Our very own Jodie Swallow closed out the World Cup season with a dominating performance to win the Tongyeong ITU Triathlon World Cup today.
Using a solo breakaway early on the bike, she held her lead right through to the finish to win her first career World Cup title more than 90secs. Triple Olympian Anja Dittmer of Germany out-sprinted Spain's Ainhoa Murua for the silver.
"It's amazing," said Swallow at the finish area. "I wasn't really expecting it."
Swallow was first out of the water and also first out of T1 with Radka Vodickova and Neiske Becks close behind. But on the first lap, Swallow decided to break away and go on her own.
Hammering it on the moderately hilly 40km bike course, Swallow built a one minute lead by the midway point.
The main chase group, which included many of the top contenders including reigning Under 23 World Champion Emma Jackson, Murua, and France's Carole Peon and Dittmer, continually lost time with every lap.
By the bell lap, Swallow's lead grew to almost 90secs and when she stepped onto the flat 10km run course, she owned a lead of more than two minutes.
Shortly into the run, it was clearly going to be a tall order for the other women to reel Swallow in.
By the first lap, Peon, Dittmer and Murua emerged as the other serious podium contenders. The trio slowly dug into Swallow's lead but as they entered the bell lap, Swallow was still running strong and looked to have the victory sealed.
The real battle was going to be for silver. Past the midway point, Peon started to struggle with an Achilles injury and quickly faded back leaving Dittmer and Murua to fight for second. Running side by side on the final lap, the German veteran kicked into another gear and pulled away for the silver, the 17th career World Cup medal of her illustrious career. Murua took bronze for her first ever trip to the World Cup podium.
Ireland's Aileen Morrison finished 4th while Becks rounded out the top five. Peon struggled with injury but hung tough to finish the race in 6th position.
Tongyeong ITU Triathlon World Cup
Final Results - Elite Women
1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
1. Jodie Swallow (GBR) Click here for audio interview
2. Anja Dittmer (GER) Click here for audio interview (English & German)
3. Ainhoa Murua (ESP) Click here for audio interview (English & Spanish)
