Katie Zaferes continued her return to the world of elite triathlon at the Americas Cup race in Sarasota. Coming only one week after her return at WTCS Abu Dhabi, she would be taking on the Sprint distance once more.
In addition to Zaferes, a number of talented youngsters in both the men’s and women’s races toed the start line in Sarasota. For many athletes, it represented the first race of their seasons.
Women’s Race
A double punch of Sarah-Lee Hevey and Diana Castillo put the field under immense pressure in the swim. Hevey led the swim out at the recent Americas Cup in La Paz and her swim was on form once more in Sarasota.
Both Liberty Ricca and Madisen Levin were able to get onto the lead duo’s feet. Thereafter a line of athletes including Noemie Beaulieu and Zaferes dashed into T1 to make up the gap.
On the bike, a group peeled off on the front as Zaferes put all of her experience to good use. Beaulieu and Castillo were among the eight women that led the way with Zaferes. Both Ricca and Lavin, though, fell into the chase pack. So too did Ekaterina Shabalina as the lead group gained over a minute.
Into the closing stages of the bike, it seemed Zaferes had put herself into the perfect position to take her first win after her maternity break.
As she surged away from most of her fellow leaders in the early stages of the run, a perfect ending was being written to this latest small chapter. However, Amber Schlebusch of South Africa did not quite get the memo.
Schlebusch only has three Americas Cup results to her name since early 2020. A promising Junior, she won the Youth Olympic Games title in 2018 and the African Junior title in 2019. In recent years, though, she has not been on the radar.
On the run in Sarasota, Schlebusch held firm against Zaferes and pulled ahead on the first of the two laps. As much as Zaferes fought to close the gap, she had no answer to Schlebusch’s wonderful run.
At the finish line, then, Schlebusch took the gold medal by 12 seconds. It was a brilliant display against a vaunted veteran of the sport.
For Zaferes, silver marked another positive forward step on her return. With every race she will edge closer to her prior peak and become an increasingly dangerous proposition for the field.
Sofia Rodriguez Moreno of Mexico managed to overhaul Castillo to earn the bronze medal.
Men’s Race
Fast swimming had been the order of the day in Sarasota and the men’s race did not disappoint on that front. A number of men battled to lead the way and in the end it was Aiden Longcroft-Harris, the recent winner at the La Paz Americas Cup, that emerged first.
Benedikt Bettin of Germany was amid the trio of men on Longcroft-Harris’ feet. Meanwhile, John Reed of America lurked 20 seconds adrift.
Longcroft-Harris and Bettin were quick to strike out together on the bike, forming a two man breakaway.
As much as they pushed, though, they were eventually engulfed by a charging group including Reed, Ka’eo Kruse and Mathis Beaulieu. Having lost 41 seconds to Longcroft-Harris in the water, Beaulieu’s recovery on the bike was particularly impressive. He narrowly missed the fastest bike split of the day for his efforts and pulled shifts like a hyper-charged Duracell bunny.
Onto the run, Beaulieu continued his energetic showing as he pulled away from Bettin and Longcroft-Harris with Reed and Kruse. As the most experienced of the field, Reed appeared to be the early favourite for the win but it was hard to call.
Such was the excitement, it seemed the finishing arch could not quite take it. As the men ran, the arch began to sag and lose air. A couple of intrepid officials managed to rescue it, though, and ensure one of the leading trio would be able to savour their moment in the sun. As Kruse slipped off the pace, Beaulieu powered ahead to take the lead on the first lap.
Although, Reed out-split Beaulieu on the second lap, it was too little too late.
Beaulieu’s elation was clear as he fist-pumped his way to the finish line. And for good reason. The gold medal was a well-earned reward for a classy performance.
Sarasota was not his first Americas Cup win; Beaulieu won one in Stockton last October. It will be therefore be interesting to see what he prioritises for the season. Being born in 2004, he will be eligible for the World Junior Championships. Yet with his nascent Senior success, maybe his focus will lie elsewhere.
Reed finished second, a mere 4 seconds ahead of Kruse in the end.
Bettin came home in 4th while Longcroft-Harris took 5th.
View the full results here.
