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Blatchford Starts 2007 with a Win

Monday, 5th March 2007

Britain's Liz Blatchford made a winning start to her season with victory at the Luke Harrop Memorial Sprint Triathlon on Australia's Gold Coast.

Blatchford, who had to take two months off training to recover from a calf injury following the 2006 ITU Triathlon World Championships, surged away from the women's field on the 5km run to take the win ahead of World Championships bronze medallist, Felicity Abram of Australia, and a resurgent Michelle Dillon. Dillon, who suffered throughout 2006 with a prolonged back injury, hit form in Australia to finish ahead of Australia's Loretta Harrop who led out of the swim. Britain's other elite competitor, Leanda Cave, finished in ninth.

In the men's race, Brad Kahlefeldt of Australia took the win just ahead of the French pairing of Olivier Marceau and Tony Moulai. Britain's Stuart Hayes finished in fourth place just 10 seconds behind Kahlefeldt in a close race.

All of the athletes are now looking ahead to the start of the BG Triathlon World Cup Series which starts on 25th March at Mooloolaba on Australia's Gold Coast.