World Triathlon

Strathclyde Park near Glasgow hosted its first Olympic distance elite race last weekend as the British Triathlon National Championships tested out the proposed venue for the 2014 Commonwealth Games triathlon.

Jodie Swallow returned from the opening leg of the Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Series with victory over local favourite Kerry Lang whilst Jodie Stimpson took bronze.

Swallow said: It went really well for me today, yes it was a tough race and really hard work but I enjoyed it and am in good shape and proved that today. The cold wasnt an issue, I didnt notice it which is a good sign.

But there was disappointment for Scottish champion Catriona Morrison, from Broxburn in West Lothian. The 32-year-old was forced to withdraw during the bike stage due to a stomach illness. Morrison, who is the reigning World Long Distance duathlon champion, was frustrated at being unable to finish the race.

The mens race was won by British Olympian Will Clarke. The 24-year-old cruised to victory to notch up his second British Championship win in succession.

It was a fantastic first race of the season and it couldnt have gone better,” said Clarke. “I love winning a race like that and it was a great confidence boost for the season ahead. I love the course here now Id come back every weekend to race if I could.

World and European Under23 Champion in 2006, Clarke is hoping to continue his impressive form in the senior ranks, with the London Olympics in 2012 a key focus.

He said: Im definitely aiming for the Olympics in three years time as well as the Commonwealths here in Glasgow in 2014. Hopefully my form will continue so theres a lot to look forward to.

Clarke was in the front pack out of the water, and built up an impressive lead over the bike leg which proved invaluable when he took a tumble from his bike with 2km remaining.

My gears were clunking around and I hit the deck. My tyre rolled off so I had to put that back on - I was looking over my shoulder to see how much the others were catching up. The gap went from over a minute to down to about 20 seconds, but luckily Id built up a good lead and was able to keep pushing on the run.
The British Championship silver medal was won by Aaron Harris, competing over the Olympic standard distance for only the third time. Bronze went to Dann Brook from Sheffield.

Alongside competitors from the home nations of England, Scotland and Wales, there were athletes from Australia, Jersey, Slovenia and Ireland.

El Strathclyde Park, cerca de Glasgow alberg su primera carrera lite de distancia Olmpica el pasado fin de semana en los Campeonatos Britnicos de Triatln, para probar la sede propuesta para el triatln en los Juegos de la Commonwealth de 2014.

Jodie Swallow regres de la primera carrera de las Series de los Campeonatos del Mundo de Triatln ITU Dextro Energy para hacerse con la victoria por delante de la favorita local Kerry Lang, mientras que Jodie Stimpson se hizo con el bronce.

Swallow coment: Realmente fue un buen da para m, fue una carrera difcil y realmente me emple a fondo, pero disfrut y demostr que estoy en buena forma. El fro no fue un problema, no me di ni cuenta, as que eso es una buena seal.

Pero fue una decepcin para la campeona escocesa Catriona Morrison, de Broxburn, en West Lothian. La atleta de 32 aos se vio obligada a retirarse en el segmento de la bicicleta debido a una enfermedad estomacal. Morrison, la actual Campeona del Mundo de Larga Distancia, estaba frustrada por no poder terminar la carrera.

La carrera masculina la gan el atleta Olmpico Britnico Will Clarke. El atleta de 24 aos de edad consigui su segunda victoria consecutiva en los Campeonatos Britnicos.

Ha sido una primera carrera de la temporada fantstica y no ha podido ir mejor, dijo Clarke. Me encanta ganar una carrera como esta y supone un incremento de mi confianza para lo que queda de temporada. Me encanta este recorrido y si pudiese volvera todos los fines de semana aqu para correr.

Clarke, Campen del Mundo y de Europa Sub23 en 2006, espera continuar con su impresionante momento en la clasificacin snior, teniendo los Juegos Olmpicos de Londres en 2012 como uno de sus objetivos principales.
l coment: Entre mis objetivos principales estn los Juegos Olmpicos de dentro de tres aos y los Juegos de la Commonwealth que se celebrarn aqu en Glasgow en 2014. Tengo muchas esperanzas de estar el plena forma para entonces.

Clarke sali del agua en el grupo de cabeza y logr una gran ventaja en el segmento de la bicicleta, la cual result inapreciable tras caerse de la bicicleta a 2 km para la llegada.

Se me sali la cadena y se quedo enganchada en la rueda. Como no poda continuar mir cual era mi ventaja y rpidamente solucion el problema y continu la carrera. La ventaja se redujo de un minuto a veinte segundos. 

La medalla de plata en el Campeonato Britnico fue para Aaron Harris, que competa en distancia Olmpica por tercera vez. El bronce fue Dann Brook de Sheffield.

Entre los participantes adems de las naciones britnicas,Inglaterra, Escocia y Gales, tambin haba atletas de Australia, la Isla de Jersey, Eslovenia e Irlanda