Canadians shine in Aquathlon event

Canadian men, British women sweep respective podiums

Canadian Mathew Sharpe held on for a 14-second win in the Aquathlon Elite Men’s Division at the ITU Multisport World Championship Festival on Friday in Penticton.

Sharpe clocked a time of 29 minutes and 55 seconds, with fellow Canuck John Rasmussen second at 30:09.

Brennen Smith, also of Canada, finished third overall and first in the under-23 men’s category in 30:25.

The Aquathlon — the fourth of six world championship competitions at the inaugural festival — featured a 1 km swim and 5 km run.

There were men’s and women’s Elite/Under-23, age group, open wave, junior and para-triathlete divisions. The juniors did a shorter distance race.

Emma Pallant topped the Elite Women’s division at 34:30 with fellow British athlete Jacqueline Slack second at 35:28.

Chloe Pollard, also of Great Britain, was third overall and first in U23 women in 35:34. Other results are as follows: AGE GROUP: Men, Robert Lightowler, Gr. Britain, 30:31; Women, Taryn Ryan, New Zealand, 36:49.

OPEN WAVE: Men, Michael Kruger, Denmark, 36:37; Women, Lena Uvalle, 41:57.

JUNIOR: Men, Aiden Longcroft-Harris, Canada, 30:11; Women, Delia Sclabas, Switzerland, 34:35.

PARATRIATHLETES: Brian Martin, Canada, 44:50.

A total of 543 athletes took part, with the vast majority (444) competing in the age group race. There were 58 in Open Wave, 27 in Elite/U23, 11 in Junior and 3 in Para-triathletes.

The 10-day festival wraps up on Sunday with the Long Distance Triathlon and Aquabike competitions.