27 Elite women lined up on Ahuriri Beach, the east coast of the New Zealand's North Island, to contest in the 2025 World Triathlon Cup Napier, to commence the World Cup season.
As the women made their way out of the rolling waves of the 750m swim, it was Australia’s Zoe Clarke, Emma Jeffcoat, Canada’s Desirae Ridenour and New Zealand’s Ainsley Thorpe who showcased strength in the swim portion of the sprint-distance race (750m swim/20km bike/5km run) to lead the field of women into the first transition of the day.
AN EARLY BREAKAWAY
The medallists all came from an early breakaway group, who established themselves out of the water and in the first lap of the bike course.
The chase pack on the bike featured many top contenders on the start list, that included Italy’s Verena Steinhauser, fellow compatriot Illaria Zane, USA’s Erika Ackerlund, Bermuda’s Erica Hawley among other top-ranked athletes in the field who weren't able to match the pace and power of the race leaders, losing time each lap.
The leading group of women worked hard hard to bridge an extensive gap on the rest of the field and New Zealand’s Eva Goodisson took her turn up front and delighted the home crowd.
THE CHASERS
Australia’s Richelle Hill took control of the chase pack alongside Charlotte Derbyshire, also representing the green and gold.
On the bell lap of the 4 lap bike course, the leading women stayed low, powered with intent and kept away from the rest of the field. They continued to navigate their way through the final stage of the bike course and it was evident that it was going to come down to a 5km running blitz around the town of Napier.
Into the final transition of the day and not much was separated Jeffcoat, Ridenour and Thorpe. The leading women led out onto the run together, each sensing the opportunity of claiming the first World Cup victory of the 2025 season.
Goodisson showed strong early season form and made her way into fourth position. On the final stretch of the 5km run, the young New Zealander was nudged into fifth place but still impressed the home crowds.
Olympians and pre race favourites Verena Steinhauser (ITA) and New Zealand's Nicole Van Der Kaay found themselves in 6th and 16th place respectively.
A RACE FOR THE AGES
The elite women’s race in Napier was one for the ages as Desirae Ridenour (CAN), Emma Jeffcoat (AUS) and Ainsley Thorpe (NZL) left it until the final blue carpet dash to the line, with Ridenour proving quickest in the sprint, ahead of Jeffcoat in second and Thorpe who rode the cheers of the home crowd all the way to the line in third.
ATHLETE REFLECTIONS
Desirae Ridenour CAN
“It feels amazing, I have come so far in the last year and a half. I am just so happy to be here and competing and at the pointy end of the race this time. I am very happy.”
“I am really happy with my swim. I think I have been a little inconsistent over the last couple of years and I am happy to make the front pack. We had a solid group of girls working together and I honestly don’t think I would have won if it wasn’t for them because we worked so hard and got a massive gap. I really just tried to conserve my energy on the run and I know I have a sprint in me at the end, I’ve left a lot of races to a sprint so I kind of knew I potentially had it in the back end.”
“Going into the second lap, it was hard to tell what everyone else was doing so I focussed on myself. I knew I had some extra energy, I usually negative split the backend so I potentially knew I had it but you never know how others are feeling.”
“I currently live in New Zealand so I will do some other Oceania races and potentially do Yokohama, we’ll see about that one and head over to Europe for French Grand Prix racing and other races.”
Emma Jeffcoat AUS
“I am so happy. I think everyone knows how hard it’s been over the past six years and I think for so long I thought I would never get back on the podium. To start the season with such a strong race and to feel like myself again when running. This race is just not for me, it’s for everyone who thought they can’t do it and lost belief. Honestly, just keep believing because when you keep showing up, magic can still happen.”
“We are all strong riders, but we could have all worked a bit more efficiently together. But it’s the start of the season and everyone is getting in the swing of racing.”
“I felt really comfortable. I have been running well in training but sometimes it doesn’t translate which is frustrating, but today it felt so good that when I got on that run, I felt like I could go toe-to-toe with Ainsley (Thorpe) and Des (Desirae Ridenour). I back my sprint finish, but Des (Desirae Ridenour) was the better sprinter today so kudos to her, but I am so stoked to take a silver medal.”
“Hopefully a consistent season and back on some World Series start lines and this happy face back racing. I have always said a happy and healthy athlete is one who will be consistent and longevity and hopefully gave good performances, that is what I want for Emma this year.”
Ainsley Thorpe NZL
“I was a little bit disappointed crossing the line, I really wanted the win today. I heard the crowd chanting ‘Ainsley’ which was really cool. It was awesome to have a home race. First race of the season doesn’t usually go that well for me so to get a medal at the first World Cup of the season, I should be happy with that.”
“I felt fine swimming, I actually didn’t feel great today. That one run pace was fine but I didn’t have much left in me for that extra part, which is disappointing because I usually have a good sprint finish. A little bit disappointed that I didn’t have a sprint finish today but I still got third so I can’t complain.”
“It’s so amazing. I remember last year I got eighth and I was so gutted because it was on home soil and so just to be out here with the crowd and to get that medal is so cool and for the crowd to see a kiwi in the podium.”
Race photos can be found HERE.
Race replay can be watched on TriathlonLive.tv.
Full results can be found online.
