Alistair Brownlee is World Junior Champion

Saturday, 2nd September 2006

British triathlete, Alistair Brownlee raced to an impressive victory to take the World Junior Triathlon Championship title in Lausanne, Switzerland, earlier this morning.

Brownlee and younger brother, Jonathan, exited the swim in the leading pack of athletes to give themselves the best opportunity for success. Unfortunately Jonathan suffered mechanical failure and failed to complete the bike leg, whilst Alistair positioned himself well through transition and out onto the run course.

By the half-way mark on the 5km run, the Leeds athlete had established a five second lead over eventual runner up, Alexander Brunhankov of Russia. The young star used his incredible endurance to extend his lead and crossed the line clear of the Russian. Britain's other athlete, Ritchie Nicholls from Scotland, was left in the second pack on the bike, but had a superb run to place himself in sixth place making it two Corus Great Britain athletes in the top 10.

The 18-year-old Champion said after the race he had hoped for a medal in Lausanne but was surprised by the win.

"I thought I might have a chance of a medal but I didn't expect this," he said.

Junior Boys Results

	Name	Country
1	Alistair Brownlee	Great Britain
2	Alexander Brukhankov	Russia
3	Joao Silva	Portugal
6	Ritchie Nicholls	Great Britain

In the Junior Girl's race, Corus British athlete, Abbie Thorrington led out of the swim with fellow Brit, Hollie Avil in close contention. Unfortunately Abbie fell on the bike leg when she collided with a fellow athlete on one of the slower corners. She lost ground and dropped off the pace, but bravely continued. Kirsten Sweetland of Canada pushed on the run to take gold, with Flora Duffy of Bermuda in second. Avil finished a respectable 11th after a solid run, with Thorrington further down the field in 25th.

Junior Girl's Results

Rank	Name	Country
1	Kirsten Sweetland	Canada
2	Flora Duffy	Bermuda
3	Rebecca Robisch	Germany
11	Hollie Avil	Great Britain
25	Abbie Thorrington	Great Britain

 

Source:  British Triathlon

More info:  http://www.britishtriathlon.org/news