Helen Jenkins finished second to Canadian Paula Findlay at the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series in Kitzbühel, Austria, repeating the result from Madrid two weeks ago. With an aggressive performance in the Alps, she once again demonstrated that she is one of the most consistent athletes in the world.
The swim was led out by Sarah Haskins (USA), with Jenkins making a decisive move to swim away from the main field to track Haskins’ rapid pace. The two got away and clear on the bike, riding through sunshine, rain and hailstones before being caught by the chasing group.
Jenkins was always at the front of the pack on the run, and slowly ground down the field until it was just herself and Paula Findlay left to fight for the win. The Canadian was the strongest in the final few metres, and claimed her fifth World Championship Series win.
Helen Jenkins said: “I’m happy with second. I wish we’d sat up and waited (one the bike) now but it is racing and you have to give it a go. I’d given everything by the end and from Madrid I knew I couldn’t beat her over the last 400 metres, so from 700 metres I really pushed on. I knew Paula was suffering but she was strong at the end.
“I risked it a lot on the bike today by going out with Sarah (Haskins). I knew she was a strong rider and you’ve got to try when you’re in that position; maybe next time.”
Jenkins won’t race the European Championships next weekend. She added: “I’ll probably miss Hamburg and just train for Hyde Park, that’s our Olympic selection, so I’ll do a good training block before that.
“It’s Olympic selection and everyone wants to be on top form for that, a lot of countries want to be on top form, but all you can do on the day is your best and that’s the best thing to focus on.”
Paula Findlay was delighted with her third consecutive win this year. She said: “It was a hard race. I have so much respect for Helen, she pushed the whole last lap and I wasn’t sure I could stay with her.”
Jodie Stimpson worked hard on the bike to bridge the gap to the leaders and put herself in a good position for the run. She finished 19th. Liz Blatchford was 27th.
The next round of the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series takes place in Hamburg 16-17th July before moving to Hyde Park 6-7th August.
Women’s results:
1. Paula Findlay CAN 2:05:52
2. Helen Jenkins GBR 2:05:56
3. Sarah Groff USA 2:06:27
4. Emma Moffatt AUS 2:06:31
5. Barbara Riveros Diaz CHI 2:06:41
6. Laura Bennett USA 2:06:44
7. Ai Ueda JPN 2:07:00
8. Erin Densham AUS 2:07:03
9. Svenja Bazlen GER 2:07:10
10. Nicky Samuels NZL 2:07:11
19. Jodie Stimpson GBR 2:08:01
27. Liz Blatchford GBR 2:08:27
DNF Kerry Lang GBR
Image: Delly Carr/ITU
