Coldwell (GB) and Wilde (NZ) win the World Series Triathlon Events in Yokohama
Sophie Coldwell (GB) and Hayden Wilde (NZ) win the latest round of the World Triathlon Series in Yokohama.
The lead up to the Yokohama race started with an earthquake in the early hours of Thursday morning where whole hotels shook… not exactly ideal for preparation to the second race of the World Triathlon Championship Series.
The funny thing, come race day no-one but meteorologists seemed to care about the earthquake, or the fact that buildings were shaking.
The only rumblings heard during the race were ‘foot-quake’s’ as the athletes pounded the tarmac in the final leg as the athletes headed towards the blue carpet for that illusive podium spot.
In the women’s race Britain’s Sophie Coldwell pulled ahead in the run leg and finished with a time 1 hour, 53 minutes, 32 seconds. to take the win with Rosa Maria Tapia of Mexico running through to take second with a time of 1:53.49 followed by Taylor Knibb of the United States in 1:54.02 to take the last podium spot..
Coldwell who had a good swim and bike leg took the lead on the 10K run right from the start and held on for her first win of the season. She is ranked No1 on the leader board following her second place in Abu Dhabi. Second placed Tapia became the first Mexican athlete to podium at a WTCS event and claimed her first career WTCS medal.
Britain’s Kate Waugh claimed her best finish in a WTCS race in fifth place to raise her overall standings on the leader board. Following a sub-standard swim Georgia Taylor-Brown had it all to do in the chasing pack, managing to finish the race in a credible 7th place.
Full women’s results here
In the men’s race Kiwi Hayden Wilde took the lead on the second lap of the 10k run as he showed a pair of heels to reigning WTCS champion Leo Bergere and never looked back as he stormed to victory in a time of 1 hour, 42 minutes, 13 seconds
There was real excitement for the remaining podium spots as on the last lap of the 10k run leg there were eight contenders battling it out: Frenchman Bergere and his compatriot Dorian Coninx, Adrien Briffod (SUI), Matt Hauser (AUS), Jelle Geens (BEL), Henri Schoeman (RSA) Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) and Vasco Vilaca (POR).
It was a home straight battle that saw the young guns of Hauser and Vilaca push to the front to take silver and bronze. Vasci Vilaca of Portugal is now leading the overall standings having gained a silver medal in Abu Dhabi and a Bronze medal here today.
Jack Willis of Britain finished 43rd while Barclay Izzard DNF.
Full men’s results here
