Helen Jenkins and Will Clarke recorded top 10 finishes at the second round of the the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship in Seoul today, 8 May. Jenkins was ninth, while Clarke finished 10th.
For the women, Kerry Lang made a good start, forming an early breakaway in the swim in the Han River. She committed to the breakaway but was absorbed by the chasing packing containing Helen Jenkins, Vicky Holland and Hollie Avil. On to the 10km run, current and past world champions prepared for an exciting battle to the finish line.
Switzerland’s Daniela Ryf won in final stretch, topping world number one Barbara Riveros Diaz of Chile and reigning world champion Emma Moffatt of Australia. Jenkins finished 45 seconds behind the winner, recording her best result of the season so far.
Vicky Holland finished 19th, Hollie Avil was 22nd and Kerry Lang finished 26th.
Will Clarke finished 10th, one place ahead of former World Champion, Tim Don. After almost a year out through injury from the ITU circuit, Olly Freeman exited the water in fourth place and Don briefly led the race on lap two of eight on the bike. All three British men finished the 40km bike leg at the front of the main pack.
Clarke suffered a fall mid-way through the run, but recovered to achieve a top 10 finish. Olympic Champion Jan Frodeno produced an impressive sprint to surge to victory one second ahead of Australia’s Courtney Atkinson. Britain’s Olly Freeman finished 16th in his first start for 11 months.
Head Coach Joel Filliol commented: “It was encouraging for Jenkins’ to move on from her season debut in Sydney, and bodes well for her progression towards the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championships, London in July.
"With all three GB males finishing in the top 16, it was an encouraging start to the 2010 campaign in a very competitive field.
“The team now moves on to the next event in Madrid on 5-6 June, where they will be looking to move up the rankings toward to major events of the season.”
See highlights now at www.triathlon.org
