Ainhoa ​​Murua, fifth in the World Series of Cape Town

Jodie Stimpson wins the sprint at the World Series in Cape Town

 

 

A bright Ainhoa ​​Murua has achieved a spectacular fifth place in his return this season to the Triathlon ITU World Series. The Spanish triathlete has stood out throughout a competition that reached Cape (South Africa) for the first time in its history.

 

The adverse conditions of the sea forced to delay the beginning of the test, and also to modify the planned initial route; going from the original 1,5 km to a single 750 m loop, in the vicinity of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

 

Once again, Carolina Routier again demonstrated her great conditions in this sector and left the water in first position, ahead of great specialists such as Lucy Hall or the Brazilian Pamela Oliveira. On the other hand Ainhoa ​​Murua was 10ª and María Ortega 11ª, 19 seconds and Melina Alonso was a little more behind 38 seconds away.

 

The Spaniard took the lead in the first transition and led the first meters of the 40 km of the cyclist segment, until the pursuer group managed to give chase. Thus, a head of twelve triathletes was formed in which circulated Routier, Murua, Hall, Oliveira, Helen Jenkins, Jodie Stimpson, Sarah Groff, Yuka Sato, Kirsten Sweetland, Vicky Holland, Mari Rabie and Anja Knapp. During the eight laps of the sector relays would be produced, working together to expand the advantage with respect to their pursuers.

 

Behind them, a persecuting squad that included the other two Spanish, Melina Alonso and Maria Ortega, tried to reduce distances without success. Since the leaders marked a very high pace and increased their advantage in each round. Completed the 40 km of this sector, the front group reached the T2 with an income higher than the 2 minutes, making it foresee that the fight for the victory would be centered in this squad.

 

At the exit of the T2, the British imposed a very strong stride, and among them, an impressive Stimpson that from the first measures was in the lead.

His compatriot Holland, would be left behind in the first kilometers of the stage, with only Jenkins, Murua and the American Groff managing to maintain the thrust of a Stimpson that had already risen with the win in the first round of this season held in Auckland. However, Jenkins would prove to be the only one capable of following Stimpson's wake.

 

The duel for gold was exciting, with the British Jodie Stimpson and Helen Jenkins maintaining a hard struggle, fighting side by side for the final triumph. After an exciting career, Stimpson he managed to get away from his compatriot in the last meters to undertake his triumphal entry into the goal, set on Granger Bay Blvd., in the area of ​​The Lookout. While after a prodigious race on foot, the American Gwen Jorgensen got the bronze medal, to overcome a disadvantage of more than two minutes and fifteen seconds at the exit of T2.

 

Murua from Guipuzcoa offered an impressive display, demonstrating her excellent state of form in her return to international competitions, which resulted in a sensational fifth final place in its premiere in the 2014 edition of the ITU World Series.

 

Finally the triathlete of Banyoles Carolina Routier, noticed in the course of the last 10 km of running, the wear exhibited during most of the segments of swimming and cycling, and entered the finish line in 34º place at 4 minutes and 52 seconds of the winner Behind, María Ortega finished in 42º place and Melina Alonso in 44ª position.

 

Tomorrow is the turn of the male elite from 15:00 p.m. (same time as in mainland Spain). A competition in which finally Fernando Alarza It will be low, and in which we will see Javier Gómez Noya in action, Mario Mola, Uxío Abuín, Vicente Hernández, Cesc Godoy and Ricardo Hernández.