ITU World Long Distance Championships, Fredericia
Monday, 15th August 2005
This year the triathlon friendly Danish town of Fredericia played host to the ITU World Long Course Championship, the distances for which are normally 4k, 120k, and 30k. The day dawned fresh and fair contrary to the weather forecasts which had spoken of ongoing rain and wind. But due to a water temperature hovering around 15 degrees celsius, the Baltic swim was reduced to 3k for the age groupers - a decision greeted with general enthusiasm by the British contingent.
In fact the swim still seemed the most daunting task of the day, due to the massed hordes of jellyfish which had gathered around the swim start for their own version of a caravan club weekend. The official briefing confirmed what various recces had already shown, namely that the "firefish" variety had trailing tentacles which upon contact with the skin left a burning scar. Medics at T1 stood ready with razors to shave the toxic residue from the skin and apply ointment before athletes set off on the bike leg.
Were the ladies better able to tough out these slings and arrows of outrageous Fredericia? It certainly seemed so.
Great Britain fielded a strong elite team in the ladies event. Abi Bayley more than justified her selection with a fine seventh place in 6.37.21 behind a dominant Kathleen Smet of Belgium who won comfortably in 6.19.05. Bella Comerford came through strongly on the run to make eleventh place in 6.44.22 followed by Rachel Horn in thirteenth who limped home bravely despite an acute achilles problem in 6.47.58. Ann Fallows finished comfortably further down the field. Reigning European champion Sara Gross and Louisa Edmonston both pulled out during the run with stomach problems.
In the men's event Viktor Zemtsev of the Ukraine seized the initiative when local Danish hero Torbjorn Singballe dropped out after lap one of the run having led throughout, with a reoccurence of a long standing knee problem. Zemtsev picked up the pace, moved into the lead, and fought aggressively through to the end to finish in 5.41.39. Ex professional cyclist Steve Bayliss looked menacing in seventh place halfway through the run, but ultimately faded to eleventh in 5.52.33 - still a first class time. Russell Kober finished 23rd in 6.05.07 and Nick Saunders 31st in 6.09.04.
In the age group event, the ladies had a fine haul of four medals most notably in the 30 to 34 age group where the statuesque Eldrydd Davies won in 6.58.59 and teacher Ruth Elliot came third in 7.01.08. But it was another teacher, pocket rocket Jeannie Fry in the 40 to 44s who was our fastest lady winning her age group in 6.57.50 and placing second overall in the ladies' category. Sue Allen also achieved a fine third place in the 55 to 59s.
In the men's event it was the masters who led by example with Steve Walton placing third in the 55 to 59s and Geoff Gearing second in the 70 to 74s. Fastest Brit was Rich Stabler in the 25 to 29s in 6.20.21.
The full results are to be found on www.fretri.dk.com
Article By Ian Howard, GB Team Manager, British Triathlon Association, 15 August 2005 .