World triathlon champion, the Gold Coast’s Emma Snowsill, has added her first Australian National Olympic distance title to her belt, winning the Geelong Triathlon in sensational form today.
She crossed the finish line in 2h 2m 10s, more than one and half minutes in front on second placegetter Annabel Luxford with Brisbane teenager, {exp:tag_this}Felicity Abram {/exp:tag_this}running down veteran Nicole Hackett, to take third.
The in-form Triathlete of the Australian female scene, Snowsill led from the start, coming out of the 1500m swim first and leading the 40km bike, before being caught by the chasing pack of Luxford and mother of one, Hackett, on the bike.
A shoe fumble in transition for Snowsill, saw Luxford dart from the change and take the early lead in the 10km run but she was soon mowed down by the petite Snowsill who stretched the lead to cross the finish 1min 35secs in front of Luxford.
Abram’s third was impressive, the 18 year old overtaking Hackett and her two minute plus lead in the final run leg, to secure the third podium spot.
But while Snowsill made it look easy, she said her legs felt like lead.
“I could not get them going, I thought I need to stop and have a stretch. I don’t know what my problem was I couldn’t get my shoes on, I just felt shaky and couldn’t get myself together. I always try to go out as hard as I can and I saw Annabel up the road and I had to pin her down as fast as I could.
“But I had a strong day overall, which I am happy with, so that is all I can ask for.
“I felt pretty good in the swim. I don’t like the wetsuit swims but today it was pretty good for me and on the bike I felt strong but the lapped courses always take that little bit more out of you and being cold, that is probably why I felt the way I did on the run.
“The circuit type of racing with the multi laps and u-turns and a hill like that really takes the sting out of your legs.
“I finally got my Australian title. To come into Triathlon and try and take an Australian title is pretty near impossible with the depth of Australian girls talent. There is never a lull in the field and you have to take it when you can. It is just as hard as winning a World Championship,” said Snowsill.
Twenty three year old Snowsill has already secured her 2005 World Champion selection with a win at Hobart in February; but Luxford’s 2nd will secure her a position in the team for the world champs in Japan, subject to ratification by the selection committee tomorrow (Monday). Luxford was the 2004 under 23 World Champion.
“This was my first race back from a broken wrist. I crashed my bike in training at the end of January,” said Luxford after the race.
“Everything is all healed, I just need to get a bit more swimming fitness and brush up on the technical side on the bike, it was a bit rusty.
“I have made the under 23 team before but it is a big step to make the open team. It is always full of great athletes.”
Victory also gave Snowsill the ITU Oceania Regional title.
Full race results available on the Triathlon Australia Website.