Triathlon head coach, Bill Davoren, is on a mission to win gold in Beijing next year and he was all smiles after Brad Kahlefeldt and Emma Snowsill triumphed ...
Triathlon head coach, Bill Davoren, is on a mission to win gold in Beijing next year and he was all smiles after Brad Kahlefeldt and Emma Snowsill triumphed in the first International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup race for the 2007 season at Mooloolaba on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Around 25,000 spectators lined the course in the steamy 32 degrees heat on March 25 to watch the world’s top triathletes battle it out for a share of US$100,000 prize money and Olympic qualifying points.
Kahlefeldt, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist, stamped his authority on the men’s race. After the opening 1500 metre swim leg he trailed the leaders but worked with the chase group over the technical 40km bike leg to reel them in. At the mid way point in the 10km run he made a break and in a sprint finish he passed the number one ranked Javier Gomez of Spain to clinch victory in 1hour 49minutes and 23 seconds.
“I’ve shown (Olympic squad) selectors that I could perform on a hard course in tough conditions,” said Kahlefeldt, who won four World Cup races in 2006.
The Mooloolaba course had a generous hill that had to be climbed a painful eight times.
Australia had a remarkable 7 place-getters in the top 20 in the men’s race, they included: 1st Brad Kahlefeldt - 1hour 49minutes 27 seconds, 5th Courtney Atkinson -1.50.15, 6th Simon Thompson -1.50.25, 9th Brendan Sexton - 1.50.57, 12th Dan Wilson – 1.51.17, 13th David Dellow - 1.51.28, 20th Dan Hopper - 1.52.06.
New Zealand was the only other nation to have multiple finishers in the top 20 (3rd Chris Gemmel -1.49.39, 4th Bevan Docherty -1.49.36 and 8th Shane Reed -1.50.53).
The women’s race showcased 73 of the world’s top women including Olympic gold medallist, Katie Allen (Austria), three-time world champion Emma Snowsill and 21-year-old Vanessa Fernandes (Portugal) who was chasing a 13th World Cup crown.
In the opening 1500 metre swim leg a pack of 22 athletes formed, which included Australia’ Snowsill and Erin Densham as well as Fernandes. In the bike leg they worked together over the gruelling 40km then in the run leg 12 athletes, lead by Laura Bennett (USA), broke away. At the 5km mark Snowsill detached herself from the group and powered forward to her sixth world cup win in 1 hour 59 minuted and 20 seconds. Melbourne based Densham finished second, 31 seconds back then Fernandes (2.00.01).
“I didn’t know what to expect out there today because it was my first race of the year,” Snowsill said. “But I didn’t want to leave anything out there I gave it everything I had.” This was an amazing result for Snowsill especially since it was her 2007 debut.
Last month the Commonwealth Games gold medallist was struck down with a mystery virus that prevented her from competing in the sprint and distance national championships. In her absence Densham continued her rapid rise by claiming both titles.
In 2001 Densham quit triathlon due to a hip injury but in late 2002 her mother encouraged her to return.
‘I’m fairly new at this and am still learning all the time, I don’t know what to expect,” said Densham, the World under 23 champion. “I just love pushing myself to the limit. That’s why I’m doing it.”
Ishigaki, Japan is the next stop for the World Cup where more Olympic qualifying points will be up for grabs.
Sarah-Lucy Rice
