN) took a two second lead on Nils Frommhold (GER), followed closely by Mitchell Kealey (AUS) and Adam Bowden (CAN). A mostly uneventful bike leg saw a group of 24 ride together, a group that included almost all the big pre-race favourites. Former World Champion Tim Don led the men into T2, and shot out onto the run course with Jones not far behind. Jones was able to drop Don and was soon running at the front of the field with Manuel Huerta of the U.S. But as they neared the business end of the 5km run, no one could keep pace with Jones who powered to his maiden ITU World Cup victory, stopping the clock at 57 minutes, ad 33 seconds. Hinton put in a huge last surge to take silver, while recording the fastest run split of the day at 14:52. Full review to come on triathlon.org. 2012 Edmonton ITU Triathlon World Cup – 8 July 2012
Final Results – Elite Men – 750m swim, 21.3km bike, 5km run 1. Kyle Jones CAN 00:57:33 2. Alexander Hinton CAN 00:57:36 3. Jarrod Shoemaker USA 00:57:41 4. Tim Don GBR 00:57:45 5. Manuel Huerta USA 00:57:49 6. Adam Bowden GBR 00:57:51 7. Cesar Saracho MEX 00:57:54 8. Matthew Sharpe CAN 00:58:11 9. Andrew Yorke CAN 00:58:24 10. Nils Frommhold GER 00:58:33
