Second in
the rankings heading in to the Championship Finals but with the knowledge that
gold would also win a first world title, Great Britain’s Beth Potter rose to
the occasion in Pontevedra on Sunday afternoon, her imperious 10km seeing her
become the first British World Triathlon champion since Vicky Holland in 2018.
There was
work to be done out of the water to ensure that the front pack was in reach out
onto the 40km bike, and it was in the closing stages of the first lap that she
succeeded, working well with Kate Waugh to bridge up. From that point on, the
front group hoovered up the course and 15 athletes came into T2 together. A
lightning transition, and Potter had daylight over Cassandre Beaugrand and the
French number one never quite recovered, the two Brits flying through the 10km
to take gold and silver, Beaugrand building up to a big finish for bronze.
Sixth place for France’s Emma Lombardi saw her win the Series bronze.
“This has
been a dream season, I am really lost for words,” said Potter. “I wasn’t
actually feeling too good on the swim and bike today so I had to work quite
hard. I really backed myself and focussed on all my training. I felt really
good on the run. It was really nice to run with my teammate and see her get her
first Series medal. That was the goal, winning the World Championships. I was
very determined, I am not surprised but it’s been tough. Thanks to those who
have supported me.”
Kingma
and Seregni spearhead swim
Numbers
one and two Beaugrand and Potter lined up together for the non-wetsuit, 1500m
swim, but it was Seregni predictably driving things, with Olivia Mathias right
on her feet early on, Potter and Beaugrand wedged in the middle of the main
pack as they came back for the end of lap one.
Back onto
the platform it was Seregni from Mathias and Maya Kingma, Taylor Spivey,
Potter, Beaugrand and Emma Lombardi all together just 10seconds back, Jorgensen
also well set in the middle of the pack.
Their
second pack was struggling to stay on the front six, it was Sophie Coldwell,
Kingma and Mathias out together, Beaugrand with a short window over Potter.
Potter
bridges up fast
The Brit
was onto her bike with Waugh and Laura Lindemann to try and catch onto the
Spivey and Beaugrand group. Lindemann was first to bridge, Spivey joined and
then Potter and Waugh were finally able to make it over before the end of lap
one. First possible moment of danger dealt with.
USA’s
Gwen Jorgensen got onto a big group led by Lisa Tertsch at the half-hour mark,
Summer Rappaport also dropping in that group.
Rappaport’s
race was then over on lap three with an injury, but it was Kingma making a play
out front and stretching things, the chasers losing ground some 40 seconds back
as a result despite the efforts of Julie Derron, Nina Eim and Zaferes.
That
group began to organise itself better from the halfway point and the gap stuck
around the 40 second mark, ass Jorgensen was dropped off the back, and then the
margin slowly reduced with every passing lap.
Pitch-perfect
10km finale for title
It was
Lombardi, Waugh and Potter out of T2 first, Beaugrand slow to get into her
runners, then an early burst from the Brits helped them pull away with Lombardi
over lap one, Beaugrand dropping to run alongside Coldwell and Lehair six
seconds off the front trio.
Waugh
held firm alongside her teammate until Potter found her now-familiar extra gear
to close off a resurgent Beaugrand threat, the Brit powering on into the
stadium one last time and down the blue carpet for glory, silver for Waugh who
was followed over the line by Series runner up Beaugrand in third. Lisa Tertsch
took fourth, Rachel Klamer also a brilliant run for fifth and a guaranteed
fourth Olympic start at Paris 2024. Sixth for Emma Lombardi saw her take the
Series bronze.
"I
have been training really well and my confidence has been increasing over the
season," said a thrilled Waugh. "I am a bit speechless. Its all
happened so quickly, it's the best year of my career. I told myself that after
U23s I would commit and do everything to qualify for Paris and that's what I am
doing."
"It
was so hard because I put so much on my Olympic distance," admitted
Beaugrand. "I am always cramping and I was just trying to keep the pace
and I was very worried about my run. It was getting better at the end but I was
already too far away. I was trying to believe in myself but I was just not the
best today. I didn't have the best start in the swim but I was still in and I
think I was very good on the bike and I was feeling really good in the race. I
don't know why I am sad as I know I was very close to it. I would like to thank
my team and I wanted to bring the title for everyone around me, I have an
amazing team."
"I
am really, really happy," said Lombardi, "it's my second season with
the Elites and I am really happy with third overall. I am a bit disappointed
with my place today for the race, but I will take the positive with the podium
overall. Next year my main goal is to go to Paris so I will do my best and I
will train more, and train harder, to be there for Paris in July."
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