After action in Japan, China and Italy, a hectic weekend of international triathlon concluded on the other side of the world in Chile as Iquique hosted the latest Americas Cup race. An Olympic distance event was on offer and the racing may have had decisive consequences for one of the European battles to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games.
Women’s race
Sinem Francisca Tous Servera may have struck the definitive blow in the European women’s New Flag race. The Turkish athlete claimed a crucial victory in Iquique while, just as significantly, her direct rival Ivana Kuriackova did not finish.
Kuriackova led swim in a time of 21:06 while Tous exited the water 1 second behind. It was on the that Tous then pounced. She broke away from what was a small field – only six other women raced – and her opponents could not react quickly enough. In a marvellous showing, Tous gained over 3 minutes and arrived in T2 with the win all but assured. She subsequently ran to victory by 1 minute 56 seconds.
When Kuriackova then did not finish, a near perfect day was completed for the Turkish athlete. As a result of her win, Tous climbed eleven places in the world rankings to 50th. Importantly, her result has helped her to holds off Roksana Slupek (for now). Sluepk won the Asia Cup in Taizhou and climbed nine places to 53rd. Both Tous and Slupek will race the Samarkand World Cup this weekend for what is shaping up to be a crucial showdown in the European New Flag race.
Meanwhile, Rosa Elena Martinez Melchor was the fastest female runner in Iquique (35:33) and took 2nd place while Daniela Moya Chamorro took 3rd place for the home team.
Men’s race
Kauê Willy of Brazil was a cut above his rivals in Chile as he recorded a comprehensive victory. Willy was the fastest swimmer (18:26) and put much of the field on the back foot in the water. Once onto the bike, he did not let up.
Early out of T2, a front pack of six athletes came together as Felix Duchampt, Fernando Jacome, Carlos Javier Quinchara Forero, Pedro Felipe Souza Fernandes Silva and Cristóbal Baeza Muñoz joined Willy. Where Tous had made a key move in the European women’s New Flag race, Duchampt was looking for the same outcome in the men’s competition. Likewise, Jacome and Baeza were keen to add another home team medal.
Amid good collaboration, the front pack extended their lead over the chase pack to over a minute. Then, on the run, Willy asserted himself once more.
The Brazilian athlete added the fastest run split to his field-leading swim, clocking 30:17 for the 10km. He therefore crossed the line to win by 26 seconds.
Duchampt was the best of the rest and claimed the silver medal. As a result, he climbed four places in the world rankings to 59th and his European New Flag hopes should be secured. Jacome then added a second bronze medal for the Chilean team as he held off Quinchara by 2 seconds in a final sprint.
View the full results here.
