Don’t tri and stop Australia’s in-form women
THE purple patch of Australia’s female triathletes has continued, with Sarah Crowley the latest to claim global glory.
Despite a stumble at the start, Brisbane’s Crowley claimed an unexpected victory at the world long distance championships.
Just seven days after compatriot Felicity Sheedy-Ryan won her second world duathlon crown, Crowley was crowned long distance world champion in Canada.
While Gold Coaster Ashleigh Gentle recently won a World Series race and on Sunday raced off with a bronze in a major international triathlon in Stockholm.
Crowley early yesterday became the latest woman to star with her domination of the gruelling 3km swim, 120km bike and 30km run course. Australia’s Josh Amberger and Joe Gambles then won silver and bronze in the men’s race.
After recording the fastest cycle split of the day to be just over two minutes behind off the bike, Crowley was forced to wait until the second leg of the run course to take the lead.
“It is pretty unreal,’’ said Crowley after claiming her maiden world crown.
“I didn’t go into today expecting that at all, everything just went to plan other than falling over at the start of the swim. But I did have a good day though.’’
Crowley beat Denmark’s Helle Frederiksen, who she overtook in the run, with Canadian Heather Wurtele third.
Former world 70.3 champion Mel Hauschildt was ninth.
Local Lionel Sanders won the men’s race after overcoming a flat on the bike and then overtaking early race leader Amberger on the final run.