JUNIORS STEP UP TO THE MARK AFTER MICHELLIE’S GOLDEN START

 

 

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Triathlon Australia, August 29, 2014: In a day that started out celebrating another golden moment for legendary Australian triathlete Michellie Jones it finished with a double celebration for the future generation.

Jones turned back the clock to add another world title to her impressive list of achievements when she clocked the fastest time of any age grouper on the day to win her first ITU Age Group World Sprint distance title in the 45-49 years age group.

 

And by the afternoon three youngsters she had addressed in the Australian Team Meeting in Edmonton just last night, kick-started their own careers with some outstanding performances.

Tasmania’s Jacob Birtwhistle and Gold Coaster Calvin Quirk flew the Australian flag to finish with silver and bronze in the ITU World Junior Triathlon Championship after Nanging Youth Olympic gold medallist Brittany Dutton had stormed home to finish an encouraging sixth in the Junior Girls.

Birtwhistle and Quirk gave Australia a flying start, emerging from a red hot field of 70 starters.

Birtwhistle, 19, in his final year in the Under 20s, felt agonisingly short of the gold in a dramatic sprint finish with Raphael Montoya of France

after a neck and neck race to the finish with 17-year-old Quirk a fast finishing third.

A group of over 40 riders battled the four laps on the tricky bike course before the "charge of the light brigade' through transition and it didn't take long for Birtwhistle to dictate the run.

Quirk, competing at his first world championships, positioned himself early in the run and with coach Dan Atkins yelling encouragement in the final stages charged past his competition to grab the bronze.

"It is a whole lot better feeling than finishing sixth in London last year - and although it would have been nice to take the gold, it is satisfying to get on the podium and with Calvin, who did a great job," said Birtwhistle.

"I feel like I have grown so much in the past 12 months and I feel I am ready to take the next step into the senior ranks."

Australia’s Matt Roberts finished 25^th with Daniel Coleman 47^th.

JUNIOR MEN’S RESULTS

 

BRITTANY’S CHEERS IN JUNIOR GIRLS

In the girls race, Youth Olympic Games gold medallist Brittany Dutton has stormed home to finish sixth in the ITU Junior World Triathlon Championships in Edmonton today.

Unable to bridge the gap with the lead pack of seven and two girls in between on the tricky 4-lap bike course, Dutton held her own until the five kilometre run when she stormed home to peg back five girls in a spirited sprint to the line.

"I'm stoked with that result," said 16-year-old Dutton, who admitted she had to be extra careful on the tricky corners on the bike.

"I had to make sure I was at the front going into each of the corners to avoid any crashes."

Unfortunately fellow Australian and Queenslander, Sophie Malowiecki, was a victim of the tricky bends and fell, forcing her out of the race.

Dutton and Malowiecki came out of the water together and rode in the same group.

The 17-year-old suffered superficial wounds and bruising which left her shaken in the medical tent after the race.

Australian Performance Director Bernard Savage and Elite coach Jan Rehula were quickly on the scene to assist and accompany the tough-as-teak schoolgirl back to the medical tent.

"She's a tough kid and thankfully there is nothing broken," said Savage.

Australia's other competitor, WA's Kira Hedgeland, was uncharacteristically further back in the swim than normal and as hard as she tried couldn't peg back the leaders, finishing strongly for 15^th.

JUNIOR GIRLS RESULTS

 

NO KEEPING UP WITH THIS JONES GIRL

Earlier in the day, there was no keeping up with the Jones girl, who went on to become one of the world’s greatest triathletes, after growing up in Wollongong, eventually settling on to the Gold Coast and who now resides in San Diego.

Jones led the field out of the swim and was never headed as her competitive nature swung into gear and she picked off competitors who had started in the waves before her 45-49 years age group.

In the end it was a swim, bike and run back through memory lanes for the two-time ITU World Champion, Hawaiian Ironman winner and Olympic silver medallist from Sydney when she made her debut in the ITU Age Group Sprint race run in conjunction with the World Championship Grand Final at Hawrelak Park.

Jones, 44 and in her 25th year as a professional triathlete, was a clear cut winner in the 40-44 years age group after emerging from the water first after the 750m swim before clearing out on the 19.4km bike and finishing off the race with an eye-catching five km run - just like the Jones of all.

"It was a fun little course; up and down; it’s a sprint race and you’ve just got to go as hard as you can right from the start," said Jones, now based in Carlsbad, where she also enjoys her other love, Equestrian.

"I came out of the swim first; there was a little bit of lactic acid straight up the bill on the bike but I like that and the wind’s picking up, which made it a little tougher for us old folk, but the run was awesome, you're running on trail which I love and with so many Australians in the crowd cheering me on, it was amazing...I'll be back," said the Australian Hall of Famer.

“Everyone is trying to get to the finish, you get to pass people, some people pass you back and I just tried to pick off a many people as I could.

“There were so many supporters out there yelling go Aussie; it’s so patriotic and you’re not just doing it for yourself, you’re doing it for your country.

“I just wanted to come out and have a go and this is what I wanted to do to race the world championships.

“I haven’t pulled on this green and gold suit since 2003 and it doesn’t matter whether you’re a pro or an age grouper, it’s yourself against everyone else.”

Adding to old time week was the reception she received when she crossed the finish line with Canada's favourite triathlon son, good friend and Sydney Olympic gold medallist, Simon Whitfield waiting to present the medals and he saved a special hug and kiss for his fellow Sydney 2000 medallist.

"I told him he'd better wait for me," said Jones, who shared one of her greatest moments with Whitfield on the steps of the Sydney Opera House when triathlon made its Olympic debut.

Among the other Australian medallists today were: Ken Murley (Gold 70-74 years male); Craig Davis (Silver 25-29 years male) Kate Bramley (Bronze; 25-29 years female); Xavier Flynn (Bronze 35-39 male); Jennifer Strack (Bronze 55-59 years female); Richard Burnell (Bronze 55-59 years male) and Greg Salter (Bronze 60-65 years male)

Jones was one of almost 300 Australian Age Groupers and Elites who have converged on the city of Edmonton for the ITU Triathlon World Triathlon Championship Grand Final

Tomorrow will see the U23 men; Elite women and Elite Paratriathlon tomorrow; the U23 women and Elite men on Sunday and Open Paratriathlon, Age Standard Distance and U23/Jnr Mixed Teams Relay on Monday.

 

Issued on behalf od Triathlon Australia by
Ian Hanson| Media Manager Triathlon Australia
Media Manager, 2014 Australian Commonwealth Games Team
Deputy Media Manager 2016 Australian Olympic Team
Media Manager 2014 Pan Pacs